Despite a slow start in 2020, which could easily be blamed on the pandemic, the Jeep Gladiator has been a success story for the American brand. Last year, Jeep sold 89,712 Gladiators in the USA.
Over the same period, Toyota sold 252,490 Tacomas, though we have to admit that it's an unfair comparison. The Gladiator is more of a niche vehicle. You can remove the doors and the roof and order it in a wild color. The Taco is the safe, reliable choice, while the Gladiator caters to those searching for something a bit more extroverted.
One of the best ways to express your extroverted nature is via color, and Jeep has always given its customers exactly what they want. Last year the Gladiator was available in Gecko (green), Nacho (orange), and Chief Blue.
The Gladiator is only getting one new color this year, but it's an extremely vibrant yellow.
The new yellow is called High Velocity, and it's the first time the Gladiator is available in a ripe lemon hue.
"Since the Jeep Gladiator arrived for the 2020 model year, customization has been a huge part of its identity," said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. "In response to customer requests, High Velocity is the latest example of another bold shade that strengthens the enthusiastic personality of our loyal and avid Jeep community."
High Velocity joins Firecracker Red, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Silver Zynith, Sting-Gray, Granite Crystal, Black, and Bright White as available exterior paint colors for the 2023 Jeep Gladiator. Unfortunately, the Gladiator misses out on the spectacular purple (Reign), available on the 2023 Wrangler.
Also new for 2023 are high-powered wiper blades and an all-new Freedom Package.
We suspect Jeep is waiting for the all-new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine to become available before it gives the Gladiator a proper facelift. We don't know how much power this new powertrain will develop. Still, we have it on good authority that it will get close to or surpass the power output of the famous 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 found in various Stellantis models.
The 2023 Gladiator online configurator has not gone live yet, but Jeep's press release states that the order books for the model are already open.