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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2022 Jeep Gladiator Review: Off-Road Pickup
In a sea of pickup options, the 2022 Jeep Gladiator brings that unique Jeep-ness with serious off-road creds and a standard 6-speed manual.
What’s New for the 2022 Jeep Gladiator?
The 2022 Jeep Gladiator revives a nameplate and pickup body style first seen on the SJ version built by Jeep from 1962-1988. This modern JT Gladiator, introduced in 2020, follows the same format, blending the off-roadability of a Wrangler with a 5-foot pickup truck bed. It also offers a 6-speed manual, which has all but disappeared from trucks, and the option to fold down the windshield and remove the doors and top. Something you won’t find on any other pickup truck. New, versus the 2021 Gladiator that we review here, is Uconnect 4 – Stellantis’ infotainment software – that replaces Uconnect 3 on base Gladiators and an 8.4-inch touchscreen display standard on Overland models and above.
2022 Jeep Gladiator – jeep.com | Shop 2022 Jeep Gladiator on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
You can paint your Gladiator in Snazzberry
A pickup with manual transmission!
Factory 33″ all-terrain tires are off-roady ready
Waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker
Heated seats aren’t standard on a $54K truck
4×4 capability meets truck utility
2022 Gladiator Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 260 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 9 available trims
- Auto-4WD system adjusts to road conditions
- Standard Trailer Sway Control
- Configurable 7″ digital gauge cluster
- No mileage restriction on complimentary maintenance
2022 Jeep Gladiator Powertrain
Offering a 6-speed manual transmission, the 2022 Jeep Gladiator is in a tiny club of pickups that still let buyers row their own gears. The other is Toyota’s Tacoma, which we compare to the Gladiator here. It pairs with a standard 3.6L V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which can be mated to an 8-speed automatic for an additional $2,000. All four wheels are powered, though you can set the transfer case to 2-Hi when you don’t need maximum grip.
An available 3.0L EcoDiesel mill offers 260 horses and a healthy 442 torques, making it ideal for keeping the Gladiator moving in sloppy trail conditions. For regular paved conditions, solid front and rear axles mean the Gladiator is going to drive like a traditional pickup truck, so don’t expect canyon carving handling. What you can expect is off-road prowess with up to 11.6-inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford more than 31-inches of water with the Rubicon.
Towing & Payload
The 2022 Gladiator tops out at an impressive 7,650 pounds of trailering capacity, more than enough to bring your toys to the trail. A standard 5-foot bed can accommodate small dirt bikes and the like with the liftgate opened up to 81-inches and a max payload of 1,700 pounds. Jeep offers a Trail Rail Management System that adds a 400-watt power inverter, 115-volt outlet in the bed and lockable bin under the rear seat to make adventuring easier.
2022 Jeep Gladiator Fuel Economy & MPG
Those classic, square-jaw Jeep looks and sturdy steel construction come with a cost at the fuel pumps. Fitted with the automatic transmission, gas-powered Gladiators achieve 17 mpg in city driving and 22 on the highway. With the standard 6-speed manual, those figures change to 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. If you pony up the extra $4,000 for the diesel, fuel economy steps up to 22/28 mpg in city/highway driving, which helped the Gladiator land a spot on this list of best midsize pickup trucks.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
There is nothing quite like a Jeep when it comes to letting the outside in via removable doors, fold-down windshield and all manner of top configurations, all of which applies to the 2022 Gladiator. Versus its Wrangler cousin, an extra 2” of rear legroom are on hand for a total of 38 inches and higher-spec models feature fancy quilted Nappa leather with heated cushions. It’s a noisy place to be, so opt for the $555 hardtop headliner to add a layer of insulation for temperature control and a quieter cabin.
