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2021 Jeep Gladiator

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Make
Jeep
Model
Gladiator
Year
2021
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Jeep Gladiator OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
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Used Car Price Range
$32,341 - $189,995
$32,341 $189,995
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 Sport 4dr 4x4 Crew Cab 5 ft. box
most popular
Price:   -  From $34,960
2021 Overland 4dr 4x4 Crew Cab 5 ft. box Price:   -  From $41,400
2021 Mojave 4dr 4x4 Crew Cab 5 ft. box Price:   -  From $45,240
2021 Rubicon 4dr 4x4 Crew Cab 5 ft. box Price:   -  From $45,240
Expert Rating
2.4 (Fair)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

What's New

It seems like the automotive industry is still trying to pick its jaw up off the floor after Jeep unveiled the Gladiator pickup truck. The 2021 Jeep Gladiator enters the new model year with a new turbodiesel engine option.

With the new diesel engine, the Gladiator still shines as one of the best off-roaders on the market. No pickup gives consumers the ability to remove the doors, windshield, and top like the Gladiator. Beyond being able to go anywhere, its heavily configurable body makes it incredibly unique. The Gladiator is certainly one of a kind.

Choosing Your Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is available in four main trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Rubicon, and High Altitude. There are also several sub-trims, including the Willys Sport, Willys, 80th Anniversary, Overland, and Mojave. Starting prices range from $35,060 for the base Sport model to $53,260 for the High Altitude.

Engine Choices

With the introduction of the diesel, there are now two available engines for the Gladiator. Every model starts with a 3.6-liter V6, but the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 is a $4,000 option.

Engine TypeHorsepowerTorqueFuel Economy (Combined)
3.6L V6285 hp260 lb-ft19 mpg
3.0L Turbodiesel V6260 hp442 lb-ft24 mpg

The regular V6 comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but an eight-speed automatic is available for $2,000. The turbodiesel comes with the eight-speed automatic gearbox. Just like the Jeep Wrangler, every Gladiator comes with standard four-wheel drive.

When properly equipped, the Gladiator is rated to tow up to 7,650 pounds.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

All Gladiators can seat up to five passengers and come with a 5-foot bed. It has a 1,600-pound maximum payload capacity.

Jeep Gladiator

Safety Features

Jeep has come a long way when it comes to offering advanced safety features, but the Gladiator doesn't offer any standard, and they aren't even optional on the base model.

Starting on the Sport S, two safety packages become available. The first bundles automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams for $795. The second is the Jeep Active Safety Group ($995), which bundles blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and LED taillights. The features from the latter are finally standard on the High Altitude.

Connectivity

The base Gladiator comes with a 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, two USB ports, and eight audio speakers. All other trims start with a 7-inch touchscreen with satellite radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The 8.4-Inch Radio and Premium Audio Group ($1,995 on the Sport S, $1,895 on the Rubicon) becomes available. It includes an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, an Alpine audio system, HD radio, two rear USB ports, and more. These features are standard on the High Altitude.

Jeep Gladiator

Sport - From $35,060

The base Sport trim doesn’t come with much when it comes to convenience features. Cloth upholstery, push button start, air conditioning, manual door locks, and manual windows are standard. On the outside, 17-inch steel wheels, black fender flares, skid plates, and tow hooks are included.

Leather upholstery is an extra $1,750, while a three-piece hardtop is available for $1,395. The Willys Sport sub-trim ($1,945) comes with body-color fender flares, a limited-slip rear differential, 32-inch mud-terrain tires, 17-inch black alloy wheels, and rock rails.

Sport S - From $39,595

The 7-inch touchscreen, power windows and locks, tinted rear windows, 17-inch aluminum wheels, keyless entry, heated exterior mirrors, and an alarm are standard with the Sport S.

The Cold Weather Group brings heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote start system for $695.

There are also three sub-trims based on the Sport S. The Willys ($1,160) adds the same gear as the Willys Sport mentioned above. The Overland ($2,560) adds 18-inch wheels and side steps, among other features. The 80th Anniversary ($3,905) brings the 8.4-inch touchscreen, 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and special badging.

Rubicon - From $45,635

The Rubicon brings serious off-roading features for consumers looking to tackle inhospitable terrain. Fox off-road shocks, 17-inch wheels, locking axles, 33-inch all-terrain tires, black fenders, rock rails, “Rubicon” decals, and hood vents are included.

The Mojave sub-trim (same price as the Rubicon) is aimed at consumers that want to travel at high speeds through the desert. It adds special Fox shocks, a locking rear differential, 33-inch all-terrain tires, high-clearance fender flares, and a 1-inch lift at the front.

