Wrangler vs gladiator

[IDjeep]

Wow thank you for the time everyone took to share your thoughts. Very well thought out arguments. Sounds like according to many of you, you do not feel that the Gladiator is that ONE vehicle that can do it all. Of course with anything there is compromises. My wife loves going topless—not in that way! so really looking at either a wrangler or gladiator for that reason. We have the 2 door jk and works great in the summer especially as a second vehicle, but with the kids (4 and 7) getting older the backseat is starting to get a little cramped, not to mention the dog butt in the face when she comes along. We could manage with the Highlander being a single vehicle except for lack of off-roading and going topless.

We feel the JLU will fit our needs as a single family vehicle and it would 99% of the time. The compromises is the lack of towing and ability to haul stuff in the bed (dirt, drywall, sheeting, etc). I could always borrow or rent for hauling. Currently don’t have anything that needs towing. It also lacks some of the extra room we are accustomed to in the Highlander.

The Gladiator on the other hand would fit our needs as well 99% of the time. The compromises being lack of interior storage space, lack of accessories/ aftermarket canopy etc (at least initially), not as agile or off-road capable (but better than a full sized truck) and likely more expensive (especially after you add in accessories to make it more useful for us)

Luckily we are in no hurry so will patiently wait. I have my hesitancy around a first year vehicle as well. Decisions, decisions! Thanks again for everyone’s thoughts.

Our other option would be keeping the jk for keeping trips and getting a full sized truck. Cost comparisons will have to be considered if we decide not to go to a single vehicle route.

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[Trav.city]

I would say neither. Keep your 2 vehicles. I don’t know how any family could only have one vehicle, unless you are retired. Good luck.

 

[Carnut12]

Copy and paste from my reply on Gladiator forum, the only thing I’ll add is if I wanted a pickup I would buy a Ram or Raptor.

It all depends on your situation. If you tow stuff the gladiator makes more sense, if you carry stuff that you can throw in the bed often then it also makes sense. Personally I carry Hockey Gear, Golf Clubs, and luggage more then anything else so its a no brainer the Wrangler is a much better choice for me. Yes I could get a bed cover, ive been there with my Ram 1500, but it isn’t the same. The fact the Gladiator is supposed to cost more is odd, that is all profit, no other SUV based off a pickup is cheaper then the open bed. Although I do understand most of those SUV’s have finished backs and/or 3rd row seats, I still think it should be cheaper or at minimum the same price as the Wrangler.

Figure out what you’re using it for and make your decision accordingly.

Good luck!!!

 

[Jammer]

if this is the overland or sport it's going to be ugly you'll have to get the Rubicon or there goingto be ugly. I'll stick with my JL 80 model that I just got only has 3,600 miles on it. I can't see spending that much and having a little bed I can't haul that much turn if I'm going to get a pick up I'm going to get a full size pickup I've had about 15 pickups in my life I've never had a midsize pickup I don't see the point .but for somebody that might work but if you take a pickup truck 4-wheel and off-road the bed is going to bounce around. no matter what kind of truck you have it going to because there's not enough weight back there. You have to agree this is ugly and this will probably sell for about 40,000 no way is it worth it

 

[robaw]

I would say neither. Keep your 2 vehicles. I don’t know how any family could only have one vehicle, unless you are retired. Good luck.

I would tend to agree with this, but of course everybody has different circumstances that require different priorities.

From what you have shared, if you truly want a newer Jeep then I'd say go with a JLU Sahara (or Moab). No need for a Gladiator - you don't have a truck now and doesn't sound like you necessarily need one. Some more "creature comforts" for the family, but still off-road capable. Unless you haul a lot of stuff or need more towing capacity I'd say a JLU will be fine, and a Sahara is kind of a blend of the 2 vehicles you currently have.

FWIW - I have a fam of 3 (2 kids and me), and my ex has a mid-size SUV (Saturn Outlook). There are a few things about the Jeep that my kids don't necessarily love comfort wise, but when given a choice they'd prefer to be in the Jeep every time.

 

[Bickmt]

Your kids will appreciate the wrangler if you toss the dog in the back. Otherwise, dog butt in the face while he sits in the back seat gets old real quick, and dogs shouldn’t go in the bed of a truck.

Totally agree... do NOT but the dog in the pickup bed... there is plenty of room for two in the back of the JL!!!

