Jeep Gladiator Rental

[dishdude]

I seem to be gravitating towards Jeep rentals lately, most recent being this Gladiator. I had a Wrangler Unlimited last fall with the 2.0T that I liked, but I think this Gladiator was a little more comfortable, quiet and well mannered (longer wheelbase?). This one has the Pentastar 3.6 and the highway ride was actually pretty impressive. At times I was at 85+ and it was smooth, comfortable and quiet even at those speeds - it even cruised at that speed effortlessly, something I wouldn't expect from a solid front axle off-road vehicle.

The interior is all Wrangler, it's functional, well designed and built to withstand abuse and the elements. Not much luxury but a lot of utilitarian basic durability. If it gets rained on while the top and doors are off nothing will get damaged. It has all the usual Uconnect stuff that's great, even though it's a few years old I still think it's the best in the business. Behind the 3.6 is the ZF designed 8 speed, also best in the business.

All told, it's a pretty cool and interesting utilitarian vehicle that I can see why someone would buy but it's probably not for me. It can do a lot and go anywhere.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

This model always reminded me of a land rover but I read that these Jeeps constantly leak. I can only imagine the mildew smell after that has gone on for awhile.

 

[AZjeff]

Did it feel really big? The one thing wrong with a Gladiator is if you don't put on bigger tires and lift it a ittle it looks like a dorkwagon.

 

[JohnnyG]

Must have improved the ride/noise greatly since my 2010 JK4. Mine was a royal pain to drive on the highway.

 

[Silver]

This model always reminded me of a land rover but I read that these Jeeps constantly leak. I can only imagine the mildew smell after that has gone on for awhile.

I've only ever had 1 Wrangler, a 1997, and it never leaked a drop. Soft top. Like the guy that used that one oil in his car and it didn't blow up, this anecdotal evidence is sure to please!

 

[Rand]

I read 50 different stories about cherokees leaking and mine never did.

Gladiators are relatively small inside IMO. Like a 2000 ranger.
and you can buy a ram 1500 hemi for cheaper.. and same gas mileage

 

[Nick1994]

I just can’t get over how bad they look. Especially the base model ones. The loaded up ones look ok.

 

[dishdude]

Did it feel really big? The one thing wrong with a Gladiator is if you don't put on bigger tires and lift it a ittle it looks like a dorkwagon.

It felt a lot like driving an old S-10 or Ranger.

 

[dishdude]

I just can’t get over how bad they look. Especially the base model ones. The loaded up ones look ok.

Oh it's goofy looking for sure. It's kinda like a pug, it's so ugly I like it!

 

[Chris142]

I have a neighbor that for an unknown reason moved to the desert from Detroit. Having never even been to a desert! He brought his Audi and a BMW.....both of which lasted less than a month on our rocky, washboard roads.

He bought one of those 4 door jeep trucks and immediately took the doors off. So far it's outlasted the cars he brought with him lol

 

[4WD]

Wut leaks … Not water … Maybe a little from the Alpine stereo

 

[captno4]

Knock on wood, no leaks here either.

 

[demarpaint]

No leaks in mine.

 

[dishdude]

Revisiting this post, I wanted to reread my thoughts since I rented another. I'm visiting my parents and the sole criteria of the vehicle I chose from the Emerald Aisle was using it to donate this refrigerator from their garage. I still agree with everything I wrote two years ago, and the more I drive this Gladiator the more I like it. The seating position is perfect, it's comfortable and drives great. Much quieter and more refined than I'd expect. You do get some great sounds from the Pentastar, it pulls great and sounds great doing so. This Gladiator has 40k miles on it and it has held up to rental car abuse well, still feels and drives like new.

I still can't get over the awkward look of the bed, but I saw a gray one with a cap that looked pretty good. I've been waving back to fellow Jeep drivers the last few days like some kind of poser. Hoping for a rubber duck.

National threw a set of Advanta tires on it, never heard of them but they seem to handle well.

 

[Gasbuggy]

My ex had a 2019 MOAB and I wasn't a big fan, but I spent two weeks driving the Gladiator loaner they gave her while her Wrangler was in for warranty corrosion repairs around a bunch of the hinges and she was out of the country.

I really really liked the Gladiator. Quieter inside because the rear wheels don't have a cabin over them. Better ride quality. More useful day to day IMO. Fuel economy was somehow better than her Wrangler (probably diff gearing)

I would buy a stick shift model in a heartbeat if I needed something with a warranty.

 

[4WD]

Revisiting this post, I wanted to reread my thoughts since I rented another. I'm visiting my parents and the sole criteria of the vehicle I chose from the Emerald Aisle was using it to donate this refrigerator from their garage. I still agree with everything I wrote two years ago, and the more I drive this Gladiator the more I like it. The seating position is perfect, it's comfortable and drives great. Much quieter and more refined than I'd expect. You do get some great sounds from the Pentastar, it pulls great and sounds great doing so. This Gladiator has 40k miles on it and it has held up to rental car abuse well, still feels and drives like new.

I still can't get over the awkward look of the bed, but I saw a gray one with a cap that looked pretty good. I've been waving back to fellow Jeep drivers the last few days like some kind of poser. Hoping for a rubber duck.

National threw a set of Advanta tires on it, never heard of them but they seem to handle well.

My friend has a JL, JLU, and JT - (all Rubicon) and said the same thing about the Gladiator - albeit compared to his 1500 ZR2 - it is still a Jeep level of refinement

 

[HoosierJeeper]

No leaks here either.

 

[DriveHard]

Compare that Gladiator to a Colorado ZR2...not many places the Jeep will win that one.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Compare that Gladiator to a Colorado ZR2...not many places the Jeep will win that one.

Except off road...which is the point of an off-road truck...solid axles always win off road unless you're doing huge jumps which no production vehicle is meant for.

 

[GR_CoB]

I seem to be gravitating towards Jeep rentals lately, most recent being this Gladiator. I had a Wrangler Unlimited last fall with the 2.0T that I liked, but I think this Gladiator was a little more comfortable, quiet and well mannered (longer wheelbase?). This one has the Pentastar 3.6 and the highway ride was actually pretty impressive. At times I was at 85+ and it was smooth, comfortable and quiet even at those speeds - it even cruised at that speed effortlessly, something I wouldn't expect from a solid front axle off-road vehicle.

The interior is all Wrangler, it's functional, well designed and built to withstand abuse and the elements. Not much luxury but a lot of utilitarian basic durability. If it gets rained on while the top and doors are off nothing will get damaged. It has all the usual Uconnect stuff that's great, even though it's a few years old I still think it's the best in the business. Behind the 3.6 is the ZF designed 8 speed, also best in the business.

All told, it's a pretty cool and interesting utilitarian vehicle that I can see why someone would buy but it's probably not for me. It can do a lot and go anywhere.

I just returned a white rental Gladiator Overland after daily driving it for two weeks. Just like you I came to a conclusion that it's great in all it does, but it's not for me. Idk why, but something is missing, and I don't know what it is... My wife loved it. But I would be much happier in a Nissan Frontier, or even a Ford Maverick. Heck even a Honda Ridgeline attracts me more, after I got some hands-on experience with the Gladiator.

P.S. I love the way Gladiators look. And I was actually looking forward to having one as a rental and maybe buying one in the future. But after living with it for two weeks I had a case of "Never meet your heroes." I still like how it looks, but now I never see myself ever buying one, unless it is an absolute steal of a deal.