For off-road enthusiasts, the brand has always been the best choice. So, when Jeep reintroduced the Gladiator as a midsize pickup truck in 2019 after a three-decade hiatus, many Jeep fanatics were excited at the chance to own a pickup with Jeep’s iconic aesthetic.
However, for consumers who aren’t Jeep fanatics, that might make the midsize truck seem like more trouble than it’s worth. While there are a variety of pros and cons associated with this pickup truck, TrueCar has compiled a list of the top three reasons consumers might want to avoid purchasing the 2023 Jeep Gladiator.
He is a thirsty truck driver. According to the Jeep Gladiator, it only gets about 23 mpg on the highway with its base engine. When it comes to city driving, the Gladiator gets around 16 mpg.
Compared to other midsize trucks, the Jeep Gladiator can be considered a gas guzzler. For example, it delivers 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Likewise, the Hyundai Santa Cruz midsize truck delivers 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
The 2023 Jeep Gladiator is a more expensive midsize truck
The second reason consumers might choose to forgo the 2023 sedan and opt for a different midsize truck is the Gladiator’s price. The 2023 Gladiator comes in 10 different liveries. According to Jeep, the base model, the Sport 4×4, has a starting MSRP of about $38,775. The highest-priced Gladiator is the High Altitude 4×4 with an MSRP of approximately $54,575.
The 2023 Gladiator doesn’t give consumers as much bang for their buck compared to other desirable midsize trucks. For example, the 2023 Ford Maverick has an MSRP starting at $24,190. Hyundai Santa Cruz has an MSRP starting at $27,035. The cost of the 2023 Ford Ranger MSRP is $28,895. The Chevrolet Colorado has an MSRP starting at $27,630.
These price points mean that consumers should be prepared to pay an additional $10,000 for the basic Gladiator options. Of course, this does not seem like much to the majority of consumers.
Jeeps are not built for smooth sidewalks
The third reason consumers may decide to avoid the 2023 Gladiator is that Jeeps simply aren’t made for the sidewalk. Aesthetically, everything in front of the Gladiator’s 5-foot bed looks a lot like a Jeep Wrangler.
For Jeep enthusiasts, this is great because the Gladiator not only looks like a Wrangler but the top and doors are also removable. Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator is built for off-road driving. However, the Jeep brand’s commitment to all-terrain supremacy means comfort and pavement drivability suffer.
All in all, if off-road driving is your priority, the Gladiator can provide you with everything you are looking for. However, if you’re looking for a mid-size truck that delivers a smooth ride on the highway, the Gladiator will prove to be a no-brainer.
That factor, along with the Gladiator’s hefty price and poor fuel economy for its size, might drive the majority of consumers the other way if they weren’t fanatical about Jeeps.
