Jeep is back in the pickup game. Fiat Chrysler's venerable SUV brand has reentered the pickup truck market after a 27-year absence with the new Jeep Gladiator.
Unveiled on Wednesday at the 2018 LA Auto Show, the 2019 Gladiator will be the first pickup truck in Jeep's lineup since the XJ Cherokee-based MJ Comanche was killed off in 1992.
Jeep's midsize Gladiator will be a direct rival for the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger when it reaches US showrooms in the second quarter of 2019.
And Jeep isn't pulling punches. The brand has already dubbed the Gladiator "the most capable midsize truck ever."
"Born from a rich and proud heritage of tough, dependable Jeep trucks, Gladiator combines rugged utility, versatility, and functionality resulting in the most capable midsize truck ever," Tim Kuniskis, head of the Jeep Brand in North America, said in a statement.
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The Gladiator's styling draws heavily from the new JL Series Wrangler. However, the Gladiator is two and a half feet longer than the four-door Wrangler. Like the Wrangler, the roof and doors are removable.
All Gladiators will come standard with FCA's trusty 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and six-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic is available as an option. A 260-horsepower, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 will follow in 2020.
The Gladiator will come available with Jeep's Command-Trac and Rock-Trac four-wheel-drive systems. Dana 44 axles, front and rear axle lockers, a limited slip differential, electronic sway-bar disconnect, and 33-inch, off-road tires. It will also have a 43.6-degree approach angle, 20.3-degree breakover angle, a 26-degree departure angle, and 11.1 inches of ground clearance. In other words, this thing will be able to take care of business off-road.
According to Jeep, the Gladiator will be able to drive through 30 inches of water and tow up to 7,650 pounds.
Even though it's a rough and tumble off-roader, the Gladiator still features a fair amount of modern tech, such as an 8.4-inch touchscreen running FCA's fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment system. There is also a forward-facing camera mounted behind the middle slot of the front grille that allows the driver to see obstructions ahead while off-roading.
Jeep has not announced official pricing for the Toledo, Ohio-built Gladiator.
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