Really diggin' the new intro and tunes! You guys are moving on up and we are so darn proud! Keep up the good work Ryan and crew and can't wait to see what's next from Driving Sports TV!
I guess folks are just really soft and too used to cruising Escalades, which my GF daily drives. So I have a basis for comparison. Just picked up an Ecodiesel Sport Gladiator and it’s a total pleasure to drive on the highway or otherwise. The diesel is as quiet or quieter than any other oil burner out there. The wind noise was way less than I anticipated and the ride is better than my 2020 Ford F-250 Tremor.
Well balanced review. I guess a lot of the negative attributes for the Jeep are dependent on the owners previous vehicle. I cam from a full size, lifted F150, and the Jeep feels like a car to me.
There are far more use cases for the Jeep Gladiator than you suggest. Put the all seasons on it and it is quieter and more comfortable on road yet still capable enough aff road for most folks adventures. Also go down a couple trim levels and you can still get most options and stay under $50k. Additionally there are nearly no other choices for the open feel you can get with a Wrangler or Gladiator. And what is highly overlooked is that all this capability comes with exceptional fuel economy with the ESS left on. In other words, with a few tweaks from the Jeep set up you tested, theres a Glsdiator that is competitive, even unmached in a versatile daily driver.
@@yasmincunha8664 this doesn’t have anything to do with credit scores, this truck is too damn expensive for what it is, and btw to get 3% apr you must have good credit
@@jez7433 that was a lot of shit to justify paying 70k for a cool looking toy but badly build, first of all you don't need to buy a TRD Pro, the TRD off road it's a better and less expensive choice to start building, even adding every accessory it will be at least 20k cheaper, and it will have something the Jeep will never have, RELIABILITY! you don't see Rubicons in the Sahara or the tropical jungle do you? Because it wouldn't last a week, so yea, like Flossy Carter says: the price is too god damn high!
I really hope they don’t force the 392 into the Jeep Mojave for a model they already don’t sell as much of and make the price close to 80k. The Mojave should have the 5.7 Hemi which would give a good HP/TRQ bump without going crazy.
I really don't understand the fascination with the 5.7. I mean it's a fine engine but everybody who buys one thinks it's fast, and unless you put it in a light vehicle or slap a gigantic supercharger on it, that's just not the case. A guy at work just bought a new V8 charger and I walked him in my Ford Fiesta. He couldn't believe it so I walked him again, while getting twice the fuel economy. You put that engine inside of a gladiator and I'll bet you're lucky to see 15 MPG. Most people don't even know what the hell Hemi means, and why it's not significant anymore.
@@deejayimm would you rather have the 3.6 Pentastar? Also I doubt you walked a Charger unless your Fiesta is an ST with some fairly substantial tuning.
@@ALMX5DP just running a 93 octane tune on stock turbo. "Substantial" fiestas are stupid quick.. I run with my friend in his FBO 15 mustang gt almost every day and I beat him to 70 every time, stay glued to his ass up to 120. I got my car for driving fun, and I dont like to race people, but every once in awhile I give in to the desires of others with their V8 superiority complex. It is funny how often slow cars are despite all of that engine. I don't know much about the pentastar other than people say it's pretty reliable, I'm just saying I don't understand all the hemi hype other than just people getting to say hemi.
Love your videos. I will say there’s one thing that I disagree with - I don’t think that buying a Jeep that you don’t plan on taking off road is a big mistake. There’s a lot of Jeep enthusiasts like me that use their Jeeps as daily drivers and we embrace everything that comes with it. We love our Jeeps and don’t care about something with better mpg or tighter steering. Also from my experience, probably about only 5-10% of jeep owners actually off road. I can’t wait to take mine off road, just don’t have a lot of ways to legally do it around me lol. Just my two cents, thanks for the great content!
I own one fully optioned out and I love it.. High price tag but i can tell you its tough to stop this truck. It goes anywhere. I had the wrangler. With the exception of the turning this truck its so much better.. Dont get rapped up in payload its enough.. If you’re buying a big trailer you should have a full size anyway.. I pull a. 2200lb trailer no problem off road. This truck checked every box for me and it will for you too.
As an european, that's not into trucks at all, this Jeep Gladiator is by far my favorite of them all! I want it even though I wouldn't make a great use of it lol. btw 8.88 seconds from 0 to 60 is okay for a truck isn't it? I mean, it's just normal speed for a normal car, which is more than enough for a truck. We might not have the same speed standards here in europe maybe. Awesome reviews, I often watch the channel, and as of now, you're the best one for analysing the cars you try, and separating each category. Too many channels are just mixing everything, and analysing subjectivly without much analysis. Thanks for that :)
The motor was originally built to be going into a Cadillac when GM owned 50% of VM Motori. Honestly, it’s super quiet on the road or the freeway as I own. It’s a refined work of an art and incredible that it’s a Jeep.
Would love to see a more base model for comparison. Also the cherokee trail hawk given that its in direct competition with the new bronco sport and outback wilderness
I hate Jeeps, but they look so good! Had a JK that was fun (when it didn't leak, abs sensors, seals, etc. all in the first year). Jeep sells a dream, but they are the best at it.
