Reader Question: Jeep Gladiator?

Here’s the latest reader question, along with my reply!

Peter asks: Please can you let me know what you think of the new Jeep Gladiator. My wife really loves it and wants one but I have no experience of Jeeps and so I am not sure if it is a good buy. Thanks!

My reply: The Gladiator – which should be available this spring – is a Wrangler with a five foot bed and so is essentially a crew cab pick-up, similar in layout to models like the mid-sized Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Like them, it is only going to be available in crew cab (four door) configuration, which I personally don’t care for because for me, the result is a too-long truck. It ends up being the same overall package as a 1500 series truck but with much less cargo-carrying capacity. It does, however, have more people-carrying capacity than a regular cab/long bed truck.

So, it depends on what you need.

If you/your wife need a four door, like the Wrangler’s looks/layout – and want the additional cargo-carrying capacity of a small bed, then this could be just the ticket.

There’s no question the Gladiator will offer more in the way off off-road capability than other crew cab pick-up, especially Rubicon versions. Preliminary stats indicate a roughly 8,000 lb. tow capacity, too.

It will be available with the Wrangler’s 3.6 liter V6, with either a manual or automatic transmission and – so the word is for now – a diesel in 2020.

Expect a sticker price in the high $30k-ish range – which (if accurate) is my main objection to this thing. I wish they’d offer a basic, two-door version for around $22k – but I realize those days are over, alas.

Too much government-mandated saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaafety equipment/compliance costs

Too  much easy credit/debt-fueled addiction to gadgets and amenities that most people can’t really afford and so endlessly finance (or lease).

. . .