Is the 2025 Jeep Gladiator a Good Pickup Truck? 5 Pros, 3 Cons

The Jeep Gladiator pickup truck launched for the 2020 model year on a stretched Jeep Wrangler frame, and it remains the only off-road-ready pickup truck you can buy with a removable top and doors for open-air motoring. An update for 2024 brought assorted cosmetic and safety updates to both the Gladiator and Wrangler to help keep them fresh without changing their core appeal.

Related: 2024 Jeep Gladiator Review: Minor Updates, But Still a Funky Truck

For better or worse, that means the Gladiator continues with front and rear solid axles — along with the vague steering and clumsy on-road handling that comes with them. Adding to the retro feel, the only available engine remains the aging and unrefined Pentastar V-6. None of that will matter to the Jeep faithful, for whom the whole “brand-new vintage car” vibe is part of the appeal. In a nod to modernity, the Gladiator gets more off-road capability, added safety features and a new dash with the latest version of the Uconnect multimedia system. (The eight-speed automatic transmission is now standard across the lineup for the 2025 model.)

Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman spent a week with an updated Gladiator pickup in the new Mojave X off-road trim, and he liked what he found — but some drawbacks remain. Tap the link above to read Bragman’s expert review, or for a quicker rundown, keep reading to learn five things we like about the updated Jeep Gladiator and three things we don’t.

What Do We Like About the Jeep Gladiator?

1. Make Mine Mojave

Aimed at competing with desert-runner versions of more traditional off-road pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the new Mojave and Mojave X trims get numerous upgrades for blasting across open spaces without sacrificing rock-crawling capability. These include Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with remote reservoirs, Fox front hydraulic jounce dampers, a 1-inch front lift, high-clearance fender flares and 33-inch all-terrain tires. The upgrades do a commendable job, lending a more stable and planted feel when traversing the rough stuff at speed. Part-time four-wheel drive is standard on the Mojave, and the Mojave X gets Selec-Trac full-time 4WD.

2. Added Comfort and Style

As much as we like the Mojave’s added capability, stepping up brings some nicer touches. Our test Gladiator arrived in the Mojave X trim, which is the fancier of the two; it adds upscale touches including a body-colored top and fender flares, navigation and Nappa leather upholstery. Bold “Mojave” lettering on the hood and orange trim lend a distinct look and really popped against the Sarge Green paint on our test vehicle.

3. Improved Uconnect

The Uconnect infotainment system used by Jeep and some other models from parent automaker Stellantis remains one of the best and easiest to use on the market, and the Gladiator gets the latest version as part of the 2024 refresh. A 12.3-inch touchscreen dominates the center of the new dash design and has vivid graphics and simple menus. Thankfully, Jeep has avoided going completely digital, continuing with buttons and knobs for frequently used audio and temperature functions.

4. Added Amenities

Other improvements include available 12-way power adjustable front seats, something Jeep previously said wasn’t possible with an interior that can be washed out with a hose. Evidently, the brand figured that out. There’s also a new radio antenna integrated into the windshield, new wheel designs and new curtain airbags mounted in the upper rails. Taller drivers should take note that the airbag location is right next to your head, which can cause you to get smacked in the noggin on rougher surfaces.

5. Gladiator Goodness

The Gladiator has certain advantages over its Wrangler sibling, including the added hauling capability of a 5-foot cargo bed. To accommodate the extra length, the Gladiator gets a longer wheelbase, which also results in a smoother ride. What the added length doesn’t get you, however, is a more spacious interior. Though six-footers may wish for more front legroom, there’s adequate room for three across seating in the rear seat. The rear seat also folds flat for cargo, but there’s no pass through to the cargo bed for longer items.

More From Cars.com:

• 2025 Jeep Gladiator Dark Sky: Fancy Finishes at a Lower Price
• Here Are the 10 Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Right Now
• Pickup Truck Buying Guide: How Much Truck Do You Need?
• Research the Jeep Gladiator
• Find Your Next Car

What Do We Dislike About the Jeep Gladiator?

1. Poky Powertrain

At least for now, the only engine available in the Gladiator is the aging 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. While the engine provides sufficient torque for rock crawling, accelerating up to highway speeds is more leisurely. The V-6 is also coarse, noisy and less efficient than newer designs, delivering neither the power nor the fuel mileage of competitors. The Gladiator earns an EPA rating of just 19 mpg combined with the automatic transmission and 18 mpg combined with the manual.

2. Pricey Pickup

Like any Jeep these days, a Gladiator is not an inexpensive proposition. Our 2024 Gladiator Mojave X came to a lofty $71,320, optioned up from a base price of $64,890 (prices include destination). A comparable Colorado ZR2 Bison is notably less in either the base trim or heavily optioned, and the starting price of a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is more than $7,000 less despite having more power and a nicer interior.  

3. Creaky Cruiser

The very attributes that make the Gladiator so appealing to some are exactly what makes it so unappealing to others. Those removable body panels open up a world of open-air motoring, but they also make for a creaky body structure. The cabin is noisy underway, and on-road handling is clumsy. But in an age of increasingly amorphous sedans and SUVs, the Gladiator is one way to separate yourself from the crowd, and that alone is enough to seal the deal for some.

Related Video:

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.