The Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon double cab is a rugged off-road vehicle which has proved to be so popular with South Africans that there is a waiting list - read our Gladiator review here to find out why it's such a hit.
The Gladiator can navigate practically any terrain, competing with the top-of-the-range Ford Ranger Raptor (compare their performance here). But, is it a wise decision for an inexperienced driver looking for a new car? Let's look more closely at its pros and cons.
Related: Top the things you need to know about the Jeep Gladiator
The Pros
There are a variety of features in the Gladiator that make it a great option for inexperienced drivers who want something different. For instance, the Gladiator is equipped with cutting-edge safety systems like adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Moreover, the Gladiator has a tall riding height (ground clearance is an ample 249 mm), which offers good visibility in traffic or when you're crossing a ravine in the Little Karoo. Read more on the Gladiator's safety features here.
Its legendary off-road capabilities are another characteristic that makes the Gladiator a good choice for new drivers. Its four-wheel-drive system and off-road suspension make it perfect for serious bundu-bashing (but be sure to take a course in off-road driving beforehand). The Gladiator also offers an open-air driving experience that many new drivers will love, thanks to its detachable top and doors.
The inside is trendy, refined, and well-designed, with simple controls and an infotainment system that is easy to operate. The Uconnect 4 system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling inexperienced drivers to keep connected while driving.
The Cons
The Jeep Gladiator is hardly the kind of car that most new drivers would typically select. The 3.6-litre, V6 engine in the Gladiator (with a starting price of R1 329 900!) generates 209 kW of power and 347 Nm of torque. It's a large, powerful vehicle that may be difficult to operate, especially for new drivers (who gained their license in a small hatch), making it difficult to park in small areas or navigate through dense traffic.
The Gladiator also has a tendency to guzzle petrol, which can be costly for new drivers on a tight budget, but as we've said, let's pretend that you are in the position to fill up without breaking a sweat, then this won't matter. (Find out what monthly car repayments will be if you buy it on finance.)
Verdict
If you have an unlimited budget and you want to own a Gladiator for weekend off-roading fun, you'll be amazed at how quickly you get used to its dimensions. But, the Gladiator is not the most practical vehicle for the day-to-day needs of new drivers living in the city or urban areas - imagine having to park it in Cape Town's CBD or anywhere parking is tight - a bit of a nightmare, surely! So our answer would have to be no - the Gladiator isn't the best choice for a new driver.
A rookie driver who can afford a Jeep Gladiator can pretty much take their pick of new cars, so I'd rather opt for a premium, compact SUV such as the Lexus UX, Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, BMW X1, X2, or the larger BMW X3.
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