By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 17, 2021) Prior to introducing Gladiator, one of the most commonly asked questions by Jeep customers was, “Will you please offer a Jeep truck?” Followed closely by, “Will it be offered with a diesel engine?” The first question was answered with the Gladiator almost a year ago. It was Jeep’s first pickup truck in 28 years after the discontinuation of the Comanche, which was sold from 1986 to 1992.

Now, for 2021, Jeep answers the second question with a resounding, “Yes.” The Gladiator gets a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6, rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s the same EcoDiesel introduced on Wrangler last year, when we had a chance to drive it in the striking red rock mesas of Utah’s Zion National Park.

To handle greater torque loads, the EcoDiesel V-6 connects to a newly added TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low RPM shifts and the on- and off-road rigors of Jeep Gladiator duty. There are more than 40 individual shift maps to optimize shift points for fuel economy, performance and 4x4 capability.

The EcoDiesel-powered Gladiator is available in Sport, Overland and Rubicon trim levels with the standard 373 rear axle ratio. It’s rated to tow a maximum of 6,500 lbs., which is actually about 1,000 lbs. less than the V6 gasoline-engine-powered Gladiator. However, the decreased towing capability is offset by boost in combined fuel economy (24 mpg vs. 19 mpg for the 3.6-liter gasoline V-6). Our weeklong testing of the EcoDiesel was even better, where we realized a 25.7 combined mpg.

A new 5.1-gallon diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank is located immediately behind the fuel tank with refill location next to the diesel fuel filler. Levels are monitored via a new DEF gauge in the front cluster.

Besides the benefit of increased fuel economy, the EcoDiesel Gladiator has a whopping 182 more lb.-ft. torque and at a much lower rpm, and acceleration happens almost instantaneously. In our real-time testing, the EcoDiesel felt way more powerful than the gas-powered Gladiator even though it gives up 15 horsepower. That power surge will certainly be appreciated and the choice of off-roaders. The diesel Gladiator is a full 1.3 seconds quicker than the gas-powered Gladiator, going from zero to 60 in 7.4 seconds.  

But all that goodness comes at a premium price of an additional $4,000 and also requires the $2,000 8HP75 automatic transmission, putting you at a minimum $41,040 for the base Sport trim. That makes it the most expensive Jeep truck ever.

All three EcoDiesel trim levels feature third-generation Dana 44 front and rear heavy-duty axles. Additionally, all Wrangler EcoDiesel models feature a 3.73 axle ratio. Two transfer cases are offered: Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio on Rubicon models, and the Command-Trac part-time two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio on Sport and Overland models.



After a full week of on-and-off road test driving here are a few observations: To begin, I need to mention that I absolutely fell in love with driving this EcoDiesel Rubicon trim level Gladiator compared to the gas-powered V-6 Gladiator. The most noticeable difference is with the torque. The EcoDiesel feels very torquey and power comes on instantly. Shift points are much lower in the EcoDiesel – around 4,000 rpms where the gas-powered will run up to 6,000 rpms before shifting. Bottom line – you’ll love the acceleration.

Another thing I liked was the “game changing” increase in fuel mileage. With a nearly 6-mpg improvement over the gas-powered V-6 EPA rating, it’s worth noting that during our gas-powered Gladiator testing our actual realized mpg was only in the 15 to 16 mpg. That’s a huge difference. I know you’re thinking that you are paying $4,000 more for the diesel engine, and over the long haul it may or may not equal out, however I just really liked looking down at the fuel gauge and smiling at how comparatively little diesel fuel I’ve used. One other thing — when you are towing a trailer, the fuel mileage difference will be only more dramatic and we experienced around a 10-mpg favorability with the EcoDiesel.

In addition to driving on paved urban streets and highways, I spent time putting the Gladiator Rubicon through its paces at the rugged Butcher Jones State Park, driving through the twisty, steeply inclined, narrow slot canyons, and deep sand dry riverbeds, with gloriously impressive and scenic views of jagged mountainous Arizona. I use this same course for all my off-road vehicle testing and the EcoDiesel Gladiator easily handled everything I threw at it with aplomb.

As we negotiated extreme rock formations, with wheel articulations that frequently had us driving with nothing but a view of the Rubicon’s hood and the blue sky above, the steel underbody skid plates scraped, clunked and otherwise did their intended job. Here, the EcoDiesel proved its value; the slightest amount of pedal pressure smoothly powered the Rubicon with ample assurance up and over the steep grades. This thing is a beast, proving it easily makes molehills out of mountains.

There’s no way around it, similar to the Unlimited Wrangler we previously tested, you’ll pay big bucks to equip it with an EcoDiesel engine. But, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for and it’s the only engine I would choose if I were buying the Gladiator.

Vital Stats
Base Price: $43,875
Price as Tested: $67,130
Powertrain: 3.0L 260 horsepower Turbo EcoDiesel V-6 paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy: 21/27/24 – City/Highway/Combined
Seating: 5

Crash Test Safety Ratings: The Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel has not been rated for overall, frontal or side crash test results. It received a three out of a possible five stars for rollover testing.

Where Built: Toledo, Ohio

Competes With:
Because its primary design function is for off-roading Wrangler doesn’t easily compare with other vehicles. Therefore, it’s best to compare it with other Jeep product offerings.  

Fab Features
World-class off-road capability
Impressive new EcoDiesel engine
Excellent choice of trim levels and exterior colors