Entertainment & Technology
Across the Gladiator lineup, a touchscreen infotainment interface is standard, though you’ll need at least an Overland model, or pricey package, to access the larger 8.4-inch screen. That system comes with Apple and Android smartphone integration, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a 5-year subscription to SiriusXM’s live traffic feed. Other niceties include an Alpine stereo system with nine speakers and reconfigurable 7-inch digital gauge cluster. An auxiliary cabin switch bank offers tie-ins for accessories like trail lighting and an available portable Bluetooth speaker is safe under three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
Safety Features
The typical litany of advanced driver-aids found across the automotive landscape these days does not apply to the 2022 Jeep Gladiator. In fact, there are no standard assistance systems, aside from a backup camera, until you reach the top-spec High Altitude model that includes BSM with RCTA and reverse sonar. You can add on ACC with Forward Collision warning and automatic high beams via the Active Safety package, but that’s it.
2022 Jeep Gladiator Trims & Pricing
Sport – $37,205
Gladiator Sport is all about the basics with steel wheels, hand-crank windows, manual transmission and a black soft top. A seven-inch infotainment touchscreen features Uconnect 4 software with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Driver aids are limited to a backup camera but standard trailering gear includes a Class II hitch receiver, 4/7-pin wiring harness and Trailer Sway Control.
Willys Sport – $39,305
Leaning on a name from Jeep’s origin story, the Willys Sport in Sarge Green with a black Willys hood decal certainly looks the stuff. The Willys Sport trim includes 17-inch black alloys on all-terrain tires with body-colored accents and cab rock rails. Tack on the $1,595 Max Tow package to add Dana 44 axles front and back and a 240-amp alternator.
Sport S – $40,605
Gladiator Sport S dials up the convenience with power windows and locks, heated side mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. From here on up, the 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Uconnect 4C software is included as is a 9-speaker Alpine audio system and navigation.
Altitude – $42,400
Adding a touch of luxury, Altitude models come with a 3-piece hardtop, automatic climate control and 7-inch digital gauge cluster. Standard Altitude amenities include keyless proximity entry, a sliding rear window with defrost and Trailer Hitch Zoom View.
Willys – $43,500
The Willys model distinguishes itself from the Willys Sport with a power-operated tailgate lock, remote start and leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also has access to packages like the Active Safety Group that adds Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) for $995.
Overland – $45,310
Overland models are nicely outfitted with 18-inch wheels, side steps and push button start. Inside, soft-touch door panels, LED ambient lighting and optional leather upholstery dress things up. You can also option a forward-facing trail camera for $595.
Rubicon – $48,855
As the dedicated off-roader in this broad lineup, Rubicon trim sports 33-inch tires, sway bar disconnect and an 84:1 crawl ratio with special FOX dampers. A red dash fascia and red upholstery stitching add some sport to the cabin, while a $695 Cold Weather Group brings heated front seats and steering wheel.
Mojave – $49,150
Jeep positions the 2022 Gladiator Mojave as a desert racer and to that end it is fitted with a specially tuned suspension. Like the Rubicon, it features big 33-inch tires, while adding sport seats with heavier bolstering and a competition leather-trimmed steering wheel.
High Altitude – $54,105
Well past $50,000, High Altitude models feature a monochromatic exterior that imbue them with upscale looks. The High Altitude includes 20-inch wheels complete that effort along with full LED lighting. Quilted Nappa leather used on the seats and dashboard are a nice touch and for $795, you can add Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and automatic high beams.
Warranties
Jeep currently offers a generous 3 years of complimentary factory maintenance with no mileage restriction. The basic vehicle warranty runs 3 years or 60,000 miles, while the powertrain and roadside assistance coverage is good for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
What we think
2022 Jeep Gladiator – jeep.com | Shop 2022 Jeep Gladiator on Carsforsale.com
There is no denying the 2022 Jeep Gladiator brings a unique cool factor to the table, especially in Rubicon or Mojave dress with a 6-speed manual. It is certainly a very capable off-road pickup truck for those that are routinely getting loose in the woods. That being said, I imagine daily driving the Gladiator would get tiresome with the rough ride, outside noise and limited creature comforts.
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