Return of the Gladiator

By: Kase van Rees

As I approached the bed of the new Jeep truck for the first time, I was struck with a feeling of familiarity. This boxy black pickup parked before me was knowingly tugging at my heart strings.

There is no such thing as objective journalism. Sure, we try to be as unbiased as we can. But I knew the instant I saw the Gladiator, I was going to like it no matter what. The old-school shape of the body reminded me of the 40's and 50's trucks I grew up in. But it would be wrong to say that I only appreciate this truck out of nostalgia. Jeep's most recent generation of the Wrangler has been, by all accounts, a leap forward in refinement. The Gladiator which shares many Wrangler parts is following this same pattern.

Jeeps have always been simple machines, and this new truck is by no means a luxury vehicle. But in a world of overbearing electronics and gimmicks, it is nice to be in a truck that just does what a truck does. And it's not completely lacking in amenities either. The infotainment system is nice, the stereo sounds good, and the off-road pages are good fun even on pavement.

The Gladiator also drives reasonably well. The truck's ride is floaty and comfortable without excessive body roll. And though it is far from fast, the Jeep's V6 is happy to build up rpms and get its long body rolling down the road.

But where this Jeep really shines is just how well it performs off-road. With 4-low, two locking diffs, and an electronic disconnecting sway bar, it earns the "trail rated" badging on its side. So you would reasonably assume that all of this comes with a hefty price tag. But the Gladiator is actually priced similar to its competitors, though optional extras can add up. But when you consider its capabilities off-road, as well as the removable doors and roof, the price seems pretty reasonable.

The whole look and feel of the reborn Jeep Gladiator is great. It perfectly captures the Jeep ideology of rugged simplicity, without being difficult to live with day to day. Most of all this truck feels like something special, a much needed departure from the status quo.