From the looks of it, the Jeep Gladiator is a Wrangler. Except that it isn’t. Gladiator has a 5-foot steel bed in back, which makes it a pickup truck. In front of the bed, however, is what appears to be a four-door Wrangler body, and the Wrangler is an SUV.
Gladiator isn’t just a Wrangler with a bed. It’s a for-real truck, built for maximum towing and payload capacities beyond the scope of the Wrangler. Those maximum capacities are up to 7,700 pounds for towing, and up to 1,725 pounds for payload.
Yet Gladiator is far from just another pickup truck. It’s the only one in the industry to provide the joy of open-air adventure, with a folding windshield, three removable roof choices, and removable doors.
I didn’t dismantle my 2025 Jeep Gladiator test truck. It exceeded my maximum lifting capacity. Even if through some sort of hysterical-strength episode I were able to dislodge parts of the truck, I knew chances were slim I’d get them put back together correctly, based on previous experience with nearly everything I’ve taken apart.
New for 2025, all Gladiators come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power lock and power windows are now standard across the board. Two new colors are added to the paint palette: Fathom Blue, and ’41, inspired by military olive drab. A feature called Active Cabin Ventilation is available, enabling owners to pre-condition their Gladiator’s cabin, evacuating hot air in warmer weather, via the Jeep Connect mobile app before entering the vehicle.
Gladiator trim levels include Sport, Nighthawk, Sport S, Willys, High Tide, Big Bear, Texas Trail, Mohave, Rubicon, Rubicon X, and Mohave X. All versions have four-wheel drive and are powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Pricing ranges from $40,095 to $63,095.
I drove the 2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon X model. Just one step down from the lineup’s apex, the Rubicon X is awash with advanced heavy-duty all-terrain equipment and indulgent luxury features. My tester was abetted by a $10,000 option package that included, among many special features, an Alpine Premium Audio System. Another $4,880 in assorted add-ons and upgrades bumped the bottom line.
Gladiator’s ride is rough and noisy. Its handling is nothing to be proud of. But for outdoor adventuring in a truck, Gladiator is unparalleled, and for Jeep lovers in general, nothing else will do. I admit I’m one of the smitten.
Gladiator’s rough-terrain equipment isn’t just going to waste, as with some other 4×4 trucks. I’ve seen Gladiators getting nice and dirty at the Reiter Foothills State Forest off-road area in Gold Bar.
Fuel economy is a sore issue for the Gladiator, and I’m one of the recoilers. But Jeep is introducing a Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid later this year, a cause for celebration.
My test truck’s Firecracker Red paint was visible for a mile. So was the smile on my face.
2025 JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON X
Base price, including destination charge: $51,100
Price as driven: $68,470
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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