Choose the Perfect 2022 Jeep Gladiator

Since the Jeep Comanche’s demise in 1992, Jeep fans had been clamoring for a pickup they could call their own, and a few years ago, their dreams finally became a reality with the Gladiator. True to the Jeep brand, the Gladiator is a truck with incredible off-road performance and a wide range of options and features available. If you are looking for a Jeep Gladiator for sale, it’s important to keep in mind what you want from your pickup and to choose a model that will deliver everything you need. This isn’t always easy, which is why we’re here to help.

As your Jeep Gladiator dealer, Orange Coast CJDRF is happy to assist all of our customers who come to us looking for the perfect vehicle, but we also know plenty of people who like to figure things out on their own. That’s why we’ve put together this simple 2022 Jeep Gladiator buyer’s guide to take you through your options and help you understand the choices available. First, we’ll look at the engines you can choose from and the kind of performance and capability they offer, and then we’ll go through the different trims available on the 2022 Gladiator. By the end, you’ll have a good idea of what will work for you and will know which options to choose when you visit us.

Gladiator Engine Options

You have two different engines available on the Jeep Gladiator, so it’s important that you pick the one that will work best for you. Both engines are available on every trim except the Sport, which only offers the standard V6. This standard engine is a 3.6L Pentastar that delivers 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. In fact, the Gladiator is one of only two trucks out there that are still offered with a manual. The second engine option is a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 that provides 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, though it only comes with an automatic transmission.

Your engine choice will dictate the capability you can get from the Gladiator in terms of payload and towing capacities. Both engines are fantastic for going off-road, so it can be better to focus on what you want from your pickup. The standard gasoline V6 can handle up to 1,700 lbs of payload capacity and up to 7,650 lbs of maximum towing. By comparison, the available diesel engine can haul up to 1,350 lbs of payload or pull up to 6,500 lbs. If you prefer a diesel truck, then the EcoDiesel is a great choice, but otherwise, the standard Pentastar is ideal for most drivers.

Off-Road Specs and Details

If you’re looking for a Gladiator that offers fantastic off-road performance, then you’re in luck. Every trim comes standard with 4×4 and impressive ground clearance. However, there are some differences between them in terms of their specs for hitting the trail. Here are a few important things to consider:

Sport

• Ground Clearance: 10 inches
• Approach Angle: 40.8 degrees
• Water Fording Depth: 30 inches

Rubicon

• Ground Clearance: 11.1 inches
• Approach Angle: 43.4 degrees
• Water Fording Depth: 31.5 inches

Mojave

• Ground Clearance: 11.6 inches
• Approach Angle: 44.7 degrees
• Water Fording Depth: 31.5 inches

As you can see, the differences are not massive, but they are still worth keeping in mind. Your choice of trim will likely come down to these off-road specs and some key differences in features and options. Let’s take a closer look at the main trims offered on the 2022 Gladiator.

Gladiator Trims: Sport/Sport S

The starting trim for the Jeep Gladiator is the Sport––the Sport S is similar but has a few more standard features and available options. Standard features on the Sport include the 3.6L V6 engine and six-speed manual transmission, plus a Command-Trac part-time 4×4 system, numerous skid plates, and a Sunrider Soft Top. You get 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires, plus cloth seating. Manual windows and doors are standard, but the Sport includes air conditioning, push-button start, and a 3.5-inch monotone Driver Information Display. The Sport comes with a seven-inch full-color infotainment display, an eight-speaker sound system, and more.

Choosing the Sport S gives you upgrades like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and door locks, and a power-locking tailgate. The Sport S also has a long list of available options if you want more upgrades, like a Selec-Trac full-time 4×4 system, an 8.4-inch infotainment display, and an Alpine premium sound system. An automatic transmission is available on both Sport models, but the diesel engine is only found on the Sport S.

Gladiator Trims: Overland

You get a number of upgrades by choosing the Overland, starting with 18-inch aluminum wheels and cloth seating featuring the Overland logo and tonal stitching for added sophistication. The Overland has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic temperature control, and a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. You get the 8.4-inch infotainment display standard with the Overland, along with an Alpine premium sound system, and any more tech upgrades. Available features on this trim include the diesel engine, automatic transmission, all-new half doors, and much more.

Gladiator Trims: Rubicon

If you’re looking to do some serious off-roading, then the Rubicon name should already be familiar to you, and this is a great place to start with the Gladiator. It features the standard engine options, but you get a unique Rock-Trac part-time 4×4 system with more aggressive gearing, a performance suspension with FOX 2.0 monotube shocks, and numerous Rubicon details all along the exterior. The Rubicon features 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires standard, with 33-inch mud-terrain tires available as an option for incredible performance. Inside, you get cloth seating in black with Rubicon Red accent stitching and embroidered logos. You also get a wash-out interior with removable carpet and drain plugs. Available features for the Rubicon include a forward-facing off-road camera and a Rock-Trac full-time 4×4 system.

Gladiator Trims: High Altitude

For a Gladiator that makes an immediate impression, the High Altitude is tough to beat, thanks to its standard 20-inch Gloss Black wheels and luxury features. This model comes standard with the gasoline engine and automatic transmission––the diesel engine is available but not the manual transmission, so keep that in mind. Exterior details on the High Altitude include body-color front and rear bumpers, fender flares, and door handles, plus you get Gloss Black grille inserts and a three-piece modular hardtop in your chosen body color. Combine all of that with the standard Nappa leather-trimmed seating with unique quilting and Caramel accent stitching, and you have a truly remarkable version of this rugged pickup.

Gladiator Trims: Mojave

Finally, there’s the Mojave––as the name suggests, this is a Desert Rated truck designed for high-speed off-road performance and punishing desert environments. This model has a one-inch front suspension lift, with FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks and FOX front hydraulic jounce bumpers. It has a unique Desert Rated badge, a Command-Trac Part-Time 4×4 system, 17-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires, and Black cloth seats with exclusive Copperhead Orange accent stitching. Leather-trimmed seats are available, along with a Selec-Trac full-time 4×4 system.

The Perfect Jeep Gladiator Is Waiting for You

As you can see, the differences between some of these trims can be pretty subtle, though once you start looking at all of their available options, there are some key things that you’ll begin to notice. Still, just from this overview, you can see some vital things to consider: lower trims have fewer comforts and tech options but still provide you with fantastic power and off-road capability at a reasonable price. With higher trims, you get more luxury features and fantastic technology, along with unbeatable performance in the most demanding conditions. If you’re still not sure which Gladiator is right for you, then come visit us at Orange Coast CJDRF today, and we’ll help you choose the perfect model!