2021 Jeep Gladiator: Review, Trims, Specs, Price, New Interior Features, Exterior Design, and Specifications

$34,960 - $45,240

Price Range (MSRP)

2021 Jeep Gladiator For Sale

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2021 Jeep Gladiator Review: Desert-Running Wrangler Pickup

by Morgan Carter

Considering its reputation for rugged, adventurous, highly-capable vehicles, it's surprising that Jeep took this long to give us its first pickup truck. The 2021 Jeep Gladiator is only in its second year of production, but it's made quite a splash already. It is essentially a Wrangler riding on a Ram platform, which means it is relatively small, yet it competes with highly popular midsize rivals like the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, or Toyota Tacoma. To keep up, it comes equipped with a gas-fed V6 that delivers 285 horsepower or a diesel V6 with 442 lb-ft of torque. Properly outfitted, it can tow up to 7,650 pounds, which helps it stay competitive. And, since this is the most competitive market in the USA, there is no room for mistakes. The Gladiator pickup is a bit pricey, but it benefits greatly from Jeep's unparalleled mastery of off-road shenanigans. But, will that be enough for it to draw attention away from more established and beloved trucks?

Read in this review:

Exterior Design 10 /10
Performance 10 /10
Fuel Economy 7 /10
Interior & Cargo 9 /10
Infotainment & Features 10 /10
Reliability 9 /10
Safety 8 /10
Value For Money 8 /10

8.9

What is BuzzScore?

2021 Jeep Gladiator Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2020 Gladiator?

The big change for the 2021 Gladiator model is the addition of a new engine option - the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel 6-cylinder with 442 lb-ft of torque. While it doesn't offer the highest towing capacity in the lineup, that easy access to power throughout the rev range is impossible to ignore. It also returns slightly better fuel economy figures, if you care about that. The other notable update is that full-time four-wheel drive is available on every Gladiator pickup trim. Aside from that, there are the usual array of Jeep special editions, such as the 80th Anniversary, Willys, and Texas Trail. Each get their own unique styling or selling points to set them apart from one another, but the differences are skin deep at best. Overland models boast a TrailCam forward-facing off-road camera, and the Sport can option on LED headlights and fog lights.

Pros and Cons

Unmistakable Jeep styling
Highly competitive towing
One of the most capable off-roaders
Fully removable roof and doors
Decent amount of rear seat space
Smooth infotainment suite

Gets choppy on the highway
Unresponsive steering
Plenty of wind and road noise
Desirable safety tech costs more

Best Deals on 2021 Jeep Gladiator

2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave

$45,995

28,525 miles

Fair Deal

Average price

2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland

$64,976

14,593 miles

2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland

$36,995

45,350 miles

2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport

$34,995

30,281 miles

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2021 Jeep Gladiator Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Price (MSRP)
Sport	3.6L V6 Gas	6-Speed Manual	Four-Wheel Drive	$34,960
Sport S	3.6L V6 Gas	6-Speed Manual	Four-Wheel Drive	$34,960
80th Anniversary	3.6L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Four-Wheel Drive	$34,960
Willys	3.6L V6 Gas	6-Speed Manual	Four-Wheel Drive	$34,960
Willys Sport	3.6L V6 Gas	6-Speed Manual	Four-Wheel Drive	$34,960

See All 2021 Jeep Gladiator Trims and Specs

2021 Gladiator Exterior

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Dimensions

Length 218.0 in
Wheelbase 137.3 in
Height 75.0 in
Max Width 73.8 in
Curb Weight 4,650.0 lbs

Exterior Colors

Billet Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Build Out: 06/15/2021 +$245
Nacho Clearcoat, Build Out: 03/01/2021 +$245
Black Clearcoat +$295
Firecracker Red Clearcoat +$295
Granite Crystal Metallic Clearcoat +$295
Hydro Blue Pearlcoat +$295
Sarge Green Clearcoat +$295
Snazzberry Pearlcoat +$295
Sting-Gray Clearcoat +$295
Limited Edition Gecko Clearcoat +$395
Bright White Clearcoat

2021 Gladiator Performance

2021 Jeep Gladiator Front View Driving 1

Engine and Transmission

Engines

3.0L Turbo Diesel, 3.6L V6 Gas
Transmissions

6-Speed Manual, 8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain

4X4

2021 Gladiator Interior

2021 Jeep Gladiator Central Control Panel

See All 2021 Jeep Gladiator Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

Seating capacity

5-seater

Front Leg Room 41.2 in
Front Head Room 42.8 in
Rear Leg Room 38.3 in
Rear Head Room 42.8 in

2021 Gladiator Trunk and Cargo Space

2021 Gladiator Safety and Reliability

Warranty

Basic:
3 Years \ 36,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
Corrosion:
5 Years \ Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
Maintenance:
3 Years \ Unlimited Miles

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rollover Rating

Verdict: Is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator A Good Truck?

The Jeep Gladiator is an impressive vehicle for a first-generation model. The brand doesn't have the best track record of reliability, and with the removable doors and roof, you may question the truck's safety rating, too. Five recalls and a limited (and rather poor) review of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator by the NHTSA don't help to inspire confidence. However, it's not all doom and gloom.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a pickup that feels more at home off-road, but this comes at the cost of road comfort. It's honestly just a more rugged and practical Wrangler, which is both good and bad. If you like what the Wrangler offers, this may present you with a nice alternative, but it also offers nothing new. It's definitely more fun than its midsize competitors, but it doesn't come with any particularly special features. It's a decent four-door truck in a big pool of similarly capable cars, and if you like what Jeep does, it may be enough to get your attention.

What Jeep Gladiator Model Should I Buy?

The price of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator truck is pretty high, but we'd still recommend going for one of the upper trims. The lower levels simply don't give you enough value for your money, so you have to spend a little more to get a lot more. The Mojave is a sweet spot near the top, but still a lot cheaper than the High Altitude. It delivers a good balance between on road and off-road capabilities, but if you want to lean more into the latter, then the Rubicon is the way to go. The best advice we can give is to avoid any of the "special" editions, since they are really nothing special at all and often ask for a silly amount of extra cash.