Used 2022 Jeep Gladiator

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is an off-road specialist in midsize pickup truck form. It’s also the only pickup with a detachable roof and doors. Based on the Wrangler, but with a 5-foot truck bed, the Gladiator can be a work vehicle in the week and a fun machine on weekends.

Although there are other midsize pickups with off-road abilities, there’s nothing exactly like the Jeep Gladiator. And certainly nothing that can match the off-roading heritage of a Jeep.

The range of 2022 Gladiator models goes from a basic Sport version up to a specialized rock climber (the Rubicon) or one prepared for racing across the dunes (the Mojave). In the back, meanwhile, is a cargo bed that can handle respectable payloads. And the Gladiator’s towing abilities are considerable.

A body-on-frame construction and front/rear Dana 44 solid axles are the kind of things that get off-roaders all hot under their bandanas. Like the Wrangler on which it’s based, the 2022 Gladiator is meant to come into its own when it leaves the road behind.

The Rubicon is the rock-climber of the 2022 Gladiator range, coming standard with an electronically disconnecting anti-roll bar for optimum axle articulation. This kind of context is also appropriate for the optional diesel engine, whose maximum torque is achieved at a lovely low 1,400 rpm, allowing drivers to summon low-end thrust when ascending tricky slopes. Not that there’s anything wrong with the standard gasoline V6.

The Mojave is the desert runner, fitted with special shock absorbers supplied by Fox, along with Fox hydraulic front jounce bumpers. These are kind of secondary shock absorbers. The Rubicon has foam cell equivalents, but the hydraulic versions in the Mojave can take more punishment and provide a better ride quality at the same time.

When the bandanas come off and the work clothes go on, things aren’t quite as rosy. Despite coil springs doing their best to provide as civilized a ride quality as possible, the Gladiator is a bit skittish on the tarmac. Wind and tire noise also become constant companions at freeway speeds. Make sure the pros of buying a new Gladiator outweigh the cons.

Whatever plans there are for the cargo bed, maximum payload is 1,700 pounds, which is also impressive for the class.

Basics like manual windows, locks and side mirrors — plus the lack of power-adjustable seats — can be assets in their own way, because simpler equipment in a cabin designed to be hosed out (drain plugs are included) won’t be damaged by water.

There’s seating for five in total, with a 3-seat bench in the back row. Under those back seats is a storage area and just behind them is a spot where an optional Bluetooth speaker can be stowed. Rear legroom is 38.3 inches — better than the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy Colorado.

The cab of the 2022 Gladiator is the equivalent of a crew cab among other midsize pickups. It has four doors, all opening the usual way. There’s just one bed size.

And here’s a sentence not usually heard when talking about pickups: The windshield folds down. The doors and top are removable as well. The Jeep Gladiator has a soft top with a sunroof as standard; a 3-piece hard top is on the options list.

Sport trim comes with 17-inch steel wheels, which could be fine for many buyers — going rock crawling could scratch a nice set of alloys. The Rubicon and Mojave have the biggest fender flares of the range to accommodate their larger all-terrain tires. The Rubicon also has protective rock rails for the lower parts of the cabin and the bed.

FOX SUSPENSION COMPONENTS
After all these years of making top-class off-road vehicles, Jeep knows an incredible amount about off-roading hardware and puts that expertise into every new Gladiator. However, the company is also smart enough to know when to approach a highly respected third-party manufacturer for specialist equipment. Which is why there are the Fox components in the Rubicon and Mojave models.

3-POSITION TAILGATE
This is just a nice little detail. In between the two positions of open and closed is a middle point, where the tailgate’s cable leaves it partially open. Things that might be a little longer than 5 feet — like lumber or sheets of drywall — could still fit.

Sport trim is the most affordable and most basic 2022 Gladiator. It comes with a pair of tow hooks up front, one tow hook at the back, air conditioning, cloth upholstery, and a push-button start.

For the 2022 model year, the Gladiator Sport gets a 7-inch display screen, replacing last year’s 5-inch screen. The Gladiator Sport also gets the Uconnect 4 infotainment system, which means Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard.

Standard on all 2022 Gladiator models is remote proximity keyless entry and a new cabin filter that removes 95 percent of all particles.

The Overland, Rubicon, and Mojave Gladiators have an 8.4-inch screen and Uconnect 4C, which includes navigation and a 9-speaker Alpine stereo.

Driver assistance features are optional. Among the mandatory elements are traction/stability control, airbags, and a rearview camera.

Overland Gladiator models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, heated side mirrors, and side steps. Overland interiors include keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, 115-volt outlet, ambient footwell lighting, satellite radio, and three more USB ports (two of which are USB-C).

Rubicon has an electronically locking front differential, Fox suspension components, an electronically disconnecting sway bar, and another rear tow hook. Mojave adds an electronically locking rear differential and extra Fox parts.

All versions of the 2022 Gladiator are eligible for the automatic transmission, LED headlights, remote start, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 9-speaker/552-watt Alpine audio system, removable Bluetooth speaker, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

Options for the cargo bed include a spray-in liner, 115-volt outlet, adjustable tie-downs, and a roll-up tonneau cover. A Class IV trailer hitch is also offered across the range.

Overland, Rubicon, and Mojave models qualify for a forward-facing camera that’s especially useful off-road, body-colored 3-piece hardtop, self-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, SiriusXM traffic updates, and the 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen.

A winch-capable, heavy-duty steel front bumper with detachable end caps is offered with the Rubicon.

The standard engine in the 2022 Gladiator is a highly regarded 3.6-liter V6 used in a lot of Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge vehicles. It makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, so is 4-wheel drive with a high/low transfer case. An 8-speed automatic transmission is optional.

Unless someone is buying the Mojave version, there’s an alternative of a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 that links solely to the automatic transmission. It develops 260 horsepower and a meaty 442 lb-ft of torque.

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), 21/27 mpg (Rubicon)