We have a 4 door jeep Wrangler. We don't off road much so the answer for me is we don't need the Rubicon. I have driven it several times from northern Colorado to Durango and been very comfortable
You must not really like Jeeps. You keep saying Jeeps are not fun on road, and on this video you warn us a hundred times “Jeeps make sense ONLY if you plan to spend a lot of time off-road; if not it is a bad decision.” I don’t agree. I owned a 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road: the truck was handsome, well built and capable off-road, but there was NOTHING fun about it. The automatic transmission was simply atrocious; I could stand on the gas and it would refuse to do anything. And that engine sounded like a blender. I sold it after not six months and got a Jeep Wrangler Sahara. I’ve owned the Jeep 2 years now; it’s been totally trouble-free, it is amazing off-road, and it puts a smile on my face every time I get in it....on or off-road.
Given the thoroughness of your testing of various off road modes of other vehicles, a bit surprised you didn’t demonstrate how the lockers and disconnecting sway bars work is varying situations.
That’s why this video had to be re-released. There was a problem with our testing methodology in the original cut. That section of the video was flawed so we cut it out and re-released a simplified version. We’ll do it better with the next jeep we get.
@@drivingsports cool, glad u r keeping the methodology authentic. I was wondering why I got kicked out of the first video when I started watching it this morning then picked it back up later today and it vanished! Keep up the good work, love watching the various hill climbs!
I can't believe how high the steering wheel sits on these . On my 4Runner, Expedition, everything else I have driven the wheel sits just above my leg. This looks like it is 6 inches above your lap.
Yea but this is the opposite of the Tacoma where the steering wheel is touching yr lap while getting in. Pretty controversial between the two cuz I'm 5.10
Any gas car will struggle going on that road. You wouldn't even think about it going on this kind of road. If it is a road.😂 But this beast makes it look so easy. All you have to worry is the noise that you are saying and the cost of those tire when needed a replacement.😊 thanks for this review.
I would suggest you to take an offroad class,it would help you in your ability/agility and confidence. In any vehicule you want to take offroad. Those little tricks will help. I have in the past taken classes from Land Rover and Jeep so I could maximize the use of my vehicules.. That gladiator can do so much more then what you saw as woah!!! Little rocks like you saw are nothing for it..
I just traded my 2021 Nissan Titan for the 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. The Jeep is way easier to drive in town because it is more narrow and smaller turn radius. It does wander on the highway but not uncomfortably so. Parking has been easier than my Titan and my gas mileage has improved. I would get 18mpg in town and 22 highway with the Titan I now get 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. On some of my back road driving I would sometimes get 30 mpg. I will rarely use it off road I bought it because I just like it. For me function follows form.
Here in Australia All Terrains wear much more slowly. They have a tread wear often double or more that of highway terrain tyres. So that’s interesting. My last set of HTs had a treadwear rating of 280 and my new ATs are rated at 600 for example, so I expect them to last more than twice as long.
Agree. I have all terrains on my 4Runner that have a 60,000 mile treadwear warranty. Also, I don't think there are all terrains on that Jeep, pretty sure it's running the Falken MT mud terrains.
Were I going for a mostly highway but "seriously-capable weekend off-road/overlanding" vehicle and the choices were a Jeep Gladiator or Wrangler, I'd go for the Gladiator because I'd need better towing-capacity than the Wrangler has (3500lbs isn't quite enough)...so living with a Gladiator's "less than great" highway manners would be a trade-off I'd have to accept. There's also the better-on-the-highway Chevy Colorado ZR2 (yet can do MOST of what a Jeep can do off-road)...but NOW they are almost non-existent on dealers' lots (here in CO) as new ones -- even IF listed on dealers' website (some dealers show NO Colorados at all, ZR2 or otherwise) are marked "In Transit" -- but in reality have been "detained" at the GM factory in Wentzville, MO, for a couple of months now ("computer-chip shortage"). Info on their release is "unavailable" (GM says) so they aren't even keeping dealers informed, let alone waiting customers as to WHEN all those Colorados/ZR2s will finally be put on trains and sent to dealers/customers. The one "on hold" for me is just ONE of the 20,000 Colorados (maybe 2000 of them are ZR2s) parked there in a huge storage lot there at the factory...if it doesn't arrive soon I'll have to bail on the ZR2 and go Gladiator. Time will tell which it'll be, but I've been waiting for "my" ZR2 since late February...can't see me continue being so "understanding" (and patient!) much longer. And the dealerships would like their ordered/awaited vehicles as it's causing them plenty of grief, too! I just happened to be ready (2 years ago I had planned to buy March of 2021!) for a new vehicle at a very BAD time: First GM factory closures due to the ongoing Virus-Crisis, then MORE factory closures recently due to a semi-conductor chip-shortage at GM. So a whole lot of "already built but missing their chips" Colorados remain parked in Wentzville, with no ETAs available. I just can't win! ;-) The ZR2 fits my needs better than a Jeep -- but of course each has it's Pros & Cons (trade-offs) -- but if I can't GET a ZR2 (in my lifetime!) then the "better fit" of the ZR2 doesn't matter, does it. IMO, a Gladiator is a very "tolerable" Plan B -- it's just going to cost me WAY more than the ZR2. But that's tolerable, too. Given that, however, when it comes time to sell or do a trade-in, I should see more of my money back on it given Jeeps hold their value better over time than most other brands...not sure how much vales the ZR2 would command in 3-4 years. ;-) Again, there are always trade-offs no matter what brand/models we're taking about... Happy Trails, -- BR
Mine is no street princess... I got a Gladiator for the sole purpose of being able to when I want to go off-road... Curbs, muddy event fields, washed out drought ridden creeks, etc... I just can. Better than in my older wranglers, grand Cherokees, H3, Tacoma's and 4runners... Just my choice. You make your own, but please stop doing these reviews and poo-poo-ing that it's not like like driving a damn Cadillac SUV with every option available... It's a Jeep and we love it that way ... This why Jeep still makes them this way
We had test drove a Wrangler. It’s an odd feeling driver experience-the dash is far and flat, the windshield is close and flat and it’s as you would imaging very square. It’s very odd not bad or good just very different.
