Since joining the Jeep lineup in 2020, the Gladiator has quickly made a name for itself as one of the hardest-working midsize models on the market. The truck’s best-in-class payload capacity and unbeatable towing capacity are two notable highlights, but they’re not the only features that have made so many drivers consider a Jeep Gladiator for sale when they’re in the market for their next midsize pickup.
As an off-road-ready model that includes some of those quintessentially Jeep features like standard four-wheel drive and a removable roof and doors, there’s no doubting the Gladiator’s credentials when it comes to pure fun—but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Gladiator also knows its way around a worksite, with professional-grade construction and features that allow the pickup to make a strong case for itself as a well-rounded work truck. It might not have the name recognition of some of the segment’s long-running models, but when you start to dig down into the pure numbers and pursue the list of features and options, it’s hard to see why more tradesmen aren’t giving the Gladiator its due. Read on to see why the Gladiator’s features not only make it a valuable addition to the off-road segment but also serve well when you’re on the clock…
Robust Construction
From muddy off-road trails and scorching deserts to sheer rock faces and even the battlefields of Europe, Jeep has certainly proven itself when it comes to sturdy construction that won’t quit when you need it most. The Gladiator might be a relatively new addition to the Jeep family, but it is packed with all the lessons learned over the company’s 80-plus years on the market. Jeep has also become adept at integrating some of the industry’s most successful advancements while avoiding those that don’t meet the brand’s lofty performance standards. Just take the crossover construction approach, for example.
It wasn’t too long ago that a truck was a truck, but those days are over. Crossovers have taken the industry by storm, and while they do offer some advantages in terms of fuel efficiency and comfort, it’s not exactly a great recipe for a reliable work truck. At the end of the day, unibody pickups like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Ford Maverick, and Honda Ridgeline just can’t compete with traditional body-on-frame models like the Jeep Gladiator.
Body-on-frame trucks are both sturdier and more flexible than their crossover cousins, better resisting damage due to the intense twisting forces that can come with heavy-duty use. These attributes obviously come in handy when you’re tackling rough, uneven off-road terrain, but they are also helpful for the bumps and bruises that are part of the job description for any work truck.
The Jeep Gladiator features a high-strength steel frame, control arms, and track bars that, when combined with the heavy-duty rear axle and five-link suspension system, make this pickup an immediate contender in the hotly contested segment. The industrial-strength ethos extends to the Gladiator’s steel cargo bed, which leverages four cross-members to create storage space for all your equipment and materials. Lightweight aluminum components like doors, door hinges, hood, fender flares, windshield frame, and tailgate maximize fuel efficiency, while custom-tuned shocks provide a much smoother ride than one might expect from a 4WD model.
Plenty of Power
Power is never treated as an afterthought with the Jeep brand, and the Gladiator is no different. Every trim comes standard with a powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque; those are some solid numbers for the midsize segment, allowing the Gladiator to surpass even some of its more established rivals in terms of raw power.
This truck’s ample amount of low-end torque is a crucial consideration if you’re looking to use it as a work truck, with the Gladiator providing 260 lb-ft of pulling power; this allows the pickup to post a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,725 lbs, easily surpassing the likes of the Ford Ranger (1,650 lbs), Toyota Tacoma (1,285 lbs) and Honda Ridgeline (1,530 lbs). That sort of payload capacity means contractors can avoid making a second trip to the building supply store or easily complete a quick dump before they close out their work day.
But payload capacity isn’t the only metric that comes in handy when trying to gauge a model’s work potential. Towing capacity is another important consideration and another area where the Jeep Gladiator offers a marked advantage over the rest of the midsize segment. Every Gladiator can tow up to 4,000 lbs, which is 500 lbs more than the Wrangler SUV on which the Gladiator is based; this proves just how seriously Jeep took the assignment when setting out to create the next great work truck, but the famed 4×4 brand hasn’t stopped there.
If 4,000 lbs of towing capacity isn’t enough to get the job done, have no fear: just add the Max Tow package to the mix. This comprehensive overhaul nearly doubles the Gladiator’s towing capacity to a brawny 7,700 lbs—a figure that’s only matched by the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado. Whether you need to tow a fully loaded trailer full of equipment and supplies, help another vehicle out of a tight spot, or gear up for a weekend of powersports fun, the Jeep Gladiator is up to the challenge.
Tough Interior
While the Gladiator’s 5.5-ft cargo bed might be the most apparent work-ready feature that sets this pickup apart from the rest of the Jeep lineup, it’s its interior that really ups its profile as a job site MVP. The interior has all the comfort and convenience features drivers have come to expect from the modern pickup segment, but it’s also packed with a number of clever little touches that allow it to put in some real work.
Designed with the same off-road pedigree that’s made Jeep such a standout in the 4×4 segment, the Gladiator’s interior is built to last with rugged, resilient materials that can take a licking and keep on ticking. These off-road-focused features are well-suited for the working world, allowing the Gladiator to seamlessly transition from a weekend on the trail to a 40-plus-hour work week. Take the waterproof push-button start, for example; originally designed to protect the ignition from the elements when riding roofless, this cunning ignition will ensure a perfect start no matter how wet or grimy your hands might be.
The same can be said of the pickup’s seating and console equipment, which is built to resist wet weather and any damage you might inflict throughout the day. If the Gladiator can withstand a sudden downpour, muddy off-road trails, or the dust and debris that can come with riding through the desert, it should be more than up to dealing with the rigors of the average construction site.
The Gladiator’s generous wheelbase means the backseat can comfortably accommodate adult passengers, which can be a make-or-break factor when transporting your crew. The truck’s 35.5-cu.ft. cargo bed is perfect for hauling supplies and equipment from job to job, with a hinged tailgate that can be selectively locked to provide a little extra room for larger lumber or longer equipment.
If you’re angling for even more cargo room, simply fold down the rear seats and max out the cabin to its full 57 cu.ft. The seats can be tucked away in a few convenient ways and even feature a locking mechanism that’ll keep them secure when the going gets rough. A hidden compartment under the back seat is the perfect place to store some of your more valuable tools or any other precious cargo that you don’t want to leave exposed to prying eyes.
The Golden Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator might have been conceived with off-road dominance in mind, but many of the qualities that make the pickup such a popular choice for the 4×4 set have also allowed it to carve out a new niche as a work truck. The Gladiator’s body-on-frame construction—complete with a high-strength steel frame and reinforced cargo bed—should give drivers all the confidence they need to tackle their next job, but it’s what’s under the hood that really marks the Gladiator for greatness.
Boasting best-in-class payload capacity and an unsurpassed max tow rating, the Gladiator is truly upping the bar in the midsize pickup segment. Full-size pickups might be hard to beat when it comes to maximizing power, room, and cargo capacity, but models like the Jeep Gladiator are here to prove that midsize models aren’t far behind. If you’re in the market for a reliable work truck that can provide its fair share of thrills once the work week is over, the Jeep Gladiator is worth a test drive.
