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Is it better to buy a new Jeep Gladiator or a gently used one? We test Jeep’s beloved pickup truck against itself to find out which is the better buy.
Is the Used Gladiator a Better Buy?
The 2024 Jeep Gladiator stands out as an incredibly unique and capable midsize truck. This latest iteration promises to be the best yet with new trims like the Mojave X and the Rubicon X.
As prospective buyers weigh their options they’ll have to decide whether or not a new Jeep Gladiator really is the better value when compared to a lightly used model so that’s what we’ll do today. We’ll compare the key considerations like specifications, driving performance, interior comfort, and available features. Then, we’ll crown a winner. Only one thing is certain, a Jeep Gladiator is going to come out on top.
Specs
When the Gladiator launched back in 2020, it was available with just a single engine, a 3.6-liter V6 that made 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It sent that power to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. The 2020 Gladiator gets up to 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway with the automatic.
The manual yields 16 mpg in the city but 23 on the highway so there’s a small trade-off on both sides. When properly equipped, the 2020 Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 pounds. In terms of pricing, a 2020 Gladiator will run anywhere from around $30,000 to $50,000 depending on options, trim level, and condition. For the purposes of this article, we only considered Gladiators with less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.
For 2024, Jeep has introduced a slew of important changes that really make it more than just a vaguely updated 2020 model. Sure, there are some styling differences but under the skin, this new Gladiator features a lot more equipment.
What hasn’t changed is the engine. Jeep still uses the same 3.6-liter V6 with the same output and fuel economy scores. It also uses the same transmissions and the same four-wheel drive systems.
The big differences come in the cabin. A new 12.3-inch infotainment system is standard, heated power-adjustable seats are available as are driver aids like adaptive cruise control. Of course, with these upgrades comes higher prices than one might pay on the used market.
The Gladiator now starts at $41,000 but can cost north of $60,000 depending on options and trim. Admittedly, a new vehicle comes with a warranty and three years of complimentary maintenance. That’s worth quite a bit of extra cash.
Driving and Performance
To put things nicely, the 2020 Gladiator isn’t exactly the most comfortable vehicle on the road. That’s important as it’s where the vast majority of people will drive it. The ride is a bit rough, the steering isn’t very sharp, and the body roll is noticeable in the corners. The V6 provides ample power though and makes it easy to navigate busy highways or city streets with ease. Interestingly, it’s off-road where the Gladiator comes into its own both on and off of big hairy trails.
On unpaved roads, it’s vastly more comfortable and smooth than one might expect. Then, when those unpaved roads become serious off-road trails, the Gladiator is incredibly capable, and thanks to many available parts from Jeep it’s modular in a way that enables additional capability.
Since these two model years share the exact same running gear it should come as no surprise that they drive almost identically. The steering is still a bit numb and clumsy, the body roll is evident, and the brakes need ample distance to bring the Gladiator to a halt. One big benefit of the new Gladiator is the LED headlights that help a lot at night. Again, as is the case with the older Gladiator, off-roading is where this pickup truck shines.
Comfort and Interior
Wrangler fans will immediately recognize the interior of the 2020 Gladiator. It’s not exactly identical but it’s so close that it takes an expert eye to spot the differences. In many ways that’s by design. The dash is close and upright, the seats offer a commanding view of the road, and the materials are intentionally rugged. Those seats are supportive and comfortable and all benefit from the removable top on the Gladiator too. A 5-inch infotainment system is standard but a 7-inch version and an 8.4-inch unit are available as is an Alpine sound system.
The biggest upgrade one gets in the 2024 Gladiator is an interior that feels far more modern. That new 12.3-inch infotainment system does a lot of heavy lifting too. It looks great and features Uconnect, a UX system that we think might be the very best in the business. The Gladiator is also available with dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a choice of leather or cloth seating surfaces.
Trims and Features
The 2020 Gladiator was available in five different trim levels kicking off with the Sport which has 17-inch wheels, all-season tires, manual door locks, manual windows, cruise control, a 5-inch infotainment system, eight speakers, a folding soft top, and a 4,500-pound towing capacity.
The Sport S comes next with alloy wheels, power door locks, heated power mirrors, power windows, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and access to additional features like a tougher towing package and more tech features like a 7-inch infotainment system.
Above the Sport S is the Overland which gets 18-inch wheels, side steps, tinted rear windows, automatic headlights, a 7-inch infotainment system, a 110-volt power outlet, LED ambient interior lighting, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Rubicon is the Gladiator you want if you’re tackling serious off-road trails. It gets a one-inch lift, 33-inch all-terrain tires, locking differentials, a remotely disconnectable sway bar, Fox shocks, rock rails, and skid plates.
Finally, the Mojave focuses on a different off-road angle, desert running. To that end, it gets unique Fox internal bypass shocks, a one-inch lift for the front of the vehicle, and a transfer case that allows low-range use at higher speeds. Interestingly, it loses the disconnecting sway bar and the locking front differential of the Rubicon.
The 2024 Gladiator is available in seven trims technically but a few are very slightly different from others so we’ll break it down. The lineup starts with the Sport model which gets 17-inch steel wheels, a folding soft top, manual door locks, manual windows, manual mirrors, a push-button start, cruise control, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and eight speakers.
The Sport S adds 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, a gorilla glass windshield, and powered door locks and windows.
Above that, the Willys trim gets rock rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an Off-road mode, a rear locking differential, LED fog lights, and black wheels.
The Rubicon comes with Dana 44 axles, 33-inch tires, locking differentials, an electronically disconnecting sway bar, rock rails, skid plates, Fox shocks, upgraded cloth upholstery, and a unique off-road focused two-speed transfer case.
The Mojave again loses the locking front diff and the disconnecting sway bar but gets a 1-inch front lift, Fox internal bypass shocks, a sport steering wheel, and a 7-inch driver information display.
Both the Rubicon and the Mojave are available as “X” models but the only change is that each one then uses a “Selec-Trac” full-time transfer case.
The Verdict
Pound for pound it’s hard to justify paying the additional cash for a new Gladiator but we think that it’s just barely worth it. We’d steer clear of the high-end Rubicon and Mojave trims probably as they represent a near-$20,000 investment over a used model but the Willys offers a whole lot for its asking price.
On top of that, a new Gladiator will come with a warranty and years of complimentary maintenance. The only potential way we’d go used is if we found a really nice certified pre-owned version. Ultimately, it’s hard to go wrong with the Gladiator if your plan is to go way off-road with a full cabin of people and a full bed of stuff.