To be fair, the Cherokee Trailhawk is a crossover and does have hill decent control that you can put into the 0.1-5mph range, also has the crawl control and locking rear diff as well :)
that's still a jeep tho. offroading is what jeeps are really all about and if you buy a Cherokee trailhawk, one could assume you enjoy being in the forest roads where you need something like locking diffs or slow crawl control options
Ryan, for someone who tests a lot of vehicles off road, I find it conspicuous that I can’t find a single jeep wrangler video on your channel? Surely you would recognize that in literally any off road course a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the standard by which all others would be evaluated…
Here in Canada it's not an option for cruise control. It's standard across the intire board in Canada all newer vehicles in Canada have cruise control its not an option anymore
Why does it matter if they move the window switches to the dash? Like your going to be able to put the windows down if you take the doors off anyways? Plus the front doors should still have wires going to them anyways that you would have to disconnect anyways before removing the door that run to the speakers, powerlocks, mirrors, and power widow motor.
Depends on what you want like you said🤷🏻♂️ I have a Sport S. I have the 7inch touch screen wish it was the 8.4 but not the end of the world. Thts really the only tech Id want. All the driver assist stuff nah forget it. I put 33 inch all terains like the Rubicon and Rubicon Fox shocks on it. Drives like a Jeep as youd expect. Im happy with it. The Rubicon suspension is fairly stiff to my feel so when I lift it im gonna change tht
My "bare bines (according to some people) Gladiator Rubicon had the 8.4" screen, Alpine radio, "Off-Road Pages" and GPS Navigation. I didn't want that "nanny" driving monitor stuff, either, so I wasn't going to pay for it. I'm still pleased with my "lacking some options" Gladiator Rubicon anyway. ;-) And as for "mods" -- such as adding lift and larger tires -- not AT ALL interested so I won't. Will keep it pretty much stock (except for a tonneau/bed-cover). I don't mind the "stiffer" suspension...after all, it's STILL a truck! And although I was expecting loose/sloppy/wandering" steering on the highway Gladiators are supposed to have (according to MANY CZcams videos), was surprised on how NOT sloppy the steering is -- have no "wandering" issue. Very nice. Happy Trails, -- BR
I think you missed the one aspect that truly separates this mid-sized truck from any other; it’s open cabin experience. How do talk about this and not highlight this? The top comes off, the doors come off and that is part of the appeal. If that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay but how do you gloss over or not really address it? Sure you did this review in inclement weather, but that’s also part of why there is more noise compared to literally any other vehicle that doesn’t offer this feature.
Mud terrains not all terrains on that one......a lot more noise. You can't hear AT's in a Jeep, the wind noise is too loud. That isn't a hill descent button, it's Selec-speed control, like crawl control in Toyota or trail control in Ford
Haha. “They don’t put the window controls on the door because the doors can be completely removed.” What windows are you rolling down when the doors are off…?
What I really want is a Grand Cherokee DIESEL, but they're trying to push their 4xe in your face now, so no more Diesel. Guess I'll be getting the Gladiator ECODIESEL.
The Grand Cherokee did offer a Diesel, but that was only available for only a few years until they dropped the Diesel out of the GC lineup in 2019. Nobody brought them. However, my friends neighbor has a 2017 GC Summit Diesel that still runs perfectly at 70k miles which is not usually common for a non Toyota vehicle...
@Driving Sports TV Do you guys have any idea if the spare tire space under the gladiator rubicon is the same size/location on both the Gas and Diesel versions ? Picking up a diesel and the spare size/location on the gas version has been talked about, but I haven't seen anything on the diesel. Thanks !
I would've love to get this Jeep but I already can't handle my Tacoma 4x4 Trd Sport and I've suffer from a back injury so I'm looking at getting a mazda CX5 just for the comfort or a lexus. Or the Cadillac cx4 blackwing. I can't do the off road any more. Without paying for it, bigtime but I have to admit This Gladiator hit all my boxes except for the stupid back issue, I just can't do it anymore. Ticks me off.
I really want to buy a Wrangler Rubicon with the diesel. Reliability is a biggest factor keeping me buying a Jeep. Truck wont work for me as I need to have our stuff secure and dry. I hope there are after market suspension to make the highway ride more comfortable for a long road trip? Yes I absolutely love my 4Runner with so much better suspension but love to have a capable vehicle like a Wrangler Rubicon. I have a feeling those diesels might be reliable.
Why do all of these silly reviews not mention that most of the fancy trinket sensors and junk are of no matter when you have the doors off?!? That is the bigger part of why you get a Jeep
BTW...It is Stellantis now. FCA is history. That is one very expensive truck. My Tundra TRD OFF.ROAD was $51 000 CAD which is about $30 grand cheaper than this Galadiator. Nice truck but very pricey. What kind of tires does this truck come with...KO2s?
