When somebody is thinking of off roading they want a durable vehicle which supports difficult terrains. Jeep is probably one of the only companies who are still manufacturing quality trail ready vehicles. They can sustain in difficult conditions and tackle off roading very easily even within extreme usage.
Jeep already has a good reputation so it is natural that Gladiator will be expected to perform well off road. This pick up truck has 7 dream options and starts at 33,545 USD. In this guide, we will try to find out why this particular vehicle is a must buy and how well it performs in off-roading.
Design and Expectations
The design of Gladiator is based on Wrangler which has evolved into something much more powerful. So far the jeeps we see are mid size as compared to normal vehicles but Gladiator is big. Along with being big this vehicle is also comparatively expensive to other vehicles offered by Jeep.
The company usually manufactures wagons but this one is a tray back ute. One thing Jeep is known for is the off road performance so it is natural that Gladiator should be expected to hold its own in difficult trails. The vehicle has a presence of its own and stands out in comparison to other cars and trucks.
It has a very distinctive design with right angles and straight lines. The design is made to sustain different trends in vehicle design so one may expect its popularity to stay the same over the years. As compared to Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma, this pick up truck has a four wheel drive with a 5 foot bed.
From the front it looks exactly like the Wrangler and one might not expect it to have a bed at the back. Out of the seven trims offered for the 2020 Gladiator the least expensive one is the Sport. The High Altitude trim is the most expensive one which starts at the price of 51,445 USD. Mohave and Rubicon are both tied for second place as the second most expensive trim.
Rubicon offers trimmings like LED headlights, protective cab, forward facing off road camera, 2 piece body colour fender flares, cargo bed rock rails, and 33 inch tires along with a Rock Trac 4×4 system. Additional features include a premium audio system, adaptive cruise control, a body colour 3 piece hard top, 17 inch polished black aluminium wheels, and leather trimmed bucket seats.
How Well Is It for Off Roading?
We will be analysing the pickup truck based on its capability to handle itself off road and how it impacts other features. The truck is powered by a 3.6 Pentastar V6 engine. It has different gear modes and also allows to auto engage the drive depending on the traction. With a stick shift transfer case, the truck is allowed to perform well in difficult terrains.
While this is somewhat of a standard for off roading a modernised selector would have worked well in this vehicle. The more inexpensive designs included a utilitarian factor which seems missing in Gladiator. The engine of the truck is specially designed for low range torque which will correspond to performing well with low speeds.
Activities related to no speed includes not only off roading but also hauling cargo, towing, and driving in harsh conditions. Even if the design is based on Wrangler there are differences which directly impact the fuel economy. It is bulkier with a unibody construction which can negatively impact the fuel efficiency. It was designed with the idea of holding the ground while transporting heavy cargo.
The Rubicon trim also has water fording ability upto 30 inches. The coins have great comfort and the solid front axle is good for a suspension flex. It is a good choice for off roading specifically even if one is carrying heavy loads. It works when with hill climbing and as the support from a high suspension flex which tracks everything correctly and keeps the wheels grounded.
It is an absolute beast when it comes to off-roading so make sure you know the extent to which it can help in difficult trails. You must visit the website to see the review of how well Thai trucks function off-road.
Perfect for Off Roading
Purchases like the Jeep Gladiator might be on the higher side but it is perfect for driving in difficult conditions. The truck has a longer wheelbase which is a great determiner in keeping the vehicle on track. In 4×4 situations that truck was great in drivability and technical agility. It can easily clear over bushes and rocks without losing its grip on the ground.
It is balanced and gives reasonable stability. For the driver it is very comfortable, and for the passengers that has abundant room. There is no shortage of legroom and headroom and the bed can carry a lot of cargo without the vehicle feeling any burden. It can easily glide through bumps, tilts and uneven trails.
The suspension was good enough to take the brand of the turbulence but did not make the driver oblivious to it. This was probably for the best because it makes the driver more aware of the terrain they are driving in and inspires confidence for driving easily in more uneven ground. The four wheel drive ants to the comfort and balances the traction as and when needed to keep all the four wheels steady on the ground.
The Takeaway
The verdict is out and our guide shows that the Gladiator is a must buy for any driver who is going to do low speed activities. Off roading is perfect in this particular vehicle which provides complete comfort and study drive in harsh conditions. It has a good design inspired from the Jeep Wrangler and stands true to all the expectations one can have from it. So pick one of the seven trims and get started!