High Altitude - From $53,260

The High Altitude acts as the luxurious Gladiator in the lineup. It adds the 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, two rear USB ports, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, 20-inch wheels, remote keyless entry, a hard-top roof, leather upholstery, and LED lights.

Compare Gladiator Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

Regardless of what trim you end up going with, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is all about going off-roading. Unfortunately, going with a higher trim doesn’t necessarily bring a lot of features to match the higher price tag until the range-topping High Altitude. We recommend the Sport S trim, mainly for its standard smartphone compatibility, larger touchscreen, and variety of optional features.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Undeniably cool
  • Doors and roof come off
  • Impressive payload and towing specs
  • Off-road capability
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Bare-bones base model
  • Uncouth ride and handling
Expert Rating
2.4 (Fair)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Wrangler style, pickup capabilities, Jeep cool. For a long time, midsize trucks weren't hip. Before the first factory-built Toyota Tacoma TRDs or Chevrolet Colorado ZR2s, this class of trucks were merely basic, unappreciated transportation their promises modest but earnest. There was no glamor to midsize trucks.

That isn't the case anymore, and the new star among midsize truck trends is the Jeep Gladiator. For years, fans had begged for Jeep to turn the Wrangler into a pickup, but other than a brief run of specially-made models in the 1980s, those calls went unanswered - until last year. That's when Jeep finally gave us the midsize pickup that had been the fantasy of so many.

The Gladiator isn't just a Wrangler with a bed instead of a back seat. Jeep did some thorough reengineering to ensure the Gladiator is up to the task of towing and hauling, including lengthening the wheelbase by nearly 20 inches compared to a four-door Wrangler. This explains the rather odd proportions: looking at one of these trucks, you get the impression that it's too long for how wide it is.

The rest of the styling more than makes up this minor shortcoming. Up front, the classic seven-slot grille is bookended by two equally-classic round headlights. The fenders and bumpers aren't flush with the body but rather abut the quarter-panels and fascia surrounds. Despite its awkward length, the Gladiator looks every bit as ready for adventure as a Wrangler, if not more so.

Gladiator goes diesel. For 2021, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 has been made available for the first time. This engine features nearly as much horsepower as the gas 3.6-liter V-6 - 260 horses, to be precise - but delivers a full 442 lb-ft of torque. While moving up to 5,000 pounds of anything is never easy, that torque makes it look like easy work. From 1,400 rpm and on, all that torque is at the bidding of your right foot.

The diesel is limited to the eight-speed automatic that Jeep's parent company has been using in all its products for some years now. The shifts are smooth and crisp; it's clear Jeep has done a thorough job tuning this gearbox appropriately.

Oddly enough, the diesel doesn't tow as well as the gas motor: 6,500 pounds for the diesel versus 7,650 pounds with the gas engine. Payload also suffers, maxing out at 1,325 pounds. The gas V-6 has a 1.700-pound maximum payload rating. the figures for the gas engine are right at the top of the class.

The standard 3.6-liter V-6 doesn't need an introduction at this point. For the last 10 years it has been employed in various vehicles ranging from the Ram pickup to the Dodge Journey and everything in between. Part of why it was used so extensively is its inherent affability - this engine hasn't met a Chrysler product it hasn't liked. In the Gladiator, it makes 262 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

Smooth and unruffled, the V-6 quickly disappears as white noise behind the Gladiator's more noticeable attributes. Road noise permeates the cabin constantly at most speeds. The suspension is easily upset by abrupt bumps like expansion joints - a classic issue with Wranglers, though the Gladiator's longer wheelbase does make this less of an issue than it is on a two-door Wrangler. On-road handling is vague at best.

Off-road, though, the Gladiator shines. Its length keeps it from the expert-grade technical trails a Wrangler can travel, but otherwise, this is an off-roader through and through. In Rubicon form, it will crawl over all manner of boulders; in Mohave trim, it will run across the desert with a Ford Raptor. Special shocks, all-terrain tires, and mild but effective factory lifts make these two trims the best options for those seeking their thrills beyond the pavement.


Jeep Gladiator

Attractive, old-school cabin. Inside the truck, Jeep designers sourced all they needed from the Wrangler's parts bin. The bluff, old-school dash fills in the black spaces between the air vents with slabs of body-color trim; it makes for an appealing contrast to the black plastic on the top and bottom of the dashboard. Lots of buttons get demarcated by silver trim. Two traditional gearshifts - one for the transmission and the other for the four-wheel-drive system - poke out of a low console.