They really messed up with the window switches. Why would I want switches for windows that are sitting in the garage taking up room in the center of the Jeep, if the switches were on the doors, they’d stay on the doors with the windows they operate when you take them off. That’s my biggest gripe with the Jeep. My only other one is the manual is an afterthought. Needs to be beefier
I currently have a 2021 JTRD and disagree with mostly all that this reviewer states. The JTRD is the best all round platform Jeep has ever released. I have had multiple Jeeps over the year from CJ5 to this JTRD. This vehicle is by far the best. You don’t have to be an off-roader to appreciate the overall appeal of the Gladiator. The trail you traversed was laughable. The capability of this vehicle is unmatched by any other manufacturer plus you can remove the doors and roof plus tow various trailers. Name one other vehicle that can match it. Stating that purchasing this vehicle is a mistake unless your an off roader is utterly ridiculous. No question the Gladiator is a niche / life style vehicle but to dis courage prospective customers to avoid because it doesn’t handle or ride like say an IFS SUV is contrary to providing so called “expert “ information.
All you need to be able to "afford" is the payments...I didn't have $54K (MSRP) cash for my Gladiator Rubicon (even though paid less of course!) in my pocket, either. But I can handle the payments as I got a very tolerable interest rate (yes, having the best credit-score you can DOES make a difference). Plus, I can always add some $$$ each month (put to reducing the principal) and pay it off early. Or just let the loan go its full term since the interest rate (from a BANK of all places -- even beat my 3 credit unions) isn't bad -- so it doesn't matter which I do. :-) It's amazing what we really CAN "afford." Life is short -- get what you want. -- BR
I know, I never get the reasoning behind that when people say that's the reason for the window switches being in the dash. On the other hand perhaps if you take the front door is off, and not the rear, you can still operate the rear windows from the dash. I see a lot of four-door Jeeps where people only take the front doors off. Also, perhaps that keeps a lot of the wiring out of the doors, making them easier to remove.
Must have necessitated an edit. I could have sworn though this video was posted back in January, but could be mixing up with the other comparison video Ryan did with the 4Runner.
The EcoDiesel is fine, but Chrysler should get rid of it and replace it with a HO Version of the new Cummins R2.8, and it should make 200hp, 450 lb ft tq
I like other reviewers better. You seem “afraid” of things that people who buy these vehicles like to do. Not trying to be rude, but I believe sticking to on-road reviews in a subaru or a toyota passenger car is your best bet. Thanks tho!
Really diggin' the new intro and tunes! You guys are moving on up and we are so darn proud! Keep up the good work Ryan and crew and can't wait to see what's next from Driving Sports TV!
first gen XV crosstrek : HEY THOSE ARE MY WHEELS
Indeed
Omg I never realized it!! There very similar
You ain’t lying!
Which also look similar to the ones on the 2012-2018 JK Rubicon. So who wore them first? 😄
@@trailrunnah8886 I might be looking at the wrong trim they didn’t seem that similar.
It's crazy how off-road capable jeeps are from the factory
I guess folks are just really soft and too used to cruising Escalades, which my GF daily drives. So I have a basis for comparison. Just picked up an Ecodiesel Sport Gladiator and it’s a total pleasure to drive on the highway or otherwise. The diesel is as quiet or quieter than any other oil burner out there. The wind noise was way less than I anticipated and the ride is better than my 2020 Ford F-250 Tremor.
Well balanced review. I guess a lot of the negative attributes for the Jeep are dependent on the owners previous vehicle. I cam from a full size, lifted F150, and the Jeep feels like a car to me.
And ur f150 feels like a car compared to a Super Duty
At last. the diesel gladiator! Can it get any better? This thing Is awesome.
Just traded my gladiator and ordered the Diesel! Such a nice upgrade
Seems pretty silly doing a 0-60 test. Kinda like taking a Porsche 911 offroading to see how well it can rock climb
There are far more use cases for the Jeep Gladiator than you suggest. Put the all seasons on it and it is quieter and more comfortable on road yet still capable enough aff road for most folks adventures. Also go down a couple trim levels and you can still get most options and stay under $50k. Additionally there are nearly no other choices for the open feel you can get with a Wrangler or Gladiator. And what is highly overlooked is that all this capability comes with exceptional fuel economy with the ESS left on. In other words, with a few tweaks from the Jeep set up you tested, theres a Glsdiator that is competitive, even unmached in a versatile daily driver.
LOVE your videos. They are detailed and informational, yet funny when needed! Can't wait to see you review the Jeep Rubicon 4xE!
Over $67,000... that’s over a grand a month, at 3% APR for SIX YEARS.
Definitely not worth it!!
Yikes. If one has to finance for 6 years, they definitely can't afford it.
@@yasmincunha8664 this doesn’t have anything to do with credit scores, this truck is too damn expensive for what it is, and btw to get 3% apr you must have good credit
if you get all the bells and whistle‘s Rubicon diesel 51,000 base
@@jez7433 that was a lot of shit to justify paying 70k for a cool looking toy but badly build, first of all you don't need to buy a TRD Pro, the TRD off road it's a better and less expensive choice to start building, even adding every accessory it will be at least 20k cheaper, and it will have something the Jeep will never have, RELIABILITY! you don't see Rubicons in the Sahara or the tropical jungle do you? Because it wouldn't last a week, so yea, like Flossy Carter says: the price is too god damn high!
This is the engine the Gladiator deserves at a minimum. That or a 5.7 Hemi.
I really hope they don’t force the 392 into the Jeep Mojave for a model they already don’t sell as much of and make the price close to 80k.
The Mojave should have the 5.7 Hemi which would give a good HP/TRQ bump without going crazy.
