The Gladiator is Jeep’s first ever pick up based on the Wrangler Unlimited and comes as a spiritual successor to the Jeep Comanche. It rivals the Ford F-150 and the RAM 1500 in the UAE. While it has not yet been launched in the UAE, Jeep claims that is the most potent pickup which can also do some serious off-roading. With practicality being the prime objective, let’s find out what it packs inside.
EXTERIOR
To simply put it up, the Gladiator is nothing but a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited when viewed from the front, that is. Jeep wanted to play it safe and with the Wrangler winning hearts everywhere because of its rugged design, taking that conventional approach makes sense. The truck looks typically butch from every angle. The high ground clearance, the gigantic 7 slat grille and the bold plastic bumper, all elaborate its big daddy silhouette. A few features we can expect are as round LEDs outlining the headlamps and chrome surrounds for the fog lamps and ParkSense rear park assist system which is indispensable for something which is over 5.5 meters in length.
The side profile is unmistakably Wrangler with the stubby doors which are removable and portrays one long crease ending into the humongous trunk. The plastic door handles though, look rugged and could have been superseded by chrome door handles making it somewhat more opulent.
The rear is the most eye catching, and you see the mammoth in an all new avatar. The bed is 5 feet in length and has some serious credentials to its glory. It has 725 Kg of payload available and can tow 3470Kg and a 1005 liter cargo volume. For the design bit, you will find two wedged tail lamps and plastic cladding around the bumper. The proportions are: 5537 mm in length, 1875 mm in width, 1933 mm in height and has an overtly long wheelbase of 3487mm.
INTERIOR
If you’re well acquainted with the Wrangler, then you wouldn’t find anything outstanding inside the Gladiator. The cabin layout remains the same. It is most likely to have an overtly high dash line which might restrict visibility for shorter riders. The instrument cluster is basic and gets you the fuel meter display and a plenty of off-road settings for your intrepid adventures. The immense touchscreen infotainment system gets all the features such as Apple CarPlay, Andorid Auto, WiFi hotspot, Park assist and rear parking camera to name a few. It remains to be seen how much tech the GCC spec version gets. The center console is loaded with buttons including those for locking differential and selective 4X4.
As this beast is extremely long and wide, we expect it to good leg space at the back. A unique feature noting about is the removable roof which you might admire during your off-road ventures.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
At the time of its launch, it is likely that it will be offered with only a single engine option which is the tried and tested 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 motor developing an identical 285 hp and 353 Nm of torque. While these figures might not be class leading, let’s hope they would make for a smooth and linear driving experience on and off the road. Jeep claims a fuel economy of 8.2 Km/L for the truck and will mostly come mated to an 8 speed automatic gearbox.
VERDICT
The Wrangler surely pushes the boundaries of versatility amalgamating a relaxed driving experience, offering plenty of equipment on board and with the boot space available, it might succeed in eradicating the need for going for an SUV or a secondary vehicle. The issue of tight parking spaces has been prevalent and fitting the monster is going to be a task. However, if you are looking for an adventurous vehicle and plan to do frequent off-roading ventures and are ready to bear its shortcomings, then look no further as this can prove itself to be a true lifestyle vehicle and one which definitely deserves to be test driven.
