You might dismiss the updated 2024 Jeep Gladiator as a Wrangler with a cargo bed, but this midsize pickup truck is something more than that. With a 7,700-pound maximum towing capacity and up to 1,725 pounds of payload capacity, it’s a real truck ready for real work.
But, as with all things in life, there is a catch. You get the maximum tow rating with the eight-speed automatic, and the maximum payload is available with the six-speed manual gearbox.
In any case, Jeep offers the 2024 Gladiator only in a crew cab, short bed configuration with a V6 engine and four-wheel drive. Initially, you can choose between Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave, and Mojave X trim levels. However, Jeep occasionally offers special edition models, so expect those in the future. Also, Jeep discontinued the Overland trim for 2024.
Will there be a Jeep Gladiator 4xe with a plug-in hybrid powertrain? Not right away. But Jeep says to “stay tuned,” which means they’re working on it.
Notably, the Jeep Gladiator ranked highest in its segment in the JD Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) in 2023, in a tie with the Ford Ranger.
Two styling changes will help you to identify the 2024 Gladiator. The first is a new grille design, available starting with Willys trim. If you’ve seen the latest Wrangler models, you’ve seen the new Gladiator. Jeep says the grille makes the truck look taller and wider, improves engine cooling, and helps Jeep differentiate the trim levels through unique detailing.
In addition, Jeep will offer seven new 17-inch wheel designs on the 2024 Gladiator. Rubicon models continue to employ red accents, while Mojave models get orange detailing. The whip antenna is gone, its function now embedded into the windshield.
Roof options include a fabric top, a black hard top with removable roof panels, and a body-color hardtop. The hardtops are available with a fabric flip-top over the front seats. Regardless of your top choice, you can remove it for a full open-air driving experience. Jeep also offers a half-door option to enhance that sensation, or you can take the doors off completely.
New Upfit option packages from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) provide the rugged overlanding look many truck and SUV buyers want. Jeep will also offer a new overlanding roof-top camper option for the Gladiator.
The Gladiator’s interior receives several improvements regarding design and technology without losing its weather- and water-resistant properties.
Highlights include a 7-inch driver information display nestled between analog gauges and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Jeep’s latest Uconnect 5 technology. At the top of the dashboard, Jeep equips the Gladiator with a new AMPS attachment system perfect for a GoPro, a phone mount, and other purposes.
Sport, Sport S, and Willys trim levels have a black cloth interior with gray contrast dashboard trim and gold accents. Rubicons feature red contrast stitching, and Mojaves use orange stitching. A new green color theme is available with the Mojave.
The Rubicon X and Mojave X feature new 12-way power-adjustable front seats. Jeep says the trucks offer the same water-fording capability as before, so that’s good. But the premium Nappa leather likely isn’t as impervious to the elements as you might prefer.
The 2024 Gladiator has a 3.6-liter V6 engine making 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is standard, and Jeep offers four different transfer cases providing part-time or full-time operation. Depending on the configuration, the Gladiator tows 7,700 pounds and hauls a payload of 1,725 pounds in its cargo bed.
Jeep has canceled the previously available turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine. As for a Gladiator 4xe variant equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, all Jeep will say is: “Stay tuned.”
Jeep improves the Gladiator’s safety for 2024. Starting with Sport S trim, the truck includes standard forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control, while all Gladiators now feature rear seatbelt pretensioners and side-curtain airbags for the front and rear passengers. Similar to the implementation in the latest Wrangler, Jeep embeds the Gladiator’s side-curtain airbags into the roll bar.
The most impactful difference between the new 2024 Gladiator and those that came before it is the standard 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system.
It equips the truck with dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and improved voice recognition capability with a seven-microphone array. A native navigation system is optional and features new predictive search, natural voice recognition capability, and real-time traffic reporting.
Over-the-air updates keep the Uconnect 5 system current, and owners can create up to five different user profiles that pair drivers with their preferred music, app, and climate system settings. A Valet Mode protects personal data when allowing someone else to drive the Gladiator.
Off-Road Pages continues, providing access to off-roading data and camera views. Jeep says it has upgraded the Trail Cam for 2024 and has improved the Adventure Guides database of trail guides with a new Follow mode. With the new GPS Trail Logs technology, you can even record your own trails, complete with waypoints, specific details regarding the terrain and obstacles, and specific warnings.
In addition, Jeep has partnered with Trails Off-Road to offer native access to the company’s entire database of trails. Regularly updated, this data set is helpful to people planning off-road trips who need current, up-to-date information regarding trail difficulty ratings, open and closure dates, route descriptions, and more.
With Trails Off-Road, Jeep includes 200 trails for 24 months as part of the complimentary access to Adventure Guides. An annual subscription to more than 3,000 trails costs $39.99 annually.
The refreshed 2024 Jeep Gladiator faces serious competition in the midsize pickup truck segment. Last year, all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models went on sale, and those lineups add even more capable AEV-built off-road variants for 2024. In addition, redesigned Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma models are on deck, and serious off-roaders are a part of each lineup.
Still, only one truck lets you drop the top, remove the doors, and feel at one with nature, and that’s the improved 2024 Gladiator.
Jeep is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of September 7, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran digital automotive journalist with over 25 years of experience in test-driving vehicles. In addition to JDPower.com, his work has appeared in numerous new and used-car buying guides, newspapers, and automotive industry trade journals. Google him to learn more.
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