5.7 would be sweet with a 6-speed manual.
I really don't understand the fascination with the 5.7.
I mean it's a fine engine but everybody who buys one thinks it's fast, and unless you put it in a light vehicle or slap a gigantic supercharger on it, that's just not the case.
A guy at work just bought a new V8 charger and I walked him in my Ford Fiesta. He couldn't believe it so I walked him again, while getting twice the fuel economy.
You put that engine inside of a gladiator and I'll bet you're lucky to see 15 MPG.
Most people don't even know what the hell Hemi means, and why it's not significant anymore.
@@deejayimm would you rather have the 3.6 Pentastar? Also I doubt you walked a Charger unless your Fiesta is an ST with some fairly substantial tuning.
@@ALMX5DP just running a 93 octane tune on stock turbo. "Substantial" fiestas are stupid quick.. I run with my friend in his FBO 15 mustang gt almost every day and I beat him to 70 every time, stay glued to his ass up to 120. I got my car for driving fun, and I dont like to race people, but every once in awhile I give in to the desires of others with their V8 superiority complex. It is funny how often slow cars are despite all of that engine. I don't know much about the pentastar other than people say it's pretty reliable, I'm just saying I don't understand all the hemi hype other than just people getting to say hemi.
I had a RAM, which I missed. Then I had a Wrangler, and again I enjoyed that. Bought the 2021 Gladiator EcoDiesel. Now I'm elated.
Love your videos. I will say there’s one thing that I disagree with - I don’t think that buying a Jeep that you don’t plan on taking off road is a big mistake. There’s a lot of Jeep enthusiasts like me that use their Jeeps as daily drivers and we embrace everything that comes with it. We love our Jeeps and don’t care about something with better mpg or tighter steering.
Also from my experience, probably about only 5-10% of jeep owners actually off road. I can’t wait to take mine off road, just don’t have a lot of ways to legally do it around me lol. Just my two cents, thanks for the great content!
Nice truck but for almost $70k???
I own one fully optioned out and I love it.. High price tag but i can tell you its tough to stop this truck. It goes anywhere. I had the wrangler. With the exception of the turning this truck its so much better.. Dont get rapped up in payload its enough.. If you’re buying a big trailer you should have a full size anyway.. I pull a. 2200lb trailer no problem off road. This truck checked every box for me and it will for you too.
Going in tomorrow to order my NEW GLADIATOR and this video helped my say yes to everything thank you thank you thank you 😊
As an european, that's not into trucks at all, this Jeep Gladiator is by far my favorite of them all! I want it even though I wouldn't make a great use of it lol.
btw 8.88 seconds from 0 to 60 is okay for a truck isn't it? I mean, it's just normal speed for a normal car, which is more than enough for a truck. We might not have the same speed standards here in europe maybe.
Awesome reviews, I often watch the channel, and as of now, you're the best one for analysing the cars you try, and separating each category. Too many channels are just mixing everything, and analysing subjectivly without much analysis. Thanks for that :)
How doesn’t this channel have more followers? I love this content very informative..
Working on it! Lol. Thanks for watching.
The motor was originally built to be going into a Cadillac when GM owned 50% of VM Motori. Honestly, it’s super quiet on the road or the freeway as I own. It’s a refined work of an art and incredible that it’s a Jeep.
This is How you turn a legendary war machine into a splendid sport and utility truck
both gladiator and Colorado bison duramax diesel are fantastic cars.
Would love to see a more base model for comparison. Also the cherokee trail hawk given that its in direct competition with the new bronco sport and outback wilderness
I hate Jeeps, but they look so good! Had a JK that was fun (when it didn't leak, abs sensors, seals, etc. all in the first year). Jeep sells a dream, but they are the best at it.
We have a 4 door jeep Wrangler. We don't off road much so the answer for me is we don't need the Rubicon. I have driven it several times from northern Colorado to Durango and been very comfortable
Liking the Toyota jacket during the Jeep review! Maybe you’ll get branded jackets from the manufacturers from now on ;)
That's because he owns a 4 Runner 😏😏
I was waiting for this one. Thanks!
why cant i find any wrangler videos on your channel? I'd love to see a review of the JL
I legit got an ad from Ford saying "Choosing the Jeep Gladiator? Well let's look at the Ford Ranger"
You must not really like Jeeps. You keep saying Jeeps are not fun on road, and on this video you warn us a hundred times “Jeeps make sense ONLY if you plan to spend a lot of time off-road; if not it is a bad decision.” I don’t agree. I owned a 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road: the truck was handsome, well built and capable off-road, but there was NOTHING fun about it. The automatic transmission was simply atrocious; I could stand on the gas and it would refuse to do anything. And that engine sounded like a blender. I sold it after not six months and got a Jeep Wrangler Sahara. I’ve owned the Jeep 2 years now; it’s been totally trouble-free, it is amazing off-road, and it puts a smile on my face every time I get in it....on or off-road.
Given the thoroughness of your testing of various off road modes of other vehicles, a bit surprised you didn’t demonstrate how the lockers and disconnecting sway bars work is varying situations.
That’s why this video had to be re-released. There was a problem with our testing methodology in the original cut. That section of the video was flawed so we cut it out and re-released a simplified version. We’ll do it better with the next jeep we get.
@@drivingsports cool, glad u r keeping the methodology authentic. I was wondering why I got kicked out of the first video when I started watching it this morning then picked it back up later today and it vanished! Keep up the good work, love watching the various hill climbs!
