If you are itching to see the new Jeep Gladiator bakkie in South Africa thenwe’ve got some good news for you as the newcomer is now available in South Africa!

The new Jeep Gladiator was revealed back in 2018 and it has now arrived on local soil.

This is big newsbecause at the time, the Gladiator bakkie wasn’t under consideration for South Africa and now that it’s here, we’re excited to see how the Gladiator will performagainst formidable rivals in the double-cab bakkiesegment such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max,Volkswagen Amarok and others.

Is the Jeep Gladiator more versatile thana conventional double-cab bakkie?

Versatility is a strength of the Gladiator bakkie and it makes for a unique driving experience.

The Jeep Gladiator is built at the firm’s Toledo production facility in Ohio, USA and it’sone impressive-looking vehicle! Perhaps where the Gladiator differentiates itself from its rivals the most is in terms of functionality and versatility. For instance, the Gladiator has been specifically designed to allow for the doorsto be removed or for the windscreen to be folded down, if you wish. No other double-cab bakkie on the market can do that! This allows for a more intimate driving experience whether it be in the bush or in the urban jungle.

The Gladiator Rubicon is offered with a Sunrider soft top roof which can be open/closed in segments depending on your needs and there’s also a black 3-piece hardtop roof with a manual rear sliding windowavailable with quick-release latches that make it easy to remove and install.

In South Africa, the Gladiator Rubicon will be the sole offering and standard feature specification is very good indeed. Gladiator buyers are treated to leather seats with adjustable bolster and lumbar support.An 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability as well as intergrated navigation and a full-colour 7-inch LED instrument cluster is standard. A 9-speaker Alpine Premium sound system is also offered as standard as is wireless smart charging.

Safety features abound in the Gladiator and some key features include adaptive cruise control, a front and rear ParkSense system which helps with parking the Gladiator safely, Parkview rear camera, tyre pressure monitoring system and forward collision warning with active braking.

The Gladiator Rubicon is offered in a range of colours including Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Sting Grey, Sarge Green, Firecracker Red, Snazzberry, Hydro Blue or Silver Zenith.

The Gladiator Rubicon is jam-packed with comfort and convenience features.

What engine powers theJeep Gladiator and can it go offroad?

The Jeep Gladiator is powered by a3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine that offers209 kW and 347Nm of torque and is mated with an 8-speed automatic.In overseas markets, a191 kW / 597 Nm 3.0-litre EcoDiesel engine is also available, but given Jeep SA’s strategy of removing diesel power from its line-up, this engine is not available in South Africawhich is a great pity because this diesel engine would be hugely competitive against other rivals in this segment.

Jeep says that the V6 petrolengine is engineered to provide a broad torque band but focuses on delivering low-end torque which offroad enthusiasts will find useful.

The Gladiator is said to offer formidable offroad ability. We can’t wait to put it to the test!

As far as offroad ability is concerned, the Gladiator brings some serious credentials to the table. The Gladiator Rubicon is equipped with a Rock Trac 4×4 system with heavy duty Dana 44 front and rear axles and front and rear Tru-Lok locking differentials as well as chunky 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch BF Goodrich Off-Road rubber and front and rear FOX aluminium-bodies 2-inch diameter shocks.Approach angle is claimed at 43.4 degrees while the departure angle is claimed at 26-degrees. The breakover angle is said to be 20.3-degrees.

The Gladiator should be very capable when the tar ends with ground clearance at 282 mm,wading depth of 800 mm, a maximum towing capacity of 2 721 kg and payload capacity of 693 kg.

So, the question is, how much would you be prepared to pay for the ultimate Jeep?

How much does the Jeep Gladiator cost in South Africa?

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon – R1 259 900

The Jeep Gladiator is sold with a 5-year/100 000km warranty and a3-year / 100 000km maintenance plan.

Want to purchase a new or used Jeep? Browse vehicles here.

Further Reading

Electric Jeep coming in 2023

Jeep Wrangler (2021) Review