Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size off-road pick-up truck under Stellantis Group's Jeep brand, which made its global debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. As the first mass-production pick-up truck in the brand's history built on the Wrangler platform, the Gladiator blends the legendary off-road prowess of the Wrangler with the practical utility of a pick-up. Officially badged as "Jiaodushi" (角斗士) in the Chinese market, it is distributed as a fully imported (CBU) model through official Jeep channels.

Model Overview

Positioned as a mid-size off-road pick-up truck, the Gladiator stands as one of the few offerings currently on the market that marries extreme off-road capability with pick-up practicality. Its headline selling point lies in sharing the ladder-frame chassis and heavy-duty 4WD system with the Wrangler, with the added benefit of cargo-hauling and towing capabilities courtesy of its rear cargo bed. The truck features a four-door double-cab configuration, with several variants offered in China including the Caravan Edition, Camping Edition, and Jurassic World Exploration Edition. Price-wise, Chinese dealer pricing ranges between RM428,000 and RM469,900. The 2025 model year welcomes a new 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain option. Meanwhile, the 2026 line-up expands overseas with trims like the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon, and Mojave, alongside a special 85th Anniversary Edition.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the Gladiator faithfully mirrors that of the current JL-generation Wrangler. Up front, the signature seven-slot front grille, round LED headlamps, exposed tow hooks, and heavy-duty front bumper form an unmistakable Jeep family look. Down the flanks, a pick-up rear cargo bed extends seamlessly from the upright, boxy Wrangler profile, giving it that iconic "half-Wrangler, half-pick-up" stance. Removable roof panels and doors are retained, allowing it to convert into a fully open-top convertible pick-up under extreme setups. In terms of exterior dimensions, it measures 5,181 mm in length (extending up to 5,592 mm on select variants), riding on a 3,480–3,488 mm wheelbase.

Inside, the cabin architecture is virtually identical to that of the Wrangler. Fitted with a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 central touchscreen display and a digital instrument cluster, it retains rugged interior appointments like circular air-con vents, a mechanical gear selector, and a transfer case lever, complemented by an array of tactile physical buttons designed for easy, no-look operation while off-roading.

Powertrain and Performance

At the heart of the Gladiator is Jeep's proven 3.6L Pentastar naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine, churning out 285 hp and 260 lb-ft (approx. 353 Nm) of torque. Power is transferred to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine runs on RON 92 petrol. Starting from the 2025 model year, Jeep has discontinued the manual gearbox option. Additionally, a 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel remains available in selected global markets. The newly introduced 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain for the 2025 model year further expands the lineup's propulsion choices. For fuel efficiency, it returns an NEDC combined consumption figure of 11.1 L/100 km, fed by an 83.3–83.8-litre fuel tank.

Chassis and Handling

Underpinning the Gladiator is a robust body-on-frame architecture (ladder-frame chassis), serving as the cornerstone of its hardcore off-road credentials. The truck is underpinned by heavy-duty DANA 44 front and rear solid axles.

Drivetrain duties are handled by a choice of two 4WD setups. The Selec-Trac full-time/part-time 4WD system features a 2.72:1 low-range gear reduction; the more hardcore Rock-Trac part-time 4WD system incorporates an NV241OR transfer case boasting a 4:1 low-range crawl ratio, paired with Tru-Lok mechanical front and rear differential locks and an electronic front sway bar disconnect. The Gladiator boasts Trail Rated certification, with the Mojave grade adding prestigious Desert Rated credentials. Crucial off-road geometry includes an approach angle of 40°, a departure angle of 25°, and a minimum ground clearance of 249 mm. It also boasts a maximum braked towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs (approx. 3,493 kg).

Cabin and Equipment

The interior comes appointed with a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment unit and a digital instrument cluster. The system natively supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Comfort and convenience features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a reverse camera, cruise control, and full-LED headlights. In-car entertainment is handled by an Alpine 9-speaker premium audio setup. For the rear cargo bed, optional tonneau bed covers and sports bars/roof racks can be added to further bolster payload versatility.

Safety and Advanced Driver Assistance

In terms of passive safety, the Gladiator comes standard with 7 airbags and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). The 2026 model steps up its active safety package, making adaptive cruise control (ACC) and blind spot monitoring (BSM) standard equipment.

Market Performance and Reception

The Gladiator occupies an exclusive niche in the pick-up segment as one of the few factory-built trucks offering peerless out-of-the-box off-road capability combined with genuine utility. Motoring reviews consistently highlight that the Gladiator can comfortably conquer punishing off-road trails that would otherwise demand aftermarket modifications on lesser vehicles. Dynamically, its on- and off-road driving manners closely mirror those of the Wrangler. In China, the truck arrived as a fully imported model, with the initial allocation capped at 500 units. The 2026 Gladiator further enriches its overseas offerings with the 85th Anniversary Edition alongside fresh paint options such as Reign. As the first production pick-up in Jeep's storied lineage, the Gladiator stands unchallenged in the global off-road lifestyle pick-up segment thanks to its authentic off-road DNA and uncompromised practicality.