Used 2021 Jeep Gladiator

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator is now two years old. It’s kind of thrilling to watch a youngster grow before our eyes. Especially one so full of promise as this. There are other midsize pickup trucks with off-road talents, like the Toyota Tacoma. But nothing else is based on the super-capable Jeep Wrangler. Nor can any other truck come with a convertible top.

Specialized and special, the 2021 Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 pounds and handle a payload of 1,600 pounds. Both figures are great for the class.

Think of the base Sport trim as a blank slate onto which an owner can add hand-picked options from Jeep and/or the Mopar catalog. The Overland naturally comes with more equipment, but is also eligible for a greater number of options. The Mojave is the dune racer of the lineup. Jeep’s usual practice is to apply a Trail Rated badge to the most off-road-focused of its vehicles. Now the company has created a Desert Rated designation especially for the 2021 Gladiator Mojave. The Rubicon is better suited to mud, rocks, and snow.

With a starting price in the mid-30s, the 2021 Gladiator mixes distinct Jeep styling and off-road talents with the impressive capabilities of a midsize truck with a 4-door cab.

Jeep decided to fit Dana 44 solid axles front and rear. Which is a good call for off-road shenanigans. On-road, not so much. However, a 5-link coil suspension at each corner works to make tarmac-based life civilized, and any vibration on the highway is more than bearable. There’s some road noise too, but no one buys a Jeep off-roader for Lexus-like hush.

The Mojave and Rubicon models have wider tracks, bringing extra stability, plus locking differentials (rear in the Mojave, front and rear for the Rubicon) and specialized suspensions from Fox, a well-respected 3rd-party supplier. The Rubicon underlines its off-road credentials with an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar for optimum axle articulation.

Torque is important in any context, but especially so off-road. Drivers need to access substantial low-end push when trying to clamber over big boulders. The standard gasoline V6 is respectable enough, but the diesel engine’s 442 lb-ft of maximum torque coming in at just 1,400 rpm is an off-roader’s idea of perfection.

Circular gauges and air vents pay subtle homage to Jeeps of old. The intention is to get dirty, as exhibited by the wash-clean interior with drain plugs, and Mopar slush mats are optional.

Beneath the rear seats (that can be raised) is a stowage area. Behind them is a standard lockable space, or an optional lockable/removable bin. The optional Bluetooth wireless removable speaker is stored behind the right rear seat.

Since the Gladiator is essentially a pickup version of the Jeep Wrangler, then its resemblance to that legendary off-roader from the back doors forward is natural. There’s the same Jeep 7-slot grille, foldable windshield, and removable doors.

The difference comes with the 5-foot bed. The whole thing seems designed with a set-square, but that’s not a criticism. Not everything has to be curvy with creases and character lines. And there’s an undeniable coolness about something that puts function far above frills.

The base Sport trim comes with steel wheels, a body-colored grille, and cargo bed lighting. A soft top is standard; a 3-piece body-colored hard top is among the options. The Mojave and Rubicon models have larger fender flares to house bigger all-terrain tires.

CONVERTIBLE OPTION
Although the Jeep Gladiator is a tough work truck, it also comes with options for a convertible soft top and a hard top. The doors come off and the windshield folds forward in true Jeep fashion for a complete open-air driving experience.

3-POSITION TAILGATE
Admittedly, two of these positions are open and closed, but Jeep makes a third. With the tailgate cable, a middle position is possible, making it easy to load larger items such as drywall or 2x4s that extend beyond the 5-foot bed. It’s a small yet thoughtful feature.

The Gladiator Sport trim level is pretty basic, with roll-up windows, cloth upholstery, 17-inch steel wheels, folding soft top, and a 5-inch infotainment display. Its hardware, however, is cool, including Dana 44 solid axles and all-wheel drive with a transfer case. There’s also trailer sway control, cargo bed lighting, and lockable storage behind the rear seats.

Overland is where power windows and locks (for the doors and the tailgate) kick in, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear glass, 115-volt outlet, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, two USB-C ports, and a 7-inch infotainment touch screen.

Every 2021 Gladiator is eligible for an 8-speed automatic transmission, with or without the diesel engine. Full-time 4-wheel drive with an ultra-low crawl ratio is optional, along with a Trail Cam for the top three trims. The Rubicon may also be fitted with a winch on the front bumper.

Other extras include black or body-colored 3-piece hardtops, premium soft top, removable Bluetooth wireless speaker, auxiliary switch blanks for aftermarket electronics, a 9-speaker/552-watt Alpine audio system, heated front seats/steering wheel, full LED exterior lighting, spray-in bed liner, and an adjustable rail-based tie-down setup. Mopar has more than 200 aftermarket parts to customize any Gladiator even further.

The 80th Anniversary Edition package adds 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and Berber mats. The Willys bundle includes 32-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, and a limited-slip rear differential.

Driver aids like forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are also optional throughout.

A gasoline-fueled 3.6-liter V6 is the 2021 Gladiator’s standard engine. It makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. An 8-speed automatic transmission is the 2-pedal alternative. Average fuel consumption is 19 mpg with either transmission.

Sport, Overland, and Rubicon trims are also available with a 3.0-liter diesel V6 generating 260 horsepower and a substantial 442 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic is the only transmission with this engine.

3.6-liter V6
285 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg (manual), 17/22 mpg (automatic)

3.0-liter diesel V6
260 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
442 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy:22/28 mpg (Sport, Overland), 20/25 mpg (Rubicon)