Gladiator Rubicon – Amongst Dual Cab Utes the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon almost sits in a class by itself. Purpose built for heavy duty 4WD activities the Rubicon is amongst the best 4WD Utes around. 
With almost 250mm of ground clearance, excellent wheel articulation, Fox shock absorbers, front and rear diff locks, mud terrain tyres and the ability to disconnect the front sway bars, the Gladiator Rubicon is at home in the rough stuff.
These very factors are opposite of what is needed for a good highway cruiser.
On road it’s a slightly different story. It has what we call personality. Its ok, just not my first pick as a long-distance cruiser.
Inside the Jeep is all comfort. There’s a little wind noise, and the mud terrain tyres have the typical roar. But the heated seats are particularly comfortable, the infotainment system is straight out of the premium models, and you soon adapt to the “personality’ and enjoy the drive.
Jeep has persisted with the 3.6L Pentastar petrol engine with 209kW and 347Nm, running through an 8-speed automatic transmission and the awesome Jeep Rock-Trac Active On-Demand II 4×4 system. It can be heavy on fuel if pushed hard but not bad on the freeway.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is priced from $87,250 plus the usual costs.
This is a Motoring Minute
I’m Rob Fraser
TO LISTEN TO THE GLADIATOR RUBICON RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon details:
- Jeep Rock-Trac Active On-Demand II 4×4 system [4:1 Transfer Case]
- Jeep Tru-Lok Front & Rear Locking Differentials
- Electronic Front Sway-Bar Disconnect
- 2:1 Crawl Ratio
- FOX aluminum-bodied 2” diameter shocks [front/rear]
- Off-Road Plus Mode
- Forward-Facing TrailCam Off-Road Camera
- Selectable Tyre-Fill Alert
- 32” BFGoodrich Off-Road Tyres [255/75R17]
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels
- LED Headlights/Taillights/Day-Time Running Lights/Fog Lights
- Forward Collision Warning Plus
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Path Detection
- Remote Proximity Keyless Entry
- 9-Speaker Alpine Premium Audio System
- Uconnect 8.4-inch Touchscreen with Navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Steel Rear Bumper
- Rubicon Hood Decal
- McKinley Leather Trimmed Seats
- Leather-Wrapped Shift Knob & Parking Brake Handle
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
What is good? |
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What is not so good? |
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Some more Gladiator articles
- Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 4WD Ute 2022 Motoring Minute Review
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 2020 Video Review
- Jeep Gladiator 2020 Radio Review
- Jeep Gladiator RollTrac and other accessories add an even more individual look
- ANCAP Jeep Gladiator 3 Star ANCAP Safety rating
- Jeep Gladiator Overland 4WD Dual Cab Ute 2020 Review
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator arrives in Australia
- Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition arrives in Australia
- Jeep Confirms Jeep Gladiator in 2020
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator Ute
- Jeep® and Mopar Brands Debut Six Concept Vehicles for 53rd Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator Ute
- Jeep Wrangler Ute Fact or Fiction
Also look at:
Dual Cab 4WD Utes are popular. However, the Gladiator Rubicon is different to the mainstream 4WD Dual Cab Utes.
Buyers could look at Ford Ranger Raptor, Toyota 70 Series LandCruiser, RAM 1500, Chev Silverado ZR2, Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior, Toyota HiLux Rogue, Mazda BT-50 Thunder.
Jeep Gladiator |
|
Model |
Gladiator Rubicon |
| Model Price | $87,250 MLP* |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 Petrol Euro 5 |
| Drivetrain | 8 Sp Sports AT Dual range 4WD |
| Power | 209kW @ 6,400rpm |
| Torque | 347Nm @ 4.100rpm |
| Safety | Three-star ANCAP (tested June 2020) |
| 0-100kmh / Top Speed | TBA |
| CO2 Emissions | 288 g/km |
| Economy ADR | 12.4L/100km / 83L capacity |
| Economy on test | 13.5L/100k |
| Max Range | 783km |
| Servicing | 12Mth / 12,000km Capped Price |
| Warranty | 5yr/ 100,000 km |
| Roadside Assist | 5Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)
Overall Rating |
84/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 8 |
| Comfort | 8 |
| Equipment | 9 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Ride and Handling | 8 |
| Practicality | 9 |
| Fit for Purpose | 8 |
| AWD/Towing Capability* | 9 (4WD 5/5 Towing 4/5 ) |
| Technology/connectivity | 9 |
| Value for Money | 8 |
*Towing and AWD capability is measured against similar vehicles in the same class.
Dimensions |
|
| Overall Length | 5591mm |
| Wheelbase | 3488mm |
| Width | 1894mm |
| Height | 1909mm |
| Wheels | 17×7.5 Alloy |
| Tyres | 255/75 R17 |
| Max ground clearance | Up to 249mm |
| Wading Depth | 760mm |
| Approach | 40.7 degrees |
| Rampover | 18.4 degrees |
| Departure angle | 25.1 degrees |
| Turning Circle KTK | 13.6m |
| Tub Length | TBA |
| Tub width arches | TBA |
| Tub Depth | TBA |
| Kerb Weight | 2242kg |
| Payload (kg) | 693kg |
| GVM (kg) | 2935kg |
| GCM | 5656kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2721kg |
| Tow Ball rating | 272kg |
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Overall Rating - 8.4/108.4/10
Summary
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is unique amongst Dual Can 4WD Utes. It sits almost in a class of its own.
Extremely capable off road, the Gladiator Rubicon comes with Jeeps legendary trail rated moniker.
The Gladiator Rubicon has what we call ‘personality’
