2022 Jeep Gladiator Specs and Review

Is the Jeep Gladiator a Good Truck?

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is a pretty good compact pickup truck . The Gladiator is exceptionally capable off road, much like its Jeep Wrangler sibling, and it offers muscular gas and diesel V6 engines, a 5-foot bed, and hefty payload and tow ratings. The interior is spacious and reasonably upscale, and the infotainment system is easy to use.

On the downside, the Gladiator’s solid-axle suspension results in a rough ride and cumbersome on-road handling. The interior is noisy as well, especially with the standard soft top.

2022 Jeep Gladiator Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 18 feet, 2 inches
• Height: 6 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 4 inches
• Curb weight: 4,650 to 5,072 pounds

Should I Buy the Jeep Gladiator?

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is well worth considering if you want a pickup truck that can handle serious off-road abuse. But if you simply want a comfortable and practical truck for everyday driving, there are better and more affordable options like the Ford Ranger , Chevy Colorado , and Toyota Tacoma .

Find a 2022 Jeep Gladiator for sale near you »

Why You Can Trust Us: 21 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 21 Jeep Gladiator reviews, as well as data points like reliability scores and fuel economy estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible. This 2022 Gladiator review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2020.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site.

2021 vs. 2022 Jeep Gladiator: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between the 2021 and 2022 Gladiator is its touch screen. For 2022, base Gladiator models come standard with a 7-inch touch screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Jeep discontinued the previous 5-inch display.

Compare the 2021 and 2022 Gladiator »

Here are the key changes for the Jeep Gladiator over the last few years:

• 2022: 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto join standard features list
• 2021: turbodiesel engine became available
• 2020: launched as an all-new pickup truck

If you’re considering an older model, be sure to read our 2020 Gladiator and 2021 Gladiator reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

How Much Does the Jeep Gladiator Cost?

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator has a $35,315 starting price, which makes it one of the most expensive vehicles in the compact pickup truck class . The price climbs to $47,260 for the rugged Rubicon and Mojave trims, and it eclipses the $52,000 mark for the range-topping High Altitude trim.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Jeep dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Jeep deals page .

Want to trade-in or sell your current car? Get an instant cash offer that can be used toward the purchase of your next car.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Jeep Gladiator?

The cost of insuring a Jeep Gladiator will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.

Jeep Gladiator Versus the Competition

Jeep Gladiator vs. Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma offers a few benefits over the Gladiator. The Tacoma’s base price is lower than the Gladiator’s by about $8,800, yet it still comes standard with more safety features like forward collision warning and forward automatic emergency braking. The Tacoma is also available with a longer 6-foot bed (the Gladiator boasts a 5-foot bed), and its on-road handling – though not exemplary – is more composed than the Gladiator’s. On the other hand, the Jeep is the better off-roader, and it maintains an edge over the Toyota for seating space, interior quality, engine performance, and towing ability.

Compare the Gladiator and Tacoma »

Jeep Gladiator vs. Jeep Wrangler

Jeep used the Wrangler SUV as a jumping-off point when designing the Gladiator pickup. Both vehicles have a sturdy body-on-frame design, a solid-axle suspension, and removable tops and doors. Both are also available with many of the same tech and safety features. That said, the Wrangler’s shorter length and wheelbase make it a slightly better off-road vehicle, and its starting price is lower than the Gladiator’s by about $5,600. The Wrangler is also offered with engine options the Gladiator lacks, like a turbocharged four-cylinder and a hearty V8. The Gladiator, however, offers the practicality of an open bed. Its max towing capacity is higher as well.

Compare the Gladiator and Wrangler »

Compare the Gladiator, Tacoma, and Wrangler »

Gladiator Performance: Getting You There … and Back

Gladiator Engine

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is available with two engine options: a 3.6-liter gas V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and a stout 442 pound-feet of torque. Both engines offer an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, but only the gas V6 is available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Generally speaking, both engines are up to the task of hauling the Gladiator around town and on the highway, but the EcoDiesel engine handles its duties with more confidence. It develops peak power at a low 1,400 rpm, and that muscle is readily available during everyday driving, as well as when pulling a trailer. By comparison, the gas engine needs to rev hard to get the truck moving in a jiffy. It’s willing to do so and is fairly punchy, but it sounds strained.