None of this is groundbreaking; Jeep has been careful not to alienate fans by subtly merging the traditional bits of the interior with modern touches. Behind the familiar look and layout lies technology like the Uconnect 4 infotainment system that comes with all but the base model and is housed in either a 7.0- or 8.4-inch touchscreen. The standard infotainment setup is a disappointing 5.0-inch screen with limited functions that we would avoid.

The Gladiator's long wheelbase affords much better rear legroom than a four-door Wrangler and trumps all of the competition as well. Its 38 inches beats out the crew cab versions of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado. Even the Honda Ridgeline, which is more crossover than truck, can only must about 36.5 inches of rear legroom.

Expensive. Few creature comforts come standard on the Gladiator. Even power windows and locks aren't included in the base price. It's all part of the charade that this and the Wrangler are about austere capability. It's a good marketing tactic - and a great way to upsell buyers - but we're not fooled. The cheapest Gladiator runs for a steep $35,000 or so after destination charges.

If that price sounds high to you, well, you're right. $35,000 buys a well-equipped Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, or Chevrolet Colorado, all of which begin at nearly $10,000 less than the Gladiator. These trucks - especially at a price point comparable to the Gladiator - also ride better, are more comfortable, and generally feel much more modern and refined. Unlike the Gladiator, these trucks aren't based on an anachronism, as delightful an anachronism the Wrangler might be.

Of course, those other trucks don't allow you to remove the roof and doors, fold down the windshield, or tackle boulder-strewn trails right out of the box (though we'd recommend the Rubicon model if that's your thing). While we can't really justify the Gladiator's pricing, which can cost as much as $65,000 with every option checked, we have massive appreciation for its capability. If that matters more than how livable it may be on a daily basis, this is the truck for you.

Final thoughts. The Gladiator is expensive and certainly isn't the most refined midsize truck, but it has an incomparable cool factor. Its styling, its capability, heritage, and unique ability to leave the doors and roof at home all lend this truck an aura that can't be matched by the mainstream competition.

It's been said that the heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of. That rings true with the Gladiator, a truck that, while sometimes difficult to live with, can spark far more joy of ownership than one of the more typical pickups. If that gets you excited, the Gladiator is the truck for you.

Check prices for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 3.6L V-6 / 285 HP / 260 ft.lbs.
Available: 3.0L V-6 / 260 HP / 442 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 6-spd man w/OD
Available: 8-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD8-spd Autostick w/OD
Drive Type
Command-trac Part-time Four-wheel / Selec-trac Part And Full-time Four-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
16 / 23 / 19 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 3.6L V-6 / 285 HP / 260 ft.lbs.
Available: 3.0L V-6 / 260 HP / 442 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Command-trac Part-time Four-wheel / Selec-trac Part And Full-time Four-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
16 / 23 / 19 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Leading Link
Rear Suspension
Rigid Axle Trailing Arm
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank
22.0 Gal. / 19.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded / Diesel
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$84
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
Passenger Volume
103 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
218.0 "
Exterior Width
73.8 "
Exterior Height
75.0 " / 73.1 "
Front Headroom
42.8 " / 40.8 "
Rear Headroom
42.8 " / 40.8 "
Front Legroom
41.2 "
Rear Legroom
38.3 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.7 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.7 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,650 Lbs. / 4,691 Lbs. / 4,988 Lbs. / 4,671 Lbs.
Wheel Base
137 "
Turning Radius
22.3 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Black Styled Steel / 17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Black Aluminum / 18.0 " Polished W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Decal
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Manual / Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Black With 2 Front Tow Hook(s) / Front Black With 2 Front Tow Hook(s)
Grille Moldings
Body-colored / Black / Body-color W/colored Accents
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth / Cloth/leather / Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan / Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan / Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan / Am/fm, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers
8 / 9 Alpine
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Manual
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light / Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Warning-plus Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind-spot Monitoring Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Parksense Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Sentry Key
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
36 Months / Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2021 Jeep Gladiator for Sale

29 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Jeep
Sport
Color: Granite Crystal Metallic Clear
Price

$32,341

Mileage

54,231 mi

Map location icon

Orange Coast Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT (33 mi)

Phone: (714) 733-2388
Jeep
Sport
Color: White
Price

$34,038

Mileage

15,894 mi

Map location icon

STG Auto Group of Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (855) 404-2728
Jeep
Sport
Color: Bright White Clearcoat
Price

$34,891

Mileage

14,617 mi

Map location icon

STG Auto Group of Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 552-7433
Jeep
Overland
Color: Firecracker Red Clearcoat
Price

$34,901

Mileage

43,800 mi

Map location icon

Bravo Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Of Alhambra (20 mi)

Phone: (888) 272-8638
See All Used Car Listings

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