2025 Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator remains a unique truck in the midsize segment. If you’re looking for a truck that does off-road better than anyone else, the Gladiator might be the first place to look. Every trim of the Jeep Gladiator performs off-road and carries the Jeep pedigree with it. With its iconic boxy styling and bold presence, the Gladiator proves a head-turner. Its rugged exterior isn’t the only formidable thing about this truck. With body-on-frame construction, the Gladiator can go almost anywhere and do almost anything.

While there aren’t many updates for this new model year, one change for 2025 might not make true enthusiasts happy. The Gladiator will now only be available with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed manual option will no longer be offered. In another one for the no more manual functionality category, every Gladiator comes standard with power locks and windows. There are also two new colors: ’41, reminiscent of military olive drab, and Fathom Blue. There is also a new Big Bear special edition.

The most popular Gladiator trim is the Rubicon. However, if you are looking for a Gladiator with a great combination of capability and affordability, you may want to consider the Sport, the second most popular trim level.

For some context, a new-for-2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road version starts in the high $30s. The cheapest new Ford Ranger with even slightly comparable abilities would be the XLT with 4-wheel drive (4WD) and an FX4 off-road package, from around $40K. The Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss begins in the high $30s, the GMC Canyon AT4 in the mid-$40s, and the Nissan Frontier Pro-4X kicks off in the low $40s.

Before buying a new Gladiator truck, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are strong, but the Tacoma just has the edge.

The 2025 Gladiator employs a V6 engine making 285 horsepower. That’s better than the base engine in the Ford Ranger and even the one-up-from-base engine in the Toyota Tacoma, although both make more torque. However, the Gladiator’s 260 lb-ft is still a decent amount in practice.

Jeep has engineered the Gladiator’s heavy-duty solid axles (front and rear) to withstand the rigors of driving through the wilderness. The Rubicon version does rock climbing like a specialist, with an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar for maximum axle articulation. The Mojave finds its home in the desert, sporting dedicated suspension components supplied by the well-regarded Fox Factory. In less arid environments, the 2025 Gladiator midsize pickup can ford water up to 30 inches deep.

In other words, this thing is fantastic off-road. And that has to be the main reason for buying one. Because for all the dune-dashing, mud-sliding positives, there are some street-pounding, tire-sounding negatives. The cabin gets noisy on the freeway. The ride and handling suffer from large tires and solid axles. And the steering feels vague. If those are trade-offs worth making, the Gladiator can still be a practical work truck during the week.

Even the base Sport trim now gets power door locks and windows. No more doing it yourself. It still maintains a washable interior, hence the removable carpets and the drain plugs.

A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen comes standard across all trim levels and connects you to your vehicle with the excellent Uconnect 5 infotainment software. It’s visible even with the top down. The graphics look crisp, and the processor operates quickly. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard.

This crew cab setup provides abundant occupant space. Rear legroom measures 38.3 inches, among the best in the midsize pickup class. There are plenty of places to put drink containers and phones. There’s also storage behind and beneath the rear seats.

The 2025 Gladiator’s styling doesn’t change for this model year, but you’ve got two more options in the paint department in Fathom Blue and ’41, a military-inspired drab olive green.

Although it’s a midsize pickup truck, the Gladiator has various removable bits, like the doors and roof. Oh, and the windshield folds down. It’s easy to stop and smell the sagebrush while out on the trail. If you had your heart set on a go-anywhere pickup and your better half wanted a fun convertible, well, here’s the solution — all those attributes in one vehicle.

The Gladiator is a 4-door crew cab with a 5-foot cargo bed. Less visible, though equally welcome, is underbody protection for the fuel tank and transmission transfer case.

Removable doors and roof
Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator has detachable parts so occupants can be more one with nature. Half-doors are also available, enabling better vision when off-roading than their standard counterparts.

3-position tailgate
This extra setting is halfway between open and shut, held in place by the tailgate’s cable. Thanks to this detail, items that are just a bit longer than the truck bed’s five feet can still fit.

Corning Gorilla Glass windshield
Tougher and more scratch-resistant than the regular windshield, this is great for anyone planning to take their new Gladiator into the wild. It’s optional in the base Sport trim and standard elsewhere.

Removable Bluetooth speaker
With this option, the party can be anywhere the 2025 Gladiator truck can reach.

Sunrider Flip Top
The 2025 Gladiator offers a choice of optional hardtops, but this one includes a soft-top opening section for the front row.

Forward-facing off-road camera
This wide-angle camera can be a big help when getting to grips with the trickiness of the terrain.

With the diesel engine being dropped, the only form of propulsion in the 2025 Gladiator is a 3.6-liter V6, making 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 6-speed manual transmission no longer comes as an option, making the 8-speed automatic standard across all trim levels.

Four-wheel drive with high/low gearing comes standard. The basic system is standard in the Sport, Sport S, and Mojave models, and a full-time version is available. The Rubicon has its own 4-wheel-drive setup developed to excel in rock climbing. The engine pulls well and propels the Gladiator over myriad terrains and obstacles.

Expect a hybrid Gladiator 4xe to come toward the end of the 2025 model year cycle.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Jeep’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles, which is typical among mainstream manufacturers.

Safety Ratings

The Gladiator’s safety ratings are a bit of a mixed bag. It gets Marginal and Poor scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) using its updated testing protocol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t fully tested the Gladiator but gave it three stars out of a possible five for rollover protection and four stars for frontal impacts. Perhaps the new standard side curtain airbags will improve matters if these agencies re-test the Gladiator. Jeep also says it has made structural improvements for better side-impact protection.