The six-speed manual transmission is reasonably refined, though its vague clutch engagement can become a burden in stop-and-go traffic. The star of the show is the eight-speed automatic, which rifles quickly and smoothly through its gears.

Gladiator Gas Mileage

The Jeep Gladiator gets an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway when paired with the gas V6 and manual transmission (it’s 17/22 mpg with the automatic), which is one of the worst fuel economy estimates in the compact pickup truck class . The diesel engine improves fuel economy to 22/28 mpg city/highway, but the added cost of diesel fuel may negate any real-world savings.

Gladiator Ride and Handling

The Jeep Gladiator feels more trucklike on the open road than most modern pickups. Its solid axles and stiff coil-spring suspension tend to judder and shake the Jeep around over bumps and rough pavement. The Jeep exhibits noticeable body lean and sway when maneuvering through turns, which can reduce confidence through sharp corners at higher speeds, and it’s prone to wandering in crosswinds. The steering is reasonably quick though, and the brakes provide reassuring stopping power.

Gladiator Off-Road Performance

The Gladiator’s rugged suspension amazes off road. It easily shrugs off rocks and ruts when driven at low speeds, and it articulates nicely over undulating and rough terrain without putting a wheel in the air. This is especially true of the off-road-focused Rubicon and Mojave trims, which boast locking differentials, upgraded shock absorbers, aggressive all-terrain tires, and more than 11 inches of ground clearance. Simply put, the Gladiator can navigate trails unscathed that would put most other compact pickup trucks out of commission.

Gladiator Towing Capacity

The Gladiator has a maximum towing capacity of between 4,000 and 7,650 pounds, depending on configuration. That’s on par with rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon .

Read more about performance »

Gladiator Interior: Thumbs (Mostly) Up

Gladiator Interior Quality

It’s hard to call the Gladiator’s cabin premium, but it isn’t exactly bare-bones either. The interior feels sturdy and well put-together with a mix of hard- and soft-touch plastics, and the styling is appropriately chunky and rugged. It should hold up well to use and abuse.

The Gladiator is available with a standard soft top or optional hardtop, and both are relatively easy to install or remove. Notably, all models also have a fold-down windshield and removable doors. This makes for a unique open-air driving experience in good weather, but it also transmits a lot of wind and tire noise into the cabin when buttoned up, especially with the soft top. This can become tiresome on longer road trips.

Gladiator Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system is among the easiest to use on the market, and it’s one of the highlights of the Gladiator’s cabin. The standard 7-inch and available 8.4-inch touch screens have straightforward menus, snappy responses, and sharp graphics. Both are also complemented by well-placed buttons and knobs on the dashboard, which make it a breeze to adjust the audio and climate control settings on the go.

• Standard infotainment features: a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and two USB ports
• Available infotainment features: an 8.4-inch touch screen, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, a nine-speaker stereo, and two additional USB ports
• Additional standard features: push-button start and manual windows and door locks
• Other available features: automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, proximity keyless entry, and remote start

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Gladiator Cargo Space

The Jeep Gladiator has a 5-foot bed with a payload rating of 1,075 to 1,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The bedsides are fairly low, which makes it easy to load or access cargo, and the tailgate can be secured in three positions: open, closed, or halfway. The latter helps support longer items like lumber or plywood in transit.

How Many People Does the Gladiator Seat?

The Jeep Gladiator is a four-door pickup with five seats. The front seats are supportive and nicely contoured, and there’s ample head- and legroom for taller occupants. The upright driving position and tall windows provide an expansive view out to the front, sides, and rear of the truck. The rear seats are comfortable as well, and they can accommodate two adults or three kids with wiggle room to spare.

