Does the Jeep Gladiator come in automatic?

Many offroad enthusiasts decry the use of automatic transmissions in purpose-built offroad machines and one of the most asked questions is if the new Gladiator comes with a manual option. We find out the facts!

Lawrence Minnie

12 Jan 2023 · 08:59Buying a Car

1 / 3

Trekking for tracks

The Jeep Gladiator was something of a palette cleanser for our local market with the Ohio-based manufacturer throwing its hat into the double cab ring. Offering up a 4 door utility vehicle that has Jeep's famous offroad credentials was a surefire way of enticing a few buyers away from our traditional big three bakkies.

Sporting the 3.6l V6 Pentastar petrol engine mated to an 8-speed transmission, powering all four wheels, and riding on a tuned FOX offroad suspension, the Gladiator has space and convenience but also the drive to go just about anywhere with anything.

Shifting gears

However, the Gladiator, as with so many other American-based brands, only offers the Jeep with an Auto transmission with no manual option. The Auto option though is perfectly paired with the 3.6l V6 and tuned for the road and just about any surface you may find yourself on, and you would be hard-pressed to find a manual option that would be better than what Jeep has put together in the Gladiator.

Written by Lawrence Minnie

Lawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.Read more