2023 Jeep Gladiator Performance

Jeep's 3.6-liter Pentastar naturally-aspirated V6 engine is the standard powertrain. It's a reliable powertrain that has been used in a range of FCA - now Stellantis - products for years in some form or another. Independent tests have shown that it is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. While this is brisk, it's not class-leading. Ford has embraced the small-capacity turbocharged engine, and the result is a Ranger capable of sprinting to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Even Jeep has embraced this new trend, with the Wrangler being available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot - something which is not yet available for the Gladiator. The good news is that you can order a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, good for 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. You can add it to every model in the lineup except the base Sport for an additional $4,000, plus an additional $2,000 for an eight-speed automatic transmission. Oddly, even with all that additional torque, the gas model still has a higher towing capacity. Jeep claims the base V6 can tow up to 7,650 lbs, while the V6 diesel can only manage 6,500 lbs. The gasoline V6 nearly matches the Chevrolet Colorado's 7,700 lbs, while the diesel can't even match the old-school Toyota Tacoma.

Both the Gladiator's engines are tuned to provide low-down torque. A six-speed manual is standard, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is available for $2,000 extra. The gas V6 offers plenty of grunt with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft, the latter at 4,400 rpm, but at higher speeds, it runs out of steam. While hardcore off-roaders will undoubtedly praise Jeep for offering a manual, we reckon the eight-speed automatic is the better option.

The new turbocharged diesel offers loads of grunt. Jeep claims 260 hp, but we're more interested in the 442 lb-ft of torque, all of which are available from 1,400 rpm. The powerband is quite narrow, however. It delivers all of that torque between 1,400 and 2,800 rpm and runs into the redline at 4,600 rpm. Luckily, the eight-speed automatic offers a nice spread of ratios, enabling you to make the most of the engine. The spread goes all the way from 4.71 in first gear to a low 0.67 in eighth. Overtaking at higher speeds is a joy, as the diesel hardly ever had to gear down.

The Jeep Gladiator 3.6-liter V6 is thirsty, but on par in the segment. Its EPA-estimated gas mileage is 17/22/19 mpg city/highway/combined with the eight-speed auto, which is better than the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 V6's 16/18/17 mpg. With the six-speed manual transmission, these figures are 16/23/19 mpg. Ford shows what is capable with a small-capacity turbocharged engine, with the Ranger 4WD's consumption figures of 20/24/22 mpg. But if it's frugality you seek, Jeep's EcoDiesel is a few steps ahead, consuming just 22/28/24 mpg, while the Rubicon with this engine manages 21/27/24 mpg. The 3.6-liter gets a larger 22-gallon tank, good for a range of 418 miles. The diesel gets a smaller 18.3-gallon tank, but can do 440 miles between refills.