Standard amenities include cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats. Options include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Gladiator and Child Car Seats

There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Gladiator’s rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat.

Read more about interior »

Gladiator Reliability

Is the Jeep Gladiator Reliable ?

The 2022 Gladiator has a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Jeep Gladiator Warranty

The Jeep Gladiator has a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

2022 Jeep Gladiator Safety

Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2022 Gladiator four out of five stars in the frontal crash test and three stars in the rollover test. Models with the diesel engine were only tested for rollover safety, and they received three stars. The Gladiator did not receive an overall safety rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not crash tested the Jeep Gladiator.

Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features:

• Rearview camera

Available driver assistance features:

• Forward-facing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Where Is the 2022 Jeep Gladiator Built?

Jeep builds the Gladiator in Ohio.

Which Jeep Gladiator Model Is Right for Me?

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator pickup truck comes in eight trims: Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, Willys, Overland, Rubicon, Mojave, and High Altitude. The base Sport and Willys Sport trims are stingy on standard features, so we suggest opting for at least the Sport S, which adds niceties like power windows and keyless entry.

Jeep Gladiator Powertrain Options

• Base engine: 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque; starts at $35,315 (standard in all trims)
• Available engine: 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque; starts at $43,425 (available in all but Sport and Mojave trims)
• Drivetrain: four-wheel drive
• Transmission: standard six-speed manual; available eight-speed automatic

Jeep Gladiator Performance Packages/Options:

• Three-piece hardtop (prices start at $1,595)
• Set of four “half doors” (prices start at $3,395)
• Mud-terrain or all-terrain tires ($195)
• Limited-slip rear differential ($595)
• Full-time four-wheel drive ($695)
• Cold air intake ($525)
• Splash guards ($225)
• Side steps ($625)
• Rock sliders ($1,050)
• Steel front bumper ($895)
• Bed tonneau cover (prices start at $595)
• Spray-in bedliner ($495)
• LED headlights and fog lights ($1,195)
• Trailer Tow package ($545): a Class IV hitch receiver and heavy-duty radiator
• Max Tow package ($1,595): includes the Trailer Tow package plus heavy-duty axles with 4.10 ratios, a limited-slip rear differential, and all-terrain tires

Jeep Gladiator Sport

The entry-level Gladiator Sport starts at $35,315 and is equipped with a 285-horsepower V6 engine, a manual transmission, a low-range transfer case, and part-time four-wheel drive. An automatic transmission is optional for $2,000.

Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery, a soft top, halogen headlights and fog lights, skid plates, solid front and rear axles, 17-inch steel wheels, all-season tires, a Class II hitch receiver, tow hooks, and bed tie-down cleats. Additional standard features include a 7-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, an eight-speaker stereo, a rearview camera, manual windows and door locks, and push-button start.

In addition to the options listed above, leather upholstery, satellite radio, and keyless entry are also available.

Jeep Gladiator Willys Sport

The Gladiator Willys Sport costs $37,415 and adds “Willys” hood decals, 17-inch alloy wheels, 32-inch mud-terrain tires, and a limited-slip rear differential. A turbodiesel V6 engine is available for $4,010. Most options carry over unchanged.

Jeep Gladiator Sport S and Willys

The Gladiator Sport S trim starts at $38,715, and it includes the base model’s standard features plus remote keyless entry and power windows and door locks. The Gladiator Willys costs $41,610, and it bundles the features from the Sport S and Willys Sport trims.