I loved this episode,thanku 🚘.
Amazing jeep did a great job!!!
I can't believe how high the steering wheel sits on these . On my 4Runner, Expedition, everything else I have driven the wheel sits just above my leg. This looks like it is 6 inches above your lap.
Yea but this is the opposite of the Tacoma where the steering wheel is touching yr lap while getting in. Pretty controversial between the two cuz I'm 5.10
I’m 6’2” and I hit my legs on the Toyota every time. That’s one thing I like about the Jeep.
Any gas car will struggle going on that road. You wouldn't even think about it going on this kind of road. If it is a road.😂 But this beast makes it look so easy. All you have to worry is the noise that you are saying and the cost of those tire when needed a replacement.😊 thanks for this review.
"a little hard to park this thing".... welcome to jeep
I would suggest you to take an offroad class,it would help you in your ability/agility and confidence.
In any vehicule you want to take offroad.
Those little tricks will help.
I have in the past taken classes from Land Rover and Jeep so I could maximize the use of my vehicules..
That gladiator can do so much more then what you saw as woah!!! Little rocks like you saw are nothing for it..
For someone that shift nap is huge.
I just traded my 2021 Nissan Titan for the 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. The Jeep is way easier to drive in town because it is more narrow and smaller turn radius. It does wander on the highway but not uncomfortably so. Parking has been easier than my Titan and my gas mileage has improved. I would get 18mpg in town and 22 highway with the Titan I now get 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. On some of my back road driving I would sometimes get 30 mpg. I will rarely use it off road I bought it because I just like it. For me function follows form.
Saw the upload of the 2020 renegade, would like to see your review of the Cherokee 👍
15:16 everything is really exposed. They didn't put any skid plates on this thing?
Here in Australia All Terrains wear much more slowly. They have a tread wear often double or more that of highway terrain tyres. So that’s interesting. My last set of HTs had a treadwear rating of 280 and my new ATs are rated at 600 for example, so I expect them to last more than twice as long.
Agree. I have all terrains on my 4Runner that have a 60,000 mile treadwear warranty. Also, I don't think there are all terrains on that Jeep, pretty sure it's running the Falken MT mud terrains.
@@trailrunnah8886 yeah MTs are noisy and don’t wear very well on the blacktop.
LOL @ the surprise ending!
Were I going for a mostly highway but "seriously-capable weekend off-road/overlanding" vehicle and the choices were a Jeep Gladiator or Wrangler, I'd go for the Gladiator because I'd need better towing-capacity than the Wrangler has (3500lbs isn't quite enough)...so living with a Gladiator's "less than great" highway manners would be a trade-off I'd have to accept.
There's also the better-on-the-highway Chevy Colorado ZR2 (yet can do MOST of what a Jeep can do off-road)...but NOW they are almost non-existent on dealers' lots (here in CO) as new ones -- even IF listed on dealers' website (some dealers show NO Colorados at all, ZR2 or otherwise) are marked "In Transit" -- but in reality have been "detained" at the GM factory in Wentzville, MO, for a couple of months now ("computer-chip shortage"). Info on their release is "unavailable" (GM says) so they aren't even keeping dealers informed, let alone waiting customers as to WHEN all those Colorados/ZR2s will finally be put on trains and sent to dealers/customers. The one "on hold" for me is just ONE of the 20,000 Colorados (maybe 2000 of them are ZR2s) parked there in a huge storage lot there at the factory...if it doesn't arrive soon I'll have to bail on the ZR2 and go Gladiator.
Time will tell which it'll be, but I've been waiting for "my" ZR2 since late February...can't see me continue being so "understanding" (and patient!) much longer. And the dealerships would like their ordered/awaited vehicles as it's causing them plenty of grief, too!
I just happened to be ready (2 years ago I had planned to buy March of 2021!) for a new vehicle at a very BAD time: First GM factory closures due to the ongoing Virus-Crisis, then MORE factory closures recently due to a semi-conductor chip-shortage at GM. So a whole lot of "already built but missing their chips" Colorados remain parked in Wentzville, with no ETAs available.
I just can't win! ;-)
The ZR2 fits my needs better than a Jeep -- but of course each has it's Pros & Cons (trade-offs) -- but if I can't GET a ZR2 (in my lifetime!) then the "better fit" of the ZR2 doesn't matter, does it. IMO, a Gladiator is a very "tolerable" Plan B -- it's just going to cost me WAY more than the ZR2. But that's tolerable, too.
Given that, however, when it comes time to sell or do a trade-in, I should see more of my money back on it given Jeeps hold their value better over time than most other brands...not sure how much vales the ZR2 would command in 3-4 years. ;-)
Again, there are always trade-offs no matter what brand/models we're taking about...
Happy Trails,
-- BR
Mine is no street princess... I got a Gladiator for the sole purpose of being able to when I want to go off-road... Curbs, muddy event fields, washed out drought ridden creeks, etc... I just can. Better than in my older wranglers, grand Cherokees, H3, Tacoma's and 4runners... Just my choice. You make your own, but please stop doing these reviews and poo-poo-ing that it's not like like driving a damn Cadillac SUV with every option available... It's a Jeep and we love it that way ... This why Jeep still makes them this way
We had test drove a Wrangler. It’s an odd feeling driver experience-the dash is far and flat, the windshield is close and flat and it’s as you would imaging very square. It’s very odd not bad or good just very different.
Will you be doing a review of the Gladiator Mojave?
You are awesome!