 

[WranglerMan]

I’m gonna have to look when they have them on the lot but then again I’m waiting to see what the new Bronco looks like, but there’s just something unique about the shape of a Wrangler

 

[Renegade]

if this is the overland or sport it's going to be ugly you'll have to get the Rubicon or there goingto be ugly. I'll stick with my JL 80 model that I just got only has 3,600 miles on it. I can't see spending that much and having a little bed I can't haul that much turn if I'm going to get a pick up I'm going to get a full size pickup I've had about 15 pickups in my life I've never had a midsize pickup I don't see the point .but for somebody that might work but if you take a pickup truck 4-wheel and off-road the bed is going to bounce around. no matter what kind of truck you have it going to because there's not enough weight back there. You have to agree this is ugly and this will probably sell for about 40,000 no way is it worth it

Except that with only a 2" lift and some tires and wheels it becomes this:

 

[TopPinArcher]

Alright I want to get opinions here as I am struggling between waiting for the gladiator vs getting the JLU wrangler. Besides the unknown price differences and the obvious differences, Why should I get a wrangler instead of a Gladiator? I currently own a 2017 2 door jk and a Toyota Highlander. Family of 4 and 1 dog. We will be consolidating to a single car house hold with this purchase. We enjoy outside activities including skiing, biking, SUP (inflatable) and more or less 4x4ing to get to places to explore or a starting point for other adventures. Minimal commuter driving (less than 40 miles a week total). So why should I get the Wrangler and not wait for the gladiator? (I will be asking the opposite question on the gladiator forum). Thanks for your help in this decision process.

Buy both...I was in same boat but decide to give the wife my JL and get the diesel Gladiator when it’s out.

 

[robaw]

Buy both...I was in same boat but decide to give the wife my JL and get the diesel Gladiator when it’s out.

Absolutely , would do that myself if financially feasible. But if going from 2 to 1 family vehicles like the OP then I'm assuming that's not an option in the equation.

 

[TopPinArcher]

Absolutely , would do that myself if financially feasible. But if going from 2 to 1 family vehicles like the OP then I'm assuming that's not an option in the equation.

Just realized he posted consolidating..that’s a tough one.. if I could only pick one it’d be the Gladiator for the tow capacity.

 

[RussJeep1]

Alright I want to get opinions here as I am struggling between waiting for the gladiator vs getting the JLU wrangler. Besides the unknown price differences and the obvious differences, Why should I get a wrangler instead of a Gladiator? I currently own a 2017 2 door jk and a Toyota Highlander. Family of 4 and 1 dog. We will be consolidating to a single car house hold with this purchase. We enjoy outside activities including skiing, biking, SUP (inflatable) and more or less 4x4ing to get to places to explore or a starting point for other adventures. Minimal commuter driving (less than 40 miles a week total). So why should I get the Wrangler and not wait for the gladiator? (I will be asking the opposite question on the gladiator forum). Thanks for your help in this decision process.

Wait Brian. I've seen this one; I know the ending!!!



No, wait that was Predator versus Alien. Sorry.

 

[iznthesky]

I own a full size 4 door Chevrolet truck and a car. I have my family, my home and an adventurous lifestyle. I have always regretted selling my Jeep CJ5. You can’t compare the Jeep with any other vehicle. I simply enjoyed all the characteristics of driving the Jeep. 2004 I got a Jeep TJ and fell in love all over again with why I love these Jeeps. Sure, it doesn’t have a truck bed.....but I have a small utility trailer that I use when I need to haul anything that would go in the back of my truck. And when I don’t need to haul anything....well I simply push the trailer behind the gate on the side of my house. I just purchased a new Jeep JL and love it even more than the previous one. I still own my TJ, the truck, car and my new JL.....and the Truck doesn’t get driven any more. The only reason I don’t get rid of it is because my kids will be driving it. If they wreck it...no worries about the truck. I am not hauling any HEAVY trailers so both of my jeeps use the small utility trailer with ease.

You must decide which vehicle you will LOVE to drive/own. I have them all and hands down.....I get more SMILES per gallon and enjoyment driving my Jeep. No kidding, it really makes me happy when I am driving it. Hard to say it....but I enjoy driving it more than my Corvette....and that’s a fun car to drive!

 

[IDjeep]

I would say neither. Keep your 2 vehicles. I don’t know how any family could only have one vehicle, unless you are retired. Good luck.

We live in a city where my kids’ schools are less than 2 blocks. I can bike commute to work at least 3 days a week and my wife doesn’t work. We do have a cargo bike that allows for hauling groceries and kids. Moved from suburbia in the last 6 months and realized that there has only been 1 time in six months where we needed both vehicles and that one time could have been avoided. So why not get one vehicle to do everything we want/need instead of two?

 

[TrailTorque]

I ran a Gladiator over during the holidays.

It felt good.

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