Review: Jeep Gladiator Rubicon ute. So what’s it like in the daily grind?

What is it:

This is the ute version of the iconic Jeep Wrangler – and it is huge.

It has a stretched chassis so it has the same size cabin as the four-door Wrangler, plus a decent-sized ute tray.

A lot of buyers are hardcore off-roaders. But some buyers just use these as “mall crawlers”.

So we literally did a “road test” and didn’t take it off-road (except to get some mud on the tyres for these photos).

Ute sales are off the charts in Australia but the Jeep Gladiator has hit a few rough patches since it went on sale here in early 2020 as prices have risen.

Price:

When the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon edition – with hardcore off-road hardware – launched in Australia in early 2020 it started from $76,450 plus on-road costs, which was already considered pretty steep.

Since then the RRP has risen by almost $11,000 to $87,250 plus on-road costs, which according to the Jeep website equates to $93,120 drive-away in NSW in standard white paint or $94,298 drive-away in premium colours (including this High Velocity colour).

Stamp duty and registration fees vary in each state, so be sure to check.

This puts in the Jeep Gladiator in the same pricing stratosphere as the Ford Ranger Raptor when it comes to price.

However the Ford Ranger Raptor has better off-road capability, more performance, more equipment and more safety technology.

The Jeep Gladiator’s price rise might explain why sales dropped dramatically from 2022 to 2023 (down 42 per cent).

And so far this year deliveries have fallen even further (down 60 per cent to the end of May).

Here are the raw sales numbers for the Jeep Gladiator in Australia in case you’re curious:

• 2024 year-to-date end of May: 138
• 2023 full year: 811
• 2022 full year: 1397
• 2021 full year: 1273
• 2020 launch year: 573

Despite this, Jeep Australia appears to be holding firm on the Gladiator’s price.

There are deals on some other models in the range, but for now the Jeep Gladiator appears to be off limits for a sharp deal.

Engine:

Under the bonnet is a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine (209kW/347Nm) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

No diesel is available because the cost to develop a diesel variant for such a small market is cost prohibitive.

0 to 100km/h (as tested):

The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon did 0 to 100kmh in 9.2 seconds which is a brisk (for a ute), and on par with the quickest diesel utes in the segment.

Most double-cab utes are in the 9.2 to 11.5-second bracket, so the Jeep is perky in this company.

Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested):

This was a pleasant surprise. Most diesel double-cab utes pull up in 42 to 44 metres.

And utes with gnarly off-road rubber (such as the Ford Ranger Raptor) can take up to 46 metres or more to come to a stop.

The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon edition with the nobbly off-road tyres pulled up from 100kmh in 43.7 metres, which puts in the average range for ute braking performance – despite the hardcore tyres.

Good points:

This car makes you smile.

It has removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger.

It has an awesome premium audio system.

Most buttons and dials are well placed and easy to use.

And although we didn’t take it off road this time, previous experience has proven this has epic off-road ability thanks to its heavy-duty differentials, suspension and tyres.

The only exception to its go anywhere status: due to the long wheelbase (the extra distance between the front and rear wheels), it can scrape its belly in certain situations.

The engine is smooth and perky. The braking performance is acceptable for the class.

It has awesome low- and high-beam headlights, which are great for dark country roads.

It looks and feels invincible.

Bad points:

It only has a three-star ANCAP safety rating (including for crash structure, not just for missing a few bells and whistles) in a segment that regards five stars as the norm.

Massive turning circle (13.6 metres versus 12.5 to 12.7 metres for most utes).

Fuel consumption is high. The label says 12.4L/100km, we saw 13.5L/100km driving it sedately.

The driving position is a bit cramped. The transmission tunnel takes up the space where your left foot rests, because the vehicle was primarily designed for left-hand-drive markets.

Towing capacity is rated at 2721kg in a segment where 3.5 tonnes is the norm (though to be fair it’s better than the Ford Ranger Raptor which is capped at 2.5 tonnes).

Warranty is five years/100,000km in a market where five years/unlimited to seven years/unlimited km is the norm.

Service intervals are 12 months or 12,000km (whichever comes first). Most vehicles have intervals of 12 months or 15,000km.

What the haters say:

You paid how much?

What the haters don’t understand:

The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is not for everyone, but those who buy them, love them.

It has incredible off-road ability straight off the showroom floor.

And when people buy this car they are already imagining how it will look at a campsite or on the beach – using the premium audio system as a music hub, or the tailgate as a picnic table.

Should you buy one?

If you want a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, you know what you’re getting into.

If you want to be rational about this emotional decision, maybe hold off until the price comes back to earth.

With stock piling up, something’s got to give at some point.

Also consider:

Ford Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara Warrior, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon four door (without the ute tray).