2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator picks up where the brand's last cargo-bed-carrying model—the Comanche—left off in the early '90s. Based on the legendary Wrangler, the truck version pairs a four-door cab with a five-foot box and an obligatory batch of serious off-road equipment. The latter includes large off-road tires, a sturdy suspension, and advanced all-wheel-drive systems. While a diesel-powered V-6 will arrive eventually, only a gasoline version is currently available on this Jeep. Still, the 2020 Gladiator represents a unique entry among mid-size pickup trucks and earned a spot on our 2020 10Best list. Its unmistakably rugged exterior and removable body panels make it an extremely stylish and versatile mode of transportation. After years of anticipation and speculation, the all-new Gladiator finally emerges from the shadows as the first Jeep pickup truck in nearly 30 years. Its official debut at the Los Angeles auto show revealed a host of information about the company's long-awaited model that was rumored to be called everything from Scrambler (a moniker briefly used from 1981 to 1985) to simply ""Wrangler Pickup."" Although it won't be in showrooms for several months, Jeep's latest offering will ultimately compete head-to-head with popular off-road rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, Toyota Tacoma TRD models, and Ford Ranger Raptor. The 2020 Gladiator lineup starts at just over $35,000, and costs $2000 more than a base four-door Jeep Wrangler. We think the extra coin is worth the added practicality of its truck bed and another 4150 pounds of towing capacity. We'd recommend the Gladiator Sport S and stick with the standard six-speed manual transmission. We'd add the anti-spin rear differential (which requires the knobbier all-terrain tires) for improved off-road ability along with the Trailer Tow package to unlock maximum towing capability. The 7.0-inch Radio Group adds a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and the Cold Weather package adds a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. Our Gladiator would have the optional three-piece hardtop instead of the standard soft-top. The Sport S also offers numerous other desirable options that are otherwise unavailable on the base Gladiator. The 2020 Gladiator will arrive in dealerships with a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque routed through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic. We tested an Overland model with the automatic, which needed 7.2 seconds to scoot from zero to 60 mph. In other words, it's slightly slower than most mid-size pickup truck rivals. The Gladiator will eventually add a diesel 3.0-liter V-6 that develops 260 horses and a mighty 442 lb-ft of twist, but that won't arrive until 2020. Choose the Max Towing package and it can tow up to 7650 pounds and carry 1600 in the cargo bed, which both closely align with the diesel-powered Canyon and Colorado. Compared with the regular Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator is 31 inches longer overall and has an extra 19.4 inches between the front and rear wheels. Not only does this increase interior passenger space, Jeep says it improves the ride and handling when carrying cargo. We've driven one and can confirm, well, that it drives much like the Wrangler. This means that the steering isn't extremely precise and the ride can be busy on uneven surfaces. Still, these characteristics are part of the formula that make the Gladiator both a legitimate pickup truck and a trail-ready tool. Most enthusiasts care about the truck's off-road equipment anyways, which includes everything from copious skid plates to rock-crawling axle ratios to the ability to ford up to 30 inches of water. Generous ground clearance and approach/departure angles further help the Gladiator conquer parts unknown.