Should the 2021 Jeep Gladiator be your next truck?

When the new generation of Jeep Gladiators came on the scene in 2020, it instantly became one of the toughest trucks on the road. From its rugged utilitarian style to its raw strength, the 2021 Gladiator raises the bar for other pickup trucks.
Should the 2021 Jeep Gladiator be your next truck? Take a look at our favorite features to see if it’s the right one for your adventures.
 
A Wrangler With a Bed
We like to think of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator as a Wrangler with a bed. The reasons for this are more than the Gladiator’s looks. You’ll find many of the same terrain-tackling features Wranglers are famous for in the Gladiator’s arsenal. If you’re looking for an off-roading truck that doesn’t adhere to the limitations the lines on the pavement set, the Gladiator is calling you.
 
Off-Road Performance
Each Gladiator model — the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Overland, 80th Anniversary Edition, Mojave, Rubicon, and High Altitude — is a powerful performer in its own right. But as you progress through the trim levels, its capability and ability to tackle tougher terrains increases.
As with the Wrangler, the Rubicon is one of the most outfitted models for the Gladiator. Its extensive list of performance features includes the locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, the Rock-Trac 4:1 transfer case, and off-road-tuned FOX shocks. The Gladiator Mojave is the first-ever desert-rated Jeep vehicle. It offers an enhanced level of traction designed for loose surfaces such as sand and gravel.
If you don’t need these next-level off-road features, the lower trim levels will please smaller budgets. But with four-wheel drive being standard at all trim levels, it’s difficult to find a truck as capable as any Gladiator trim level.
 
Engine Options
Even the base model of this truck offers awesome power. All trims come standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission but has the option to switch to an eight-speed automatic.
You’ll also have the choice to go diesel with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine, which delivers 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine is only available with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
 
Towing and Payload
The Gladiator’s tough body and muscle allow it to tow up to a best-in-class 7,650 pounds with its gasoline engine. This pickup also gives you plenty of features to handle your towing jobs, such as the trailer sway control system, a rear back-up camera with a hitch zoom and trailer guidelines, and an integrated trailer brake controller.
If you’re loading your gear into the box, the Gladiator’s best-in-class four-wheel-drive 1,700-pound payload capacity lets you carry what you need to make the most of your trips. The 2021 Gladiator’s 5-foot cargo bed’s list of standard and available features includes four integrated tie-down loops, a 115-volt power outlet, a three-position tailgate, LED lighting, and a spray-in bedliner. Add the available Trail Rail system to better organize and secure your adventure gear.
 
Exterior Features
One of the most alluring features the Gladiator offers is its ability to turn into an open-air explorer. The 2021 Gladiator comes standard with removable doors and a fold-down windshield. You’ll also have the choice of multiple rooftop options, including the zipperless Sunrider soft top and the hardtop. Both are removable, which allows you to remove the separation between your cabin and the great outdoors.
The Gladiator’s front fascia features Wrangler-style round headlamps on either side of the iconic seven-slot grille. Other standard and available exterior features include heated side mirrors, an LED lighting group, splash guards, and more. The Gladiator has 10 wheel styles to choose from in sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches. Choose the High Altitude model to equip your Gladiator with black accents, tow hooks, and body-color fender flares and bumpers.
 
Interior Comfort
The Gladiator’s rugged style is also on display in its cabin. Though the dashboard and controls look ready for a safari, the Gladiator’s passenger space is designed to keep you comfortable for the long haul. Choose between the black color scheme or the contrasting color combinations for a unique atmosphere. Opt for the durable cloth seats or the leather-trimmed bucket seats with sport bolsters. The available heated front seats and heated steering wheel will keep you cozy during your winter trips. Move up through the trim levels to find a Gladiator that offers your ideal truck experience.
 
High Technology
Each 2021 Jeep Gladiator comes equipped with an intuitive touch screen. In the Willys model, the touch screen is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay programs, which allow you to stream many of your favorite phone features directly through your truck. The Gladiator’s available Wi-Fi hot spot allows eight devices to maintain an internet connection on the road. You can also choose a trim level equipped with a wireless Bluetooth speaker and an Alpine audio system for a premium listening experience.
 
Next-Level Safety
To keep you as safe on the pavement as it does off-road, the 2021 Gladiator offers some impressive advanced safety technologies that will improve your awareness of other vehicles sharing the road with you.
These features include the blind-spot monitoring system, which helps you know if the coast is clear when you want to change lanes. The forward collision warning with active braking warns you when it detects potential danger and even applies the Gladiator’s brakes when it detects an imminent collision. Use the rear cross-path detection system to safely reverse out of parking spots. These smart safety features, along with the Gladiator’s high-strength steel frame and advanced air bag system, work hard to keep you free from harm on busy roads.
If you want to check out the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, schedule a test drive with our team at Huffines CJDR Lewisville. Once you experience what the Gladiator has to offer, your next truck just might be your favorite truck of all time.
 
Image via Jeep.com