The Gladiator is the first pickup truck offered by Jeep in decades. Sharing many traits with its sibling Wrangler, the Gladiator provides much of what the Wrangler does along with the many benefits that come with a pickup truck. As can be expected from Jeep, the Gladiator doesn’t disappoint when it comes to rugged styling and off-road performance. At the same time, it makes for a smooth and comfortable daily commute.
The 2021 Gladiator comes in nine different trim levels and a truckload of available upgrades (pun intended). If you’re the kind of person who gets stressed out by too many options, here’s something to comfort you: You can’t go wrong with any of the Jeep Gladiator trims, especially when it comes to hauling, towing, and driving on rough terrain. Furthermore, each model comes standard with four doors, a crew cab, a five-foot cargo bed, four-wheel-drive, and a V6 engine.
Among the many Gladiator trims, the Mojave stands out in a number of ways from the others. While Jeep is no stranger to producing “Trail Rated” vehicles, the Gladiator Mojave is its first “Desert Rated” one. Below, we’ll uncover exactly what that means. And while we’re at it, we’ll discuss the other eight trims so that you can compare and choose the right model for you.
THE DESERT-READY GLADIATOR MOJAVE
In order for a Jeep vehicle to earn a “Desert Rated” badge, it must provide superior performance over competitors in five categories: ride control and stability, traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, and desert prowess:
Ride Control and Stability
The Gladiator Mojave is equipped with Fox 2.5-inch-diameter aluminum internal-bypass remote reservoir shocks, which dissipate the heat that comes from driving at high speeds over rough desert terrain. Consequently, the shocks are less likely to bottom out. For extra stability, the front track of the Mojave is extended by a half-inch.
What’s more, a class-exclusive, military-grade suspension fluid is used to keep the shocks working at peak level even in extreme temperatures. And then there are the hydraulic jounce bumpers, which send fluid to a reservoir; this results in a smoother ride.
Traction
The Mojave’s superior traction performance comes from a number of components. For starters, it uses the NV241 Command-Trac transfer case (2:72:1 low-range ratio) and third-generation Dana 44 axles in the front and rear (4.10:1 axle ratio), which include a standard electronic locking rear differential. While drivers of the Gladiator Rubicon can use locked-differential low-speed running up to 30 mph, the Mojave allows for it up to 50 mph.
Finally, 33-inch Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain tires are thrown in the mix. These tires are specifically designed for performing in the sand, and they’re distinguishable for a tread pattern that extends well past the sidewall.
Ground Clearance
Here’s another comparison between the Trail-Rated Rubicon and Desert-Rated Mojave. To allow for more jounce travel, the Mojave’s front suspension is one inch higher off the ground. The rear of the truck isn’t lifted, and the Mojave’s ground clearance comes in at 11.6 inches, which is about a half-inch higher than the Rubicon’s. It also comes with a front skid plate.
Maneuverability
The Mojave demonstrates excellent maneuverability. To account for desert terrain and obstacles, the suspension is specially-tuned so that drivers can quickly correct the truck’s path when necessary. It’s as nimble at high speeds as you will find in a pickup truck.
Desert Prowess
This category refers to the truck’s performance in the dust, sand, extreme heat, and other harsh desert conditions. Thanks to the Gladiator’s induction and cooling systems, it’s a class-leader in this regard.
Appearance
As impressive as the Gladiator Mojave performs, it’s just as astonishing to look at. Its exterior and interior design is classic Jeep through and through. Even though it’s a new vehicle, when you see it on the road, it gives off the vibe that it’s always been around.
Orange is a recurring theme throughout the Mojave—and it’s boldly-yet-tastefully done. An orange-shadow “MOJAVE” lettering on the side of the hood coincides with the orange tow hooks, and orange accents can be found in numerous places in the cabin, including the upholstery, dash, steering wheel, vents, gearshift, handbrake, and transfer-case boots. You can opt for cloth or leather seats in Steel Gray or black, both of which pop nicely against the orange stitching. Exterior paint options include black, Granite Crystal Metallic, Sting Gray, Billet Silver, Hydro Blue Pearl, Snazzberry Pearl, Firecracker Red, and Bright White.
