2021 Jeep Gladiator

What Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size crew-cab pickup truck with room for up to five people. Its standard engine is a 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 that works with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. The newly available turbo-diesel V-6, meanwhile, teams with an eight-speed automatic. Part-time four-wheel drive is standard, and competitors include the Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon and Toyota Tacoma.

What’s New on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

The newly available turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6 makes 260 hp and 442 pounds-feet of torque and gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined — 5 mpg more than the gas V-6. Full-time four-wheel drive is available, and the Overland trim level can now have a forward-facing off-road camera. The Sport trim, meanwhile, can now have LED headlights and foglights. There’s also a new 80th Anniversary Edition with unique appearance cues, and a Willys model with a limited-slip differential, rock rails and Mud-Terrain tires.   

Which Features in the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Are Most Important?

Standard features include: 

• Folding soft-top
• Fold-down windshield
• Removable doors
• Air conditioning
• Push-button start
• Cloth seats
• Cruise control

Available features include: 

• Three-piece hard top
• Spray-in bedliner
• Household power outlet in cargo box
• Adjustable cargo tie-downs
• Power locks, mirrors and windows
• Remote start
• Leather-trimmed seats
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Alpine premium stereo
• 7- or 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia system
• Blind spot warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking

2021 Jeep Gladiator Vs. 2021 Ford Ranger: How Do They Compare?

The Ford Ranger is powered by a stout turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 270 hp, and the truck can tow up to 7,500 pounds — slightly less than the Gladiator’s 7,650-pound maximum — when properly equipped. The two trucks both boast user-friendly touchscreen multimedia systems, but the Ranger’s interior looks dated compared with the Gladiator’s. The Gladiator’s diesel engine gives the Jeep a slight fuel-economy edge, but if you’re only interested in gas power, the Ranger comes out ahead. 

Should I Buy the 2021 Jeep Gladiator?

The Jeep Gladiator is a unique entrant in the mid-size pickup truck class. The off-road Rubicon version has the rock-crawling ability of a muscled-up mountain goat, but the Gladiator’s poor straight-line tracking is a problem when driving on paved surfaces. It’s also pricey.