The once humble double cab bakkie has evolved from being exclusively a utilitarian product to a utility product that can also be used as a lifestyle accessory. This is particularly evident in products such as the Jeep Gladiator, which is essentially a Wranger with an added load bed and some trick suspension. We recently had an opportunity to sample the Gladiator in various environments.
Styling
Styling is an inherently subjective matter, but if our week with the Gladiator is anything to go by, then Jeep has nailed the brief with its convertible pick-up as we received admiring comments and attention pretty much everywhere we drove. Since the passenger cab section of the vehicle is identical to a Wrangler Unlimited with a canvas roof, there are the typical boxy proportions so loved by Jeep fans, while the addition of the load bed then adds a new sort of appeal to the product, now luring bakkie fans. In short, it is pretty much exactly what you would expect a bakkie version of a Jeep to look like.
Interior and space
Stepping inside the Gladiator will be a familiar sight to those who have been in the latest Wranger, with an identical layout and the same matte red finish to the dashboard. As with its Wrangler siblings, the interior is waterproof, features large buttons for most functions, is relatively flat in its layout and features the 8.4-inch UConnect infotainment system and a 7.0-inch TFT display in the instrument binnacle. The infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a variety of apps and other features that make it one of the better systems on the market.
The Gladiator comes well-specified for its lofty price tag, with features such as a heated multifunction steering wheel, heated leather seats, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot assist, keyless entry, climate control, 4 airbags, multiple USB ports and LED headlights among other off-road features that we will address shortly.
From a practical perspective, the interior of the Gladiator is a mixed bag, with the rear quarters offering a reasonable amount of space for occupants as well as a handy storage compartment underneath the seats, which also houses a portable Bluetooth speaker, ideal for the beach. The front occupant space is less impressive, with a narrow footwell making things less than ideal for the driver and passenger while the seats are decidedly average in terms of comfort and support. Being a convertible, the roof can be removed, but so can the doors, while the windscreen can be lowered, making the Gladiator the proverbial 'transformer' of the local bakkie world.
The rear load bed comes with a coarse protective coating complete with indentations akin to the tread pattern of the front tyre of a motocross bike. The load bed can accommodate two motocross bikes, but the tailgate will have to remain down. With a braked towing capacity of 2.7-tons and a payload of nearly 700kg, the Gladiator offers sufficient towing and carrying capacities, if not exactly class-leading.
Performance and driving impression
The Gladiator is powered by the ubiquitous 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine seen in many Jeep models. It produces 209kW and 347Nm of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox sending power to the rear wheels with the four-wheel drive system is not active. While the V6 is certainly more sonorous than a clattery diesel, it lacks the low-down torque, which is not a problem in normal driving scenarios, however, when towing or carrying items, the Gladiator might be soaring to the upper echelons of its rev range to make steady progress.
Out on the road, the canvas roof does allow quite a bit of wind to intrude upon the cabin while the thin layer of soundproofing also allows the sound of the 3-ply BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain tyres to become more audible as the speed increases. The caveat here though is that the fitment of Fox suspension components on all four corners has made the Jeep's ride quality surprisingly supple for an off-road-ready product.
When heading off-road, the Jeep's compromised on-road dynamics begin to make sense as its ability to tackle a variety of terrain is second to none within the local luxury double cab bakkie market. With front and rear locking differentials, an electrically detachable sway bar, 249mm of ground clearance, superb BF Goodrich tyres along with great approach and departure angles, the Gladiator is formidable off-road. Its long wheelbase means that its break-over angle is less than ideal, however, with loads of underbody protection, the Gladiator ate up the off-road trail at Hennops, just outside of Pretoria.
In 2019, the Gladiator was crash-tested by the ANCAP vehicle safety programme. It achieved a 3-Star rating, with a total score of 23 points out of a possible 38.
Fuel consumption
Jeep claims that the Gladiator will consume unleaded at a rate of 12.4 L/100km, however, our week with the vehicle resulted in a figure of 15.0 L/100km, making the Jeep exceptionally heavy on fuel.
Pricing
The Gladiator retails for R1 259 900, making it the most expensive new double cab currently on sale. The model comes with a 3-year/100 000km maintenance plan as well as a 5-year/100 000km warranty.
Verdict
The Gladiator is one of the most unique products in the local automotive market, offering what can be considered the ultimate off-road lifestyle double cab bakkie package, until the new Ford Ranger Raptor arrives, of course. The love-or-hate nature of the Gladiator means that the market appeal is limited, but its fuel consumption and price mean that this limited appeal is even more focused to a group of individuals that will simply have to own one, regardless of its pitfalls.
