2024 Jeep Gladiator Drops Diesel Engine Option, Packs More Standard Features

1 year, 3 months ago - 15 September 2023, autoevolution

Jeep revamped the Gladiator for the 2024 model year, and, as expected, many of the features introduced with the facelifted Wrangler are now coming to the midsize pickup.

The revised face is the most obvious, but expect a host of improvements under the hood, starting with the new safety equipment.

If the 2024 Jeep Gladiator's face looks familiar, it's because we've already seen it with the launch of the redesigned Wrangler. This starts with the redesigned seven-slot grille aimed not only to look better but also to improve cooling. The radio antenna is now integrated into the windshield, a trail-friendly feature that off-road fans will appreciate. Jeep threw in seven new wheel designs and countless top, door, and windshield combinations to suit everyone's taste and needs.

As announced before, Jeep retired the 3,0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine, with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as the only option available. The punchy powerplant delivers 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque and is optimized for low-end torque so that trailing and towing are second nature for the Gladiator. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, although an optional eight-speed automatic is also available.

A 4xe plug-in hybrid variant has been promised for a long time, but alas, it won't be available for the 2024 model year. Considering that the plug-in variant accounted for 38% of Wrangler Q1 sales in the US, a Gladiator 4xe should not be too far. This should appease those who miss the diesel engine as an economical variant, although the plug-in doesn't offer the same off-road experience.

Jeep is honoring its brand name with the 2024 Gladiator, which it claims is the world's most off-road capable midsize truck. The pickup comes with 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg) towing capacity and 1,725 pounds (785 kg) of payload, which Jeep says are class-leading figures. Every Gladiator is delivered with Jeep Adventure Guides, offering comprehensive off-road trail guides for the 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails loaded into the Uconnect 5 navigation system.

This is the highlight of the refreshed Gladiator's cabin, which now features a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen placed in an elevated position for optimum visibility. Jeep says the system is capable of receiving over-the-air updates. It also provides wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay while using Amazon's Alexa as a virtual assistant. Those wanting a more upscale interior can now choose one of the two new trims, Rubicon X and Mojave X. These also feature upgraded off-road equipment to tackle the most challenging terrain.

The most significant improvements come in the safety department, including first and second-row side curtain airbags fitted standard on all models. The outboard rear seats also get seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Summing up the passive safety feature, Jeep has improved the body structure for better protection in side-impact collisions.

Active safety has also been upgraded, with all but the base Sport trim featuring forward collision warning and advanced cruise control. The top-of-the-line Mojave X and Rubicon X also offer standard blind-spot assist, cross-path detection, and rear park assistance. All these features are optional on the lesser trims.

The order books for the 2024 Jeep Gladiator are now open, although the pricing is yet to be announced. The first facelifted models are expected to reach US dealerships by the year's end.