Try GX again!
Great Job !!
To be fair, the Cherokee Trailhawk is a crossover and does have hill decent control that you can put into the 0.1-5mph range, also has the crawl control and locking rear diff as well :)
that's still a jeep tho. offroading is what jeeps are really all about and if you buy a Cherokee trailhawk, one could assume you enjoy being in the forest roads where you need something like locking diffs or slow crawl control options
Ryan, for someone who tests a lot of vehicles off road, I find it conspicuous that I can’t find a single jeep wrangler video on your channel? Surely you would recognize that in literally any off road course a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the standard by which all others would be evaluated…
We’ve driven them at multi car events, but Jeep hasn’t provided a Wrangler press vehicle to the PNW in a very long time.
@@drivingsports thanks for the quick response, that’s a bummer! Maybe one of your viewers would lend their wrangler to the cause?
Awesome new into!
Anyone notice the drivers side running light was out on the final downhill descent ? Typical Jeep quality.
3:27 moved the controls to the center because the doors can be removed.
What is there to control if the doors are removed?
Here in Canada it's not an option for cruise control. It's standard across the intire board in Canada all newer vehicles in Canada have cruise control its not an option anymore
The Gladiator is a good choice if you only drive in an area where you need to bring along a chainsaw instead of a honey oatmilk latte.
Love the new intro Ryan!
and it doesn't hurt that your a fellow Kangaroo!
Ha! Go Kangs!
Why does it matter if they move the window switches to the dash? Like your going to be able to put the windows down if you take the doors off anyways? Plus the front doors should still have wires going to them anyways that you would have to disconnect anyways before removing the door that run to the speakers, powerlocks, mirrors, and power widow motor.
At 6’1” when I checked one out (gas) I felt cramped. Both as a driver, front, and rear passenger. The front seats really need help.
Depends on what you want like you said🤷🏻♂️ I have a Sport S. I have the 7inch touch screen wish it was the 8.4 but not the end of the world. Thts really the only tech Id want. All the driver assist stuff nah forget it.
I put 33 inch all terains like the Rubicon and Rubicon Fox shocks on it. Drives like a Jeep as youd expect. Im happy with it. The Rubicon suspension is fairly stiff to my feel so when I lift it im gonna change tht
My "bare bines (according to some people) Gladiator Rubicon had the 8.4" screen, Alpine radio, "Off-Road Pages" and GPS Navigation. I didn't want that "nanny" driving monitor stuff, either, so I wasn't going to pay for it.
I'm still pleased with my "lacking some options" Gladiator Rubicon anyway. ;-)
And as for "mods" -- such as adding lift and larger tires -- not AT ALL interested so I won't. Will keep it pretty much stock (except for a tonneau/bed-cover).
I don't mind the "stiffer" suspension...after all, it's STILL a truck! And although I was expecting loose/sloppy/wandering" steering on the highway Gladiators are supposed to have (according to MANY CZcams videos), was surprised on how NOT sloppy the steering is -- have no "wandering" issue. Very nice.
Happy Trails,
-- BR
i'll wait for the 392 Hemi .. like the Wrangler has now
Can't decide between this vs toyota 4runner TRD pro vs Ford bronco badlands sasquatch
Overall a decent review. Really overselling the offroad experience portrayed in the video. Everything he’s done could be achieved in 2H.
Squirts camera gets even more blurry 👍
I think you missed the one aspect that truly separates this mid-sized truck from any other; it’s open cabin experience. How do talk about this and not highlight this? The top comes off, the doors come off and that is part of the appeal. If that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay but how do you gloss over or not really address it? Sure you did this review in inclement weather, but that’s also part of why there is more noise compared to literally any other vehicle that doesn’t offer this feature.
Talked about that quite specifically at 4:20
@@drivingsports I stand corrected, you did talk about it. It was so brief I completely forgot that you did. 😂
...but can those other choices be flat towed like a Jeep?
Mud terrains not all terrains on that one......a lot more noise. You can't hear AT's in a Jeep, the wind noise is too loud. That isn't a hill descent button, it's Selec-speed control, like crawl control in Toyota or trail control in Ford
Haha. “They don’t put the window controls on the door because the doors can be completely removed.”
What windows are you rolling down when the doors are off…?
What I really want is a Grand Cherokee DIESEL, but they're trying to push their 4xe in your face now, so no more Diesel. Guess I'll be getting the Gladiator ECODIESEL.
The Grand Cherokee did offer a Diesel, but that was only available for only a few years until they dropped the Diesel out of the GC lineup in 2019. Nobody brought them. However, my friends neighbor has a 2017 GC Summit Diesel that still runs perfectly at 70k miles which is not usually common for a non Toyota vehicle...
@Driving Sports TV Do you guys have any idea if the spare tire space under the gladiator rubicon is the same size/location on both the Gas and Diesel versions ? Picking up a diesel and the spare size/location on the gas version has been talked about, but I haven't seen anything on the diesel. Thanks !
I would've love to get this Jeep but I already can't handle my Tacoma 4x4 Trd Sport and I've suffer from a back injury so I'm looking at getting a mazda CX5 just for the comfort or a lexus. Or the Cadillac cx4 blackwing. I can't do the off road any more. Without paying for it, bigtime but I have to admit This Gladiator hit all my boxes except for the stupid back issue, I just can't do it anymore. Ticks me off.
“Not that bad” is a phrase nobody should hear in a 67k truck.
These guys also test sports cars and luxury trucks , so consider the source.
