Jeep tweaks Gladiator for 2024

JEEP’S updated 2024 Wrangler-based Gladiator ute brings mild revisions including more safety, off-roading and luxury/tech kit across the range but apart from its funky new headlights, maintains the brand’s quintessential look and otherwise resembles the current model externally.

According to Jeep, the 2024 Gladiator – due Down Under some time next year – is the world’s most off-road capable mid-size truck.

It is a bold claim and one that many other 4x4 ute manufacturers might dispute.

However, the SUV specialist insists this is the most capable and refined Gladiator yet that, in addition to enhanced off-road capability, features an update to Jeep’s seven-slot grille design, the option of power-adjustable seats, standard side-curtain airbags and standard 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen multimedia unit.

These features complement a windscreen-integrated stealth antenna – one less thing to get snagged when driving bush tracks – and seven new wheel designs along with interior revisions to accommodate the bigger touchscreen.

Ripping the roof off a Gladiator gives access to what Jeep describes as its brand’s open-air freedom in the truck segment thanks to the folding windscreen, three roof choices and three door choices, including optional half doors and removable doors, some of which will not be available in Australian spec.

Jeep has added to the allure of the new Gladiator by upping its max towing capacity to the industry standard 3500kg and “best-in-class” payload now 800kg, the latter an improvement on previously but still not up to snuff with one-tonne dual-cabs on the Australian market.

Revisions to the Gladiator’s interior focus on more technology and amenities, including optional 12-way power-adjustable front seats and all-new instrument panel featuring Jeep’s Uconnect 5 system with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and improved voice control.

Safety is bolstered with first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, forward collision warning (Sport S and above) and advanced cruise control.

Jeep has added two new models to the Gladiator line-up: Mojave X and Rubicon X, that are equipped with integrated off-road cameras, steel bumpers and Nappa leather-trimmed 12-way power-adjustable front seats.

Though not available in Australia, the US Gladiator comes with a handy factory application of Jeep Adventure Guides featuring Trails Offroad, delivering comprehensive off-road trail guides for the 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails loaded into the sat-nav system, with an upgradable subscription that unlocks full catalogue of 3,000-plus Trails Offroad trail guides.

US-spec 2024 Gladiators will be available in Sport, Willys, Mojave and Rubicon models, all with what Jeep describes as legendary go-anywhere 4x4 capability.

Adding weight to the claim is the model’s standard rear locking differential and Off-Road+ on the Willys model. Its ability to conquer the extreme off-road trails is augmented by four advanced 4x4 systems.

They are Command-Trac part-time transfer case with 2.72:1 low-range ratio, Selec-Trac full-time transfer case with 2.72:1 low range ratio, Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with 4:1 low range ratio and Rock-Trac full-time transfer case with 4:1 low range ratio.

For really tough off road conditions, the Rubicon model now has an  84:1 crawl ratio as standard with water fording of up to 800mm coupled with “uncompromising” approach, departure and break-over angles and ground clearance that respectively measure 44.7º, 20.9º, 26º and nearly 300mm.

Every Gladiator model is Trail Rated or Desert Rated and badged accordingly reflecting a spec’ list that includes Dana 44 heavy-duty front and rear axles, two-speed transfer case, traction control, tow hooks (two front, up to two rear), four-wheel disc brakes, three skid plates and a minimum tyre size of 32 inches.

Underbody components are protected by three skid plates in steel with some models scoring rugged steel rock rails.

The 2024 Gladiator retains a proven body-on-frame chassis design featuring a finely engineered five-link coil suspension system with the front utilising two upper and two lower high-strength steel control arms for longitudinal control and a cross-car track bar for lateral axle control.

Its front and rear full-width high-strength steel track bars are positioned to control lateral movement of the axle with minimal angle change during suspension travel.

The shocks are tuned for optimum balance between on-road handling and legendary off-road capability, delivering ideal ride comfort, body-roll control and dynamic handling.

Light weight, high-strength aluminium is used for closures, including the doors, door hinges, bonnet, fender (mudguard) flares, windshield frame and tailgate that help reduce weight and boost fuel economy.

The model has a steel load bed that uses four steel cross-members to reinforce the floor while the aluminium tailgate is damped for safe and secure action. Utility and versatility are maximized with strong integrated tie-downs, under-rail bed lighting and an optional covered external power source.

The 2024 Gladiator’s 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine is carried over and is good for 212kW and 353Nm of torque and features idle-stop.

Jeep says it’s engineered to provide a broad torque band with a focus on low-end torque, essential for off-roading, hauling heavy loads or towing a trailer. For off-road enthusiasts who love a manual transmission, a six-speed manual transmission is standard and an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional (in US spec).

With the six-speed manual transmission, Gladiator boasts a crawl ratio of up to 84:1. With the optional eight-speed automatic transmission, that reduces to up to 77:1.

Senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, Jim Morrison said,  “The new 2024 Jeep Gladiator epitomizes the power of the Jeep community and how it continues to push for greater capability, advanced technology and more refinement.” 

“The new Gladiator makes the best even better, with a more advanced and comfortable interior with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and available power seats tested for water fording, more safety and technology, including standard side-curtain airbags, and a fresh exterior with a new seven-slot grille, seven new wheel designs and a windshield-integrated trail-ready antenna. 

“Combine all of that with its folding windshield, three roof choices, two different door options or taking the doors off altogether, and Gladiator is the only truck in the business that can celebrate this kind of open-air freedom and still do real truck stuff.”