Used 2023 Jeep Gladiator

Other midsize trucks have specialized off-road variants, but none of them have that glorious Jeep heritage and expertise. The Gladiator oozes those qualities, with 4-wheel drive as standard, plus advantageous approach and departure angles.

They do make them like they used to, it seems. The Gladiator has the traditional body-on-frame construction, signifying something more rugged than refined. Great for towing, though.

Changes this year include the introduction of the Freedom package, based on the Sport trim. Jeep promises a donation of $250 to military charities for every Freedom version sold.

With the Willys (also based on the Sport), you’ll be pleased to know it has gained a 7-inch instrument cluster, remote start function, keyless entry, and a garage door opener.

A new Capability package is offered with the High Altitude sub-trim based on the Overland, bringing a steel front bumper strong enough to house a winch, steel rock rails, and a front-facing off-road camera.

Heavy-duty solid axles front and rear will withstand the rigors of driving through the wilderness. The Rubicon version is the rock-climbing specialist, with an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar for maximum axle articulation.

The gasoline V6 is absolutely fine. The diesel engine’s maximum thrust is accessed at low revs — perfect for decisive applications of throttle while inching up a challenging slope.

The Mojave is made for the desert, sporting dedicated suspension components supplied by the well-regarded Fox company. In less arid environments, the 2023 Gladiator midsize pickup can drive through 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 having to deal with large tires and solid axles, and the steering feels vague.

If that’s a trade-off worth making, the Gladiator can still be an effective work truck during the week. It can tow up to 7,700 pounds, and the maximum payload is a more-than-respectable 1,710 pounds.

Manual locks, hand-crank windows, single-zone air conditioning, and manually adjustable front seats are some of the really basic features of the most affordable Sport trim. Then again, this is meant to be a washable interior, hence the removable carpets and drain plugs.

This crew cab setup provides abundant occupant space. Rear legroom is 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.

With a front end reminiscent of the Wrangler, a 4-door crew cab and a 5-foot cargo bed, the 2023 Gladiator epitomizes an off-road-capable midsize pickup. Less visible, though equally welcome, is under-body protection for the fuel tank and transfer case.

As well as the removable doors and roof, making the Gladiator the only convertible pickup, there’s a fold-down windshield — another Wrangler-like attribute. It’s easy to stop and smell the sagebrush while out on the trail.

This year, every Gladiator gains American flag decals on the front fenders. The new Freedom package takes that idea even further, with Stars & Stripes designs all along the sides. On the tailgate is an Oscar Mike badge, which has its origins in military lingo for “on the move.”

This package also adds LED headlights and fog lights, black-finished alloy wheels, steel rock rails, and winch-capable steel bumpers at both ends.

High Velocity is a new paint choice this year; it’s a vibrant yellow.

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

2. Three-position tailgate
Halfway between open and shut is this extra setting, held in place by the tailgate’s cable. Items that are just a bit longer than the truck bed’s 5 feet can still be made to fit, thanks to this detail.

3. Corning Gorilla Glass windshield
Tougher and more scratch-resistant than the regular windshield, this is a great option for anyone planning to take their new Gladiator into the wild.

4. Removable Bluetooth speaker
With this option, the party can be anywhere the 2023 Gladiator truck can reach.

5. Sunrider Flip Top
There’s a choice of optional hard tops for the 2023 Gladiator, but this one includes a soft-top opening section for the front row.

6. Forward-facing off-road camera
Available as an option from the Overland trim and up, this wide-angle camera can be a big help in getting to grips with the trickiness of the terrain ahead.

For its standard engine, the 2023 Gladiator deploys a 3.6-liter V6 making 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, using regular gasoline.

The option (not available in the Mojave) is a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 developing 260 horsepower and a substantial 442 lb-ft of torque.

A 6-speed manual transmission is the default transmission, except on models with the diesel engine and the Overland trim; those use an 8-speed automatic transmission. The automatic is optional in the rest of the range. When paired with the diesel, this unit is calibrated for shifts at lower engine speeds.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) with high/low gearing and a transfer case is standard across the lineup.

Maximum towing capability with the V6 is 7,700 pounds. The diesel engine is rated to pull 6,500 pounds.

Jeep has an excellent 375-horsepower 4xe plug-in hybrid drivetrain available in the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, but hasn’t yet seen fit to offer it with the Gladiator.

3.6-liter V6
285 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg (manual), 17/22 mpg (automatic)

3.0-liter diesel V6
260 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
442 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy:22/28 mpg (Sport, Overland), 21/27 mpg (Rubicon)

3/36 Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty for a 2023 Gladiator is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles.