It has been quite a while since Jeep offered a truck. You have to go back to 1992 when Jeep made the Comanche. Now Jeep has created a ton of excitement with the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon which they claim will be the most capable midsize truck. Does it live up to those words? Let’s find out.
The Jeep Heritage
If you look at it from the front, you will be forgiven for thinking it’s a Jeep Wrangler. That’s because the Gladiator Rubicon retains the legendary seven-slot grille. It has the same rugged design, the same look, and feel, but in a truck configuration. In fact, some people are even calling it the Wrangler pickup truck, but of course, that’s not an official name.
In line with its Jeep heritage, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is also being built in Toledo, Ohio where Jeep vehicles have been made since the 1940s.
Off-Road Capabilities and Features
It’s not a Jeep if it can’t go off-road and the Gladiator Rubicon is certainly all Jeep. It’s a highly capable off-road pickup truck with an impressive towing capacity of up to 7,650 pounds, a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds, and water fording of up to 30 inches. This is one truck that can take you virtually anywhere!
So what does this new Jeep pickup truck have that gives its superb off-road capabilities?
Two Engine Configurations
For starters, it has two engine configurations. The tried-and-tested 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with Engine Stop-Start (ESS) paired to either an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. It produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque while the ESS ensures the Gladiator is as fuel-efficient as possible, with a city/highway MPG of 16 and 23, respectively.
There is also the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with ESS paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, but you will have to wait until 2020 for this powertrain to become available.
Gladiator Rubicon Gearing
For those that want the best, the Jeep Rubicon is it and Jeep doesn’t disappoint with the Gladiator Rubicon.
The Rubicon variant uses the Rock-Trac 4×4 (four-wheel-drive) system that has Dana 44 front and rear axles with a “4LO” ratio of 4:1. A 4.10 front and rear axle ratio are standard as are Tru-Lok locking differentials.
It comes with a low-range gearing of four to one paired with user-selectable front and rear locking differentials and an electronically disconnecting sway bar.
To give the Rubicon an offroad feel Jeep added large 33-inch Falken off-road tires and increased the fender height. For those that need a little heads up, an optional forward-facing trail camera can be added.
Ground Clearance
Jeep stated that the Gladiator Rubicon has a high ground clearance of 11.1 inches. It also boasts of an approach angle of 43.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.3 degrees, and a departure angle of 26 degrees. And you need not worry about the underbelly as it is protected by high-strength steel skid plates to protect the transfer case and the fuel tank.
The Rubicon comes equipped with forged tow hooks both on the front and rear. Tow Hooks are perfect for the times when you might need to help other off-roaders get out of any predicament.
Cameras
In addition to these off-roading features, it also has the TrailCam Off-Road Camera that is a great help when navigating an unfamiliar road or path. A ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera not only assists when you’re backing up but also guides you to better align the truck to a trailer.
Other Jeep Gladiator Specifications
While all 2020 Jeep Gladiators are 4x4s, different variants use different advanced 4×4 systems. On the Sport and Overland variants, the Command-Trac 4×4 system is used. It has a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and heavy-duty third-generation Dana 44 front and rear axles with a 3.73 rear axle ratio.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon will be sporting 17-inch granite crystal aluminum wheels with polished edge.
Do you prefer a better sense of freedom? Then go with the no-top variant, but hardtops and soft tops are available as well. It really depends on your style.
For entertainment, it features a fourth-generation Uconnect system that uses Voice Command to answer your phone calls and control your music, allowing your hands to focus on driving. The system uses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available with 7.0 or 8.0 touchscreens.
As for safety features, the Rubicon has Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, and Rear Cross Path Detection.
It’s the Pickup Truck for Off-Road Enthusiasts
With best-in-class towing and payload capabilities, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is definitely the 4×4 off-road truck that Jeep enthusiasts have been waiting all these years.
The Gladiator Rubicon is currently available with a starting price tag of $43,545 MSRP.
This post was last modified on February 7, 2020 3:35 pm
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