By Casey Williams
MyCarData

(December 26, 2020) There are several very nice mid-size pickups filling dealer lots, but there’s only one like the 2021 Jeep Gladiator.  It shares front styling and underpinnings with the all-capable Jeep Wrangler, but goes one trail further by adding a proper bed and the ability to do real work.  Option it correctly and it will sound just like a big Ram 3500 pickup.
    
Front styling is as recognizable as The Rock of Gibraltar with its seven slats, round LED headlamps, dropped fenders, and square LED taillamps.  Per tradition, doors are easily removed for open air driving.  It’s only when you see the side profile that you realize there’s a long bed out back.  Overland editions are further distinguished by body color fender extensions and 18” alloy wheels.  The tonneau rolls back to reveal spray-in bedliner and a household outlet for powering all of your tailgating, toiling, and adventuring needs.
    
Base Gladiators have a cotton convertible roof overhead, but we enjoyed the hardtop with removable panels over the front seats.  It’s a good compromise for cozy traveling with the ability to strip down on nice days.  A couple of friends can take the entire roof away with a little more effort.   
No matter the weather, the Gladiator Overland is a pretty suave place to travel.  Heated leather front seats, thick heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and automatic climate control zap winter chills.  Navigation and thumping Alpine audio with overhead sound bar add joy.  Connect devices via Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth; control them through Chrysler’s UConnect infotainment system that employs intuitive icons on the touchscreen plus voice commands and redundant buttons below.  Proper volume and tuning knobs bring a smile to my face – as does an array of safety tech that includes blind spot warning, rear cross path detection, adaptive cruise, forward collision warning, and front TrailCam to help drivers maneuver the path ahead.
    
The base engine in the Gladiator is a 3.6-liter V6, but ours has the more soulful 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel that delivers a competent 260 horsepower, but deep-digging 442 lb.-ft. of torque.  The optional 8-speed automatic seems to like the diesel most, keeping the engine in the right rev range for smooth take-offs and cruising.  It can tow 6,500 lbs. of RV, boat, or classic car.  Beyond smooth torquey power, drivers will enjoy the fuel economy of a mid-size crossover:  22/28-MPG city/highway.


    
You never forget you’re driving a hard-core off-roading pickup based on the most traditional of current Jeeps, but the long wheelbase takes most of the bounce out of on-pavement driving.  It eats potholes and expansion joints for snack, but also bounds over rough trails without bother.  Adding convenience and capability, Overland editions come with full-time four-wheel drive sporting Jeep’s Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio to get through almost anything.
    
The Jeep Gladiator Overland is neither the most comfortable nor most capable truck you can buy, but there is nowhere else you can buy a pickup truck that can go almost anywhere, doesn’t mind working, opens its cabin to nature, and keeps its occupants cozy inside.  With that deep thrumming diesel, it’s also pretty efficient.  You’ll want to take the hill, then thump your chest.  If there’s a downside to our diesel dream, it’s price.  Gladiators start at a reasonable $33,565, but came to a humbling $61,435 as-tested.  I liked our Overland diesel, but a base model on a sunny day would be almost as nice.