I really want to buy a Wrangler Rubicon with the diesel. Reliability is a biggest factor keeping me buying a Jeep. Truck wont work for me as I need to have our stuff secure and dry. I hope there are after market suspension to make the highway ride more comfortable for a long road trip? Yes I absolutely love my 4Runner with so much better suspension but love to have a capable vehicle like a Wrangler Rubicon. I have a feeling those diesels might be reliable.
Don't know if you made the purchase or not, but they make Smartcap for the gladiator now, really nice camper shell for the price
What's the maximum payload and the maximum towing of this Gladiator Rubicon?
Why do all of these silly reviews not mention that most of the fancy trinket sensors and junk are of no matter when you have the doors off?!? That is the bigger part of why you get a Jeep
BTW...It is Stellantis now. FCA is history. That is one very expensive truck. My Tundra TRD OFF.ROAD was $51 000 CAD which is about $30 grand cheaper than this Galadiator. Nice truck but very pricey. What kind of tires does this truck come with...KO2s?
The Gladiator we tested came with Falken Wildpeak mud terrain‘s. Also this was filmed before the name change kicked in.
@@drivingsports OH I see. Stellantis is about 2 or 3 months old i guess.
They really messed up with the window switches. Why would I want switches for windows that are sitting in the garage taking up room in the center of the Jeep, if the switches were on the doors, they’d stay on the doors with the windows they operate when you take them off. That’s my biggest gripe with the Jeep. My only other one is the manual is an afterthought. Needs to be beefier
I currently have a 2021 JTRD and disagree with mostly all that this reviewer states. The JTRD is the best all round platform Jeep has ever released. I have had multiple Jeeps over the year from CJ5 to this JTRD. This vehicle is by far the best. You don’t have to be an off-roader to appreciate the overall appeal of the Gladiator. The trail you traversed was laughable. The capability of this vehicle is unmatched by any other manufacturer plus you can remove the doors and roof plus tow various trailers. Name one other vehicle that can match it. Stating that purchasing this vehicle is a mistake unless your an off roader is utterly ridiculous. No question the Gladiator is a niche / life style vehicle but to dis courage prospective customers to avoid because it doesn’t handle or ride like say an IFS SUV is contrary to providing so called “expert “ information.
Hey Ryan, why not reviewing a SRT next?
They haven’t sent us one yet.
Okay, looking forward to see it when it in!
If only I could afford a brand new one of these. My neighbor just got one haha.
All you need to be able to "afford" is the payments...I didn't have $54K (MSRP) cash for my Gladiator Rubicon (even though paid less of course!) in my pocket, either. But I can handle the payments as I got a very tolerable interest rate (yes, having the best credit-score you can DOES make a difference).
Plus, I can always add some $$$ each month (put to reducing the principal) and pay it off early. Or just let the loan go its full term since the interest rate (from a BANK of all places -- even beat my 3 credit unions) isn't bad -- so it doesn't matter which I do. :-)
It's amazing what we really CAN "afford."
Life is short -- get what you want.
-- BR
damn. my jeep jkur is like 9mph city, 11.5-12(rare) max on freeway ugh
Jeep is probably pissed about the Toyota jacket
So, dependent on when this was filmed, but I thought you already purchased a 4Runner ORP?
This video was originally released in January. We made some corrections and re-released it. So yes, it was filmed before we bought the 4Runner.
Try out the Mojave edition
Does anyone know what device is on the windshield at 7:30?
Reasons why the FJ should have stayed in the game imo. it was everything the jeep was but kinda better~
Deja vu
So jeep put the window controls on the dash above center consol because the doors come off, but if the doors are off there are no windows??
I know, I never get the reasoning behind that when people say that's the reason for the window switches being in the dash. On the other hand perhaps if you take the front door is off, and not the rear, you can still operate the rear windows from the dash. I see a lot of four-door Jeeps where people only take the front doors off. Also, perhaps that keeps a lot of the wiring out of the doors, making them easier to remove.
@@trailrunnah8886 you figured it out yourself in the second half of your comment haha
I laughed to hard when you said 67000.....
what happened to your 4runner?
This video was released before I bought the 4Runner. It had a couple errors so we fixed it and just this week re-uploaded it to CZcams.
Yes, but the Tacoma's seating position sucks.
$67K ??? Dear Lord.
can you share please link which suction cup accessory you used for GoPro?
It’s the Delkin Gecko with extension arm.
16:53 That's what she said
What happened to the first upload?
ya
Must have necessitated an edit. I could have sworn though this video was posted back in January, but could be mixing up with the other comparison video Ryan did with the 4Runner.
@@ALMX5DP He made a video of the 4Runner he recently bought.
@@kenhoward3512 yeah but that was different from his video comparing this Gladiator against a Trail Edition 4R a few months ago.
Wondered the same, couldn't like the first upload and then it was gone.
Why would u need a window switch in the middle...if the door is off you have no need for a switch lol
The EcoDiesel is fine, but Chrysler should get rid of it and replace it with a HO Version of the new Cummins R2.8, and it should make 200hp, 450 lb ft tq
Spoiler Alert, he bought the 4Runner
I like other reviewers better. You seem “afraid” of things that people who buy these vehicles like to do. Not trying to be rude, but I believe sticking to on-road reviews in a subaru or a toyota passenger car is your best bet. Thanks tho!
What about ford ranger tremor
IDK why all americans hate 3.0 ecodiesel. Anyone has a clue?