THE OTHER TRIMS
With any 2021 Jeep Gladiator model you choose, you’ll get a four-door pickup with a crew cab, a five-foot cargo bed, four-wheel-drive, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine (285 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque). Also available is a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel that pushes 260 hp and 442 lb-ft. However, there are some significant differences between the trims to consider before landing on a decision:
Gladiator Sport
The Jeep Gladiator Sport is the base model. It comes with black 17-inch steel wheels and all-terrain tires. Drivers get two cloth bucket seats in the front and a six-way manual-adjustable driver’s seat. The Gladiator Sport also comes standard with the basic Uconnect 3 infotainment system, a five-inch touchscreen, USB ports, Bluetooth, and Voice Command and Hands-Free Calling. It’s worth noting that if safety is one of your primary concerns, the Sport trim may not provide enough security for you, as the standard safety features are minimum.
Gladiator Willys Sport
There are some cosmetic exterior upgrades that come with the Gladiator Willys Sport. For example, you get a black-out front grille, a black “Trail Rated” badge, a 4×4 decal, a “Willys” decal, and body-color fender flares. The Willys Sport comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels and 32-inch mud-terrain tires.
The interior of the Willys Sport is the simplest of all the trims, as it’s designed for quick cleaning, and it’s outfitted with all-weather floor mats. The infotainment features are the same as in the Gladiator Sport. Daytime running lamps and a 97-mpg maximum cutoff feature come standard on the Willys Sport, and you can opt for Selec-Speed Control (which is also available on the Sport). This automatically manages your speed when the 4-LO gear is engaged, leading to enhanced off-road performance.
Gladiator Sport S
As the name suggests, the Gladiator Sport S is much like the Sport trim, except it has more features and you can opt for certain upgrade packages that are unavailable on the Sport. The Sport S comes standard with silver 17-inch wheels, power windows and locks, a power-locking tailgate, heated exterior side mirrors, remote keyless entry, and automatic headlights.
With the Sport S, you can opt for the Cold Weather Package, which includes heated front seats. If you want a little more oomph in the airwaves, a premium Alpine audio system is available. And you can get LED taillights too. Safety gets a bump on this trim as well, as you can add adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
Gladiator Willys
OK, most people get confused with the names of the Gladiator trim levels by this point, so let’s do a quick overview of how these first four trims compare:
Think of the Willys Sport and Willys trims as special editions. That is, the Willys Sport is basically a special edition of the Sport trim, and the Willys trim is pretty much a special edition of the Sport S. The Sport S trim is simply an upgraded Sport model. So, the Gladiator Willys provides the same features as the Sport S, along with the same cosmetic upgrades as the Willys Sport.
Both the Sport S and Willys trims come standard with the Uconnect 4 infotainment system, a seven-inch touchscreen, and the option of built-in navigation. One notable difference is that the Sport S offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard while the Willys does not. Along with the black-out grille and “Willys” decals, the Gladiator Willys also comes with red shock absorbers.
Gladiator Overland
If there was a luxury model of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, this would be it. With daily commuters in mind, the Overland was designed with added features to boost comfort and convenience. It rides on 18-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels and all-season road tires. It comes stock with special cloth bucket seats, though you can opt for leather upholstery. You can also opt for the Uconnect 4 infotainment system with upgrades, including an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Also available are LED ambient lighting in the cabin.
The Overland may be the closest thing to luxury that a utility vehicle can be, but its capability is not compromised. It’s still a towing-and-hauling machine that can provide top-notch performance off the beaten path.
Gladiator 80th Anniversary Edition
The Gladiator 80th Anniversary Edition is a special edition trim that comes with plenty of bells and whistles. Heated exterior side mirrors, automatic headlights, and an upgraded bumper with gray accents are included. A body-color grille with gray accents comes standard, as do “80th Anniversary” badges on the exterior (which appear in the interior too) and tinted sunscreen windows.
Jeep’s top-of-the-line infotainment system (Uconnect 4) also comes standard in the 80th Anniversary Edition, as well as the premium Alpine audio system, a power-locking tailgate, and speed-sensitive power locks. The niceties carry over to the interior, including a leather steering wheel, a gunmetal bezel surrounding the instrument cluster, and tungsten accents throughout the cabin.
Safety gets better with the 80th Anniversary Edition, as it provides Selec-Speed Control, a security alarm, and remote keyless entry. And you can opt for all of Jeep’s safety and driver-assist features via packages if you so desire.
Gladiator Rubicon
We’ve already discussed the Rubicon a little bit, but there are some other notable aspects to consider as you choose which Jeep Gladiator to buy. Everything about the Rubicon is designed for optimal off-road performance. For instance, it comes with special low gear ratios that help with rock crawling and navigating jagged terrain. It also