The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is arguably probably the most succesful 4WD out of the manufacturing facility, however after a month of driving one, I’ve discovered a lot extra perks too.
4WDrivers are a brand-loyal bunch – myself included – and when the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon arrived, I wasn’t satisfied this lengthy, assertively-styled truck would dwell as much as the claims. However I used to be useless flawed.
Mockingly, the identical week it arrived, my every day experience was hit at a cease signal and written off, so I ended up utilizing the Gladiator as my private automotive for a whole month.
Now that I’ve taken it on many 4WD tracks, the seashore, highways, windy roads, and metropolis automotive parks, I really feel like I do know what the Gladiator is all about.
Learn extra: How To 4WD For Newbies
The Gladiator has been my roman empire for a complete month
It Lives As much as the Claims
Jeep claims that the Rubicon collection is probably the most succesful 4WD straight out of the manufacturing facility – which is an enormous name – however let’s break it down.
From the manufacturing facility, the Gladiator Rubicon has entrance and rear locking differentials, a 4:1 ratio switch case, and a sway bar disconnect that operates with the push of a button.
When you’ve spent any time in 4WD circles, you’ll know these aren’t normal options on virtually any 4WD. They’re high-end modifications that may simply value tens of hundreds in aftermarket upgrades.
On prime of this are a winch-compatible metal entrance bar, metal rock sliders, and underbody and rear safety.
Straight outta manufacturing facility there’s nothing extra succesful. (Jeep real equipment proven.)
I put the Gladiator via some tough tracks, together with river crossings with hidden boulders, and the underbody safety saved me from a couple of bangs that might have in any other case resulted in costly harm.
I knew it’d be succesful, however I used to be genuinely shocked by how easy it made the whole lot really feel.
From steep, rocky tracks to waist-deep ruts and wombat holes, the Gladiator dealt with all of it with ease. The live-axle suspension offers loads of journey, which helps the truck flex and adapt to powerful terrain.
Participating low-range and off-road mode is an easy push of a button. The Gladiator adjusts its traction management system, transmission, and throttle response to deal with dust, mud, and sand with out breaking a sweat. This mode made rock crawling a straightforward, managed expertise, and even in tough situations, the truck remained secure and composed.
At simply over 40 levels, its method angle might be higher than every other ute or pickup available on the market, permitting you to deal with steep inclines with out worrying about scraping the entrance.
So we’re mainly going mountaineering
The departure angle is round 25 levels, and regardless that I anticipated to take some hits on the bigger rocks, the metal safety did its job completely.
General it strikes like a a lot smaller car when off-road.
Whereas it’s an enormous name, after many tracks, I’m satisfied that is probably the most succesful manufacturing facility 4WD.
It Doesn’t Drive Like a Truck
Let’s face it, irrespective of how adventurous we’re, more often than not we’re sitting in site visitors or rolling round on sealed roads.
However I feel Jeep has managed to mix the ruggedness of live-axle suspension with easy dealing with on highways and even winding roads. It’s a uncommon steadiness that provides the Gladiator a twin character.
On highways, the Gladiator feels composed and secure, and its punchy V6 engine delivers 209kW of energy, which implies overtaking and uphill climbs aren’t any situation.
V6 engine + 43.4° method angle = no issues on this monitor
Even on tighter corners, the truck holds its line nicely, and the steering stays exact with no shock suggestions, such as you get in different live-axle autos.
Driving on unfastened gravel roads the Gladiator felt easy and secure at velocity. The suspension absorbed bumps and dips with ease, protecting the experience comfy for everybody on board.
The one draw back is added wind noise from the aftermarket Sunrider canvas roof this automotive had put in. However the upside is it actually pops open to the sky in seconds.
It’s a Assertion on Wheels
With large, flared arches, aggressively styled curves, and the size between entrance and rear wheels longer than a Corolla, the Gladiator doesn’t shrink back from consideration.
I obtained loads of seems and waves (together with the key Jeep driver wave) whereas I used to be out and about.
I’m undecided whether or not it’s a professional or con, however there’s no denying it’s a dialog starter. Strangers typically popped over for a chat concerning the automotive and whether or not they liked or hated the styling (by no means in between) and mates messaged me to ask for a check drive.
After all, turning as much as camp in a brand new automotive, I copped a couple of (hilarious) feedback from my mates, however after a couple of powerful tracks all of the blokes gathered across the Jeep with arms folded to silently examine, nod, and stiffly mumble optimistic feedback concerning the automotive – which is simply concerning the highest type of reward.
The sound of an excellent meal and an excellent automotive…. silence
Contained in the cabin is much less of an announcement and extra of a nod to Jeep’s easy roots, with a mix of contemporary comforts and basic design touches. The supplies contained in the cabin really feel high-quality, and Jeep has paid consideration to element with stitching on the steering wheel and seats.
After all, the long-lasting mixture of spherical headlights and vertical grill is a residing tribute to the unique Jeep that made an announcement again in 1941 as a easy, rugged modular car that arguably began the 4WD scene.
It’s Not Caught within the Previous
Regardless of its sturdy ties to its historical past and basic design options, you’d be shocked by the trendy tech tucked within the cab.
These embody heated seats and steering wheel, and a big touchscreen sprint with Apple CarPlay. These little luxuries make an enormous distinction, particularly on chilly mornings or after an extended day of driving.
The Gladiator additionally comes with a full suite of contemporary security options, together with blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise management, automated emergency braking (AEB), and seatbelt pretensioners.
With these options seamlessly working within the background, the truck feels safe and fashionable, regardless that its objective stays rugged and adventure-focused.
Regardless of a smaller door to climb via, the inside feels spacious, with loads of headroom even for taller drivers, and the again seat offers sufficient legroom for a number of large blokes to journey comfortably over lengthy distances. On one journey, 4 of us spent 5 hours (every approach) within the automotive, and nobody had any complaints.
You Can Use it Each Day
Regardless of its unimaginable size, the Gladiator handles every day chores with ease.
I took it into the town for work a couple of occasions and was impressed by how nimble it felt ducking down slender streets and round tight roundabouts.
At slightly below two metres tall, it additionally matches into underground automotive parks with out a problem. The reverse digicam and parking sensors made squeezing into tight parking spots on the grocery store straightforward.
Whether or not you’re on tracks or in site visitors, the Gladiator can deal with all of it
The tray dimension is equal to different dual-cab utes available on the market, that means you may have loads of room for all of your gear. I simply match a fridge, a large energy station, BBQ, and tenting gear for 4 folks on an extended weekend journey.
Whereas I didn’t get an opportunity to tow something throughout my month with the Gladiator, I’m assured it’d deal with towing a camper or trailer with ease. With 347Nm of torque, it has virtually double the towing energy of my present 4WD, which tows a two-tonne digger with out breaking a sweat.
Learn extra: What Ought to You Carry In Your 4WD Rescue & Restore Equipment?
Last Ideas on the Jeep Gladiator
Handing again the keys, I virtually felt nostalgic after a month of off-road adventures and having the Gladiator coincidentally filling in as my every day experience.
Leaping in every day, the Jeep at all times felt prepared for motion. And whereas it’d appear to be an impractical automotive, it actually does tick all of the packing containers for every day life.
Jeep’s ‘Go Wherever, Do Something’ motto rings true!
One standout for me is the value level. The highest-of-the-range Rubicon is full of far more options than its more-expensive opponents.
General, it was additionally simply a straightforward automotive to get round in, with exact, well-tempered steering and brakes, and an excellent mixture of old school enjoyable and fashionable tech.