In addition to the previously listed options, these trims are available with an 8.4-inch touch screen, navigation, a 12-speaker stereo, HD Radio, two additional USB ports, proximity keyless entry, remote start, automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Jeep Gladiator Overland

The Gladiator Overland trim starts at $43,420, and it includes the Sport S features plus 18-inch wheels, an 8.4-inch touch screen, navigation, HD Radio, a nine-speaker stereo, two additional USB ports, automatic climate control, and proximity keyless entry. A forward-facing camera is available. Otherwise, most options carry over unchanged.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave

The rugged Rubicon and Mojave trims are both priced at $47,260. The Gladiator Rubicon adds locking front and rear differentials, heavy-duty Fox shock absorbers, an electronic sway bar disconnect, 33-inch all-terrain tires, rock rails, and “Rubicon” decals. The Gladiator Mojave includes most of these features as well, but it trades the locking front differential and sway bar disconnect for “Mojave” decals and a suspension tuned for higher-speed off-roading.

Jeep Gladiator High Altitude

Lastly, the Gladiator High Altitude trim costs $52,510, and it includes the Overland features plus leather upholstery, a hardtop, 20-inch wheels, LED headlights and fog lights, side steps, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Most options carry over.

Which Gladiator Top Is Right for Me?

The Jeep Gladiator is offered with two roof configurations: a standard soft top (Sunrider) and an available three-piece hardtop (Freedom Top). Both have their share of perks and trade-offs.

The hardtop does a better job of insulating the cabin from road and wind noise, and it provides an extra level of protection for valuables kept inside. The two small panels over the front seat area are easy to remove quickly, but the rear section is much bulkier. It’s bolted to the vehicle, and you should have another person to help remove it. While the two small front panels can easily be stowed in the back seat or bed, the rear section needs to be left behind once removed. The soft top, on the other hand, only takes a few seconds to raise or lower, but it folds up awkwardly in plain sight above the rear headrests.

Which Gladiator Model Is Best for Towing and Hauling?

The Jeep Gladiator offers impressive towing and hauling ability, at least as long as you spec the right options. The Gladiator Sport trim with the V6 gas engine and manual transmission is the best pick for hauling cargo in the bed. This configuration offers the truck’s maximum payload rating of 1,700 pounds. On the other hand, the Gladiator Sport with the gas V6, automatic transmission, and Max Tow package is the best option for pulling a trailer, thanks to its maximum tow rating of 7,650 pounds.

It’s worth noting that the Gladiator EcoDiesel feels punchier when pulling heavy loads, though these models have lower payload and tow ratings (a max of 1,325 and 6,500 pounds, respectively).

Which Gladiator Model Is Best for Off-Roading?

Just about every Gladiator model is well-suited for off-roading, thanks to standard features like a four-wheel-drive system, high- and low-range gearing, and a beefy solid-axle suspension. In fact, even base models have an impressive 10 inches of ground clearance. That said, we suggest opting for the Rubicon or Mojave trims if you plan to venture far off the beaten path.

The Gladiator Rubicon is tailored for lower-speed rock-crawling, and it’s outfitted with 33-inch all-terrain tires, an electronic disconnecting sway bar for increased wheel articulation, heavier duty springs and shock absorbers that provide an extra inch of lift, and locking front and rear differentials. The Gladiator Mojave, on the other hand, is set up for higher-speed desert driving (hence its name). It features specially tuned shock absorbers with increased oil capacity and a massive 11.6 inches of ground clearance.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Jeep dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Jeep deals page .

See 2022 Jeep Gladiator specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is truly the “Wrangler of pickup trucks” … for better and worse. The Gladiator is an off-road champ and offers impressive towing and hauling ability. On the other hand, it’s a lot pricier and less refined to drive day to day than many of its compact pickup truck companions. Before you buy, you may want to consider rivals like the Ford Ranger or Chevrolet Colorado .

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• “As an extremely capable off-roader, it’s excellent. But owners will have to tolerate less-than-impeccable on-road manners.”Kelley Blue Book
• “We’ll go out on a limb and proclaim this to be Jeep’s best diesel pickup ever. It isn’t without its drawbacks.”Car and Driver (2021)
• “Jeep’s new Gladiator truck has been a long time coming. … Fortunately, after a lengthy test both on- and off-road in Northern California, I can tell you…more
  CNET (2020)