Jeep Gladiator vs Jeep Wrangler

With the release of the Gladiator in 2020 it brought another outstanding off-road option to the field. But what’s the difference between a Gladiator and a Wrangler and when do you want each one? Well, it all depends on what you’re looking for.

To make an informed decision and get the best vehicle for you need to know what each vehicle offers and compare it to what you want. We’ve got you covered with the former here.

The Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is a newer vehicle in the Jeep lineup, and it’s an excellent combination between a typical Wrangler and a compact pickup truck. Whether you’re looking to get off-road or tow some camping equipment to the next site, the Gladiator can do the job!

Engine Options

The Jeep Gladiator is a newer vehicle option, and because of this, there are only two engine options out there. The base level engine is a 3.6L V6 gasoline engine that pushes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

Another upgraded engine option in the Gladiator is a 3.0L V6 diesel engine. While the diesel engine pushes slightly less horsepower at 260, it more than makes up for this slight dip with the extra torque that it provides. While the gasoline engine delivers 260 lb-ft of torque, the diesel engine ups this to an impressive 442 lb-ft.

Ground Clearance, Payload, & Towing Specs

The Jeep Gladiator is a bit of a cross between a Wrangler and a small truck, and nothing highlights that quite like the towing specifications. The maximum towing capacity ranges from 4,000 to 4,500 pounds depending on the configuration you go with.

Meanwhile, the payload ranges between 1,080 and 1,200 pounds. It’s not going to keep up with a ½-ton pickup truck, but it fits right in with the specifications of other compact trucks.

It also sits an impressive 11.1 inches off the ground, so it can easily conquer off-road trails and obstacles. With a Gladiator you can tow, haul, and get off-road, and that’s what the Jeep life is all about!

The Jeep Wrangler

Nothing screams off-road freedom quite like the Jeep Wrangler. It’s dominated that niche for over 35 years, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to let up anytime soon. But how does a Wrangler differ from a Gladiator – well it all comes down to the options we’ll highlight here.

Engine Options

With a history that starts in 1987, it’s no surprise that the Wrangler has quite a few more engine options compared to the Gladiator. However, while there are quite a few gasoline engine options, Jeep only offers two diesel engines through the years – and only from 2006 to 2018.

However, starting with the 2021 model year Jeep does offer a hybrid engine option that significantly improves its fuel efficiency without sacrificing horsepower and torque numbers!

Ground Clearance, Payload, & Towing Specs

While you’re not going to find a Wrangler that sits quite as high as the Gladiator, with a ground clearance between 8.2 and 10.8 inches, it’s not like they sit close to the ground either. They’re high enough to easily climb over obstacles, and there are tons of lift kits out there if you want to raise them further.

Meanwhile, the maximum payload of a Wrangler can exceed that of a Gladiator. The maximum payload depending on the configuration is 1,351 pounds, but the minimum payload is much lower, starting at just 800 pounds.

Finally, while a Wrangler can tow smaller pieces of equipment, it can’t keep up with the Gladiator. Most Wranglers have a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, but some newer Wranglers with the right packages can tow up to 3,500 pounds. 3,500 pounds still falls a bit short compared to the Gladiator, but not by much.

Picking Between the Jeep Gladiator and the Jeep Wrangler

While both the Gladiator and Wrangler serve similar niches, it’s not identical. In short, you’ll want a Gladiator if you want your vehicle to complete more “truck-like” activities. If you want a truck bed, the ability to tow a bit more, and the space to haul materials while still maintaining the ability to travel off-road whenever you want, the Gladiator is the way to go.

Meanwhile, if you want a vehicle you can customize a ton while getting off-road, nothing can compare with a Wrangler. You won’t get a truck bed or the higher towing capacity, but with everything else you can customize while you’re getting off-road, it doesn’t matter all that much!

Final Thoughts

Do you have any questions about the Gladiator or the Wrangler or do you need a little help tracking down the perfect option for you? The team at Tim’s Truck would love to help you. Whether you still need a little more information to make an informed decision or you’re ready to find your dream vehicle, Tim’s Truck is your one-stop destination for it all.
And whether you get a Gladiator or a Wrangler you’re getting an extremely capable vehicle that’s fun to drive in a ton of different settings.

Pre-Owned Jeep Wrangler