Jeep lovers trying to choose between the Wrangler and Gladiator will wrestle with this decision. The good news is, there’s no wrong decision. Both are Jeeps, both are off-road warriors, and the only real thing to decide on is which one is right for you? Here’s a look at some of the features any Jeep lover will appreciate to help you decide.
Trim Levels
Both the Gladiator and the Wrangler come in four trim levels. The base model on both is the Sport, and the next level is the Sport S. The Sport S has access to more option packages. The luxury version of the Wrangler is the Sahara, and the Gladiator luxury trim is the Overland. In both cases you’re looking at similarly equipped vehicles. Leather-trimmed, premium sound systems, and heated seats are just a few of the upgrades on both. One difference here is the Gladiator comes with a Bluetooth speaker to take your tunes with you when you leave the vehicle.
The off-road trims are the Rubicon on both the Wrangler and the Gladiator. Both are similarly equipped with the Trail Rated badging and a bevvy of off-road extras. Beefed up transfer cases, undercarriages, off-road tires, and more are all found on the Rubicon.
Special Editions
You’ll find that the Gladiator comes in the four versions above. However, presumably because its been around a lot longer, the Wrangler has five special edition models available. The Wyllis edition is in homage to the original Jeep CJ-3A, built over 70 years ago. Throwback styling points combine with Trail Rated engineering to create the Wyllis.
With the Black and Tan edition, you’ll get a Sunrider soft top on a classic Jeep with blacked-out detailing and, of course, the Trail Rated badge. The Sport Altitude and Sahara Altitude editions are similar yet have some differences. A three-piece Freedom Top hardtop can be found on the Sport Altitude. The Sahara Altitude has a more polished, body-color hardtop. Both have gloss-black wheels, headlamp inserts, and grilles for a distinctive look.
The Freedom edition is a tribute to those who have served America. The Freedom has military-themed badging like a star on the hood and an “On the Move” Oscar Mike decal on the tailgate. Seats also have the Oscar Mike logo embroidered on them.
Truck or SUV
The main difference between these two vehicles is obvious from the first look. The Gladiator is a truck, while the Wrangler is an SUV. Both come standard with four-wheel drive and all the legendary capability that goes along with a Jeep.
The Gladiator though, is the first truck made by Jeep in over 30 years. Its best-in-class towing capacity of 7,650 pounds and a payload of up to 1,600 pounds, making this truck a serious contender in the mid-size truck market. The Wrangler is no slouch either. A 3,000-pound towing capacity means you can take the boat or camper wherever your adventure takes you.
In the end, it comes down to style and needs. If you want the utility of a pickup truck, pick the Gladiator. If off-road adventure is your game, choose the Wrangler. Come test drive one today and find out which one is right for you.
Wrangler and Gladiator images via jeep.com
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