Page 54 - Motor Trend (January 2020)

TOTY

Finalists

PRO Stand-out design • Good packaging • Off-road chops CON Inconsistent steering • Lumpy ride • Loud interior

Jeep Gladiator “Both trucks are very susceptible

to crosswinds,” Evans said. “The
steering has to be constantly
monitored and managed, like the
old-school live-front-axle it is.”
Judges preferred the eight-
speed automatic over the
manual in almost every case.
The six-speed’s gear ratios are
so spread out that it was hard to
find the right gear in some cases.
When towing up Davis Dam,
Ayapana had to stay in second
gear until he hit redline, then
when he shifted to third, the truck
struggled to keep gaining speed.
Towing the same weight as the
Ford Ranger—its closest counter-
part in this year’s competition—
the Jeep seemed more strained.
Even unladen, it was hard to
choose a gear to stay in. “All the
gears are too long; first gear
here’s hardly another truck But although we liked it overall, only truck that made it through goes through 31 mph, second
on the market that looks as its ride and handling could be most of our off-road course gear through 60 mph, and third
Tcool, fun, and approachable improved. in two-wheel drive, showing gear through around 100 mph,”
as the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. After Every judge gave the Glad- impressive articulation and Seabaugh said. “For a truck
decades of absence, a factory- iator high marks for its unique traction. Whether it was going that’s supposed to work or
built Jeep-badged truck is back. design. With a wide body and through the moguls, up a set of off-road, that’s frankly insane.”
The Gladiator doesn’t just stand an upright design, this Jeep’s stairs, or on a rocky hill climb, the Even when you take its stan-
out for its design, though. The proportions make it handsome Rubicon didn’t stop short. Talk dard V-6 engine, four-wheel-
truck has great off-road capa- from every angle. “Nothing else about performance of intended drive traction, and extended
bilities, and even the Sport (base) is like the Gladiator, and in a function—the Jeep Gladiator cabin into consideration, the
model comes with decent equip- crowded market where brand hits the mark. Gladiator’s $35,040 starting
ment and a four-door cabin. allegiances ain’t what they used But those off-road chops price is nonetheless quite high
to be, standing out is a big plus,” hurt its ride and handling on for the segment. Our Gladiator
Lieberman said. pavement. The bouncy ride and Rubicon’s price tag approached
Part of that uniqueness is on soft, inconsistent steering had that of our Ram 1500 Rebel
its top; the Gladiator is the only the Gladiator moving left and EcoDiesel, which resides in a
convertible truck you can get right on the highway. Whether segment above the midsize
today, whether you opt for the it was the Sport model with the Jeep pickup.
soft top or the hard top. six-speed manual and the soft The 2020 Jeep Gladiator has
Having a Jeep means you’re top or the Rubicon with the eight- everything it needs to prop-
getting excellent off-road speed automatic and the hard erly represent the brand. Its
capabilities. Despite its long top, both trucks were noisy and a design, off-road capabilities,
wheelbase, the Rubicon was the bit uncomfortable for long rides. and uniqueness are what draw
so much attention to it, but its
SPECS 2020 Gladiator Sport Rubicon choppy ride, loud cabin, and
Base Price/As Tested $35,040/$46,185 $45,040/$59,685 inconsistent steering make us
wonder if customers are giving
Power (SAE net) 285 hp @ 6,400 rpm 285 hp @ 6,400 rpm
up too much to be seen in a cool
Torque (SAE net) 260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm 260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm truck. Miguel Cortina
Accel, 0-60 mph 7.9 sec 8.3 sec
Accel, 0-60 mph (loaded) 9.3 sec* Not tested
Accel, 0-60 mph (towing) 15.9 sec** 15.6 sec**
Quarter Mile 16.3 sec @ 84.1 mph 16.3 sec @ 85.0 mph
Quarter Mile (loaded) 17.3 sec @ 77.4 mph* Not tested
Quarter Mile (towing) 20.6 sec @ 65.0 mph** 20.2 sec @ 68.1 mph**
Braking, 60-0 mph 129 ft 132 ft
Braking, 60-0 mph (loaded) 140 ft* Not tested
Double Lane Change Time 3.5 sec 3.5 sec
Davis Dam Frustration 12.9 sec @ 883 ft*** 14.3 sec @ 958 ft***
Cruise Control 65-mph Overrun 1.8 mph 2.2 mph
Sport
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 16/23/19 mpg 17/22/19 mpg
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck Engine/Transmission Sport 3.6L DOHC 24-valve V-6/6-speed manual Rubicon 3.6L DOHC
24-valve V-6/8-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) Sport 4,699 lb (52/48%) Rubicon 5,134 lb (53/47%) Wheelbase 137.3 in Length x Width x Height
218.0 x 73.8 x 74.1 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy Sport 211/147 kW-hr/100 miles Rubicon 198/153 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions, Comb Sport
1.05 lb/mile Rubicon 1.02 lb/mile
*1,000-lb payload | **4,000-lb trailer | ***35-55-mph uphill acceleration with 3,160-lb trailer
54 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020