2021 Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Wrangler has poor fuel economy, wind noise, an uncomfortable interior, and reliability scores near the bottom of Consumer Reports’ rankings. Despite those results, the Wrangler has been popular for decades. Next to endless options of aerodynamic compact SUVs, its boxy, military-inspired design makes it timeless and charming. It’s also especially capable off-road, and is available as a pickup truck. The Wrangler’s rugged appeal benefits the rest of Jeep’s lineup of small, medium, and large SUVs. The Cherokee and Wagoneer, despite their name’s historical appeal, usually score low on Consumer Reports’ customer satisfaction surveys. However, shoppers drawn to the Jeep name who are comfortable with sacrificing handling and fuel economy for three-row capacity can consider the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Low reliability scores across the brand make it difficult to recommend buying a used Jeep.

The Gladiator transforms the iconic Wrangler into a pickup truck, using a longer wheelbase and adding a 5-foot bed. The only engine is a 3.6-liter V6 mated to either a smooth eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. With the automatic, the Gladiator packs some oomph and returns 18 mpg overall. Unlike other compact pickup trucks, it uses coil springs in the rear suspension, which makes the ride relatively civilized. Handling, however, is rather clumsy. Like the Wrangler, the truck comes with a soft top or an optional removable hardtop. Either way, wind noise on the highway is loud. The off-road-focused Rubicon has suspension and tires that are optimized for rock climbing. The damped tailgate is a nice touch. Several advanced safety features are available, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning. For 2021, the Gladiator got an optional 260-hp, 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that promised better fuel economy. Other updates include an 80th Anniversary Edition, which features unique interior and exterior trim, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and 18-inch wheels. Full-time four-wheel drive also became available on all trim lines. The diesel engine was dropped for 2024. For 2025, a manual transmission was no longer offered, and power windows and door locks became standard on all trims.