By After thirty years Jeep is finally back in the pickup market. It has been some while since we could hear the FCA is about to launch this vehicle, but we didn’t know too much about it. The main argument was about the name. Experts sounded very sure about Wrangler or Scrambler truck. But, eventually, fans are getting the 2020 Jeep Gladiator as the new mid-size pickup by the FCA. The truck will face the competition that is growing. In 2018 it would have only a few rivals. Now, there are Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma as old models, and Ford Ranger that returns for 2019 season.
Most benefit from the 2020 Jeep Gladiator will get buyers. The competition will offer more for less money. Companies will fight for a larger piece of a mid-size market pie. And certainly, the new truck has chances. It gets all the stuff we can expect from Jeep. Unique styling for this class starts with a famous radiator grille. The open top version is also in the offer. Finally, the US truckmaker is not wasting any time, since a diesel engine will be there right from the first appearance. A 3.0-liter V6 unit will launch the Gladiator right at the top if we are grading pickups to their towing capacity. All in all, the truck is going to refresh the market and draw more attention.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Styling
In short, we can describe the 2020 Jeep Gladiator as a Wrangler 4×4 vehicle with a box. Beneath the surface, there is a lot more. It comes with a longer wheelbase at the first place. The wider tailgate is at the end of the five-foot long bed. Well, the truck is available with soft top, or three-panel hard top.
The rear end shows some interesting details. First of all, the bumper is different than on Wrangler. Also, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is using a steel bed, which will increase the overall weight. FCA could opt for lighter materials, but designers opted for a heavier variant.
Up front, there is a radiator grille with seven slots. We already got used to this feature and it was just a matter of size for the 2020 Gladiator. However, there are few modifications here as well. Top of the grille is more aggressive and aerodynamic. Space between bars is wider. LED lamps we can find on the Wrangler SUV, and its higher trim levels borrowed fog lights as well. Step on the tailgate is very useful.
We are coming to the most important detail – open top. As we used to see from Jeep, the Gladiator truck is not an exemption. For the new model, designers prepared three different choices for covers. The first one is a soft top, then we have a hard top with body color, and three-piece black hard top. Partially or fully opened top will increase the noise.
Interior
The similarities between 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler SUV continues inside the truck. We will see most interior covered with soft and genuine materials. The dashboard is using traditional design. Depending on a trim level, buyers will find larger or smaller display right at the center of it. Safety is at the highest level. However, upper models are adding more and more advanced features.
The Uconnect infotainment system will get the latest apps and accessories. For example, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator will offer Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, Android Auto is not a part of the Uconnect system. The overall design is boxy and old-school. Standard offer includes dual-zone AC outlets. Again, as we are climbing the trim level, we will find fancier designs. Stitching on seats is available on Overland and Rubicon models.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Specs
Under the hood of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a 3.6-liter Pentastar unit. Predictions showed true about a V6 engine. Also, experts made a right prediction about a diesel version. This one is a 3.0-liter unit we will see on Ram 1500 Diesel.
But, let’s start from the base configuration. It is a 3.6-liter V6 mill that is capable to create 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This is the same output as for the Wrangler. A six-speed manual transmission is a standard power router. Optionally, buyers can choose an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Since the truck is heavier than the Wrangler, the gas mileage will drop. For a better off-road impression, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator will offer perfect low-rate torque.
Diesel Truck
More interesting is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Diesel pickup. It comes with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel unit. The EcoDiesel engine will be able to crunch 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Some experts believed the FCA will bring the European 2.2-liter diesel engine from Euro-spec Wrangler. However, the mid-size pickup receives the same engine as the full-size Ram 1500 Diesel truck. Here, an eight-speed automatic transmission is the only option.
Downsides of any diesel engines are reduced for 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Drivers will hear less noise and feel fewer vibrations. Rubicon model is getting a special 4×4 Rock-Trac system that will improve an off-road capability. Here, the truck also offers a manual gearbox. According to early predictions, the new Gladiator Diesel will be able to pull 7,650 pounds. Its towing capacity is 50 short from the class-topping 7,700 pounds by Chevy Colorado.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Price
The new 2020 Jeep Gladiator is going to cost around $30,000. That makes it much more expensive than Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. Also, these trucks are also offering four-cylinder engines, while Ford Ranger is not using a V6. So, the new 2020 Gladiator is more a rival to full-size segment, at least according to prices. Also, its diesel engine is the same as the one Ram 1500 is using. The only diesel unit in the class is Colorado and its output can’t match Gladiator’s displacement.
The company announced that the first wave of sales will start soon. We still don’t know exactly when. But, be ready to bid high if you want to get one of the first units. However, the standard showroom appearance will happen late in 2019 or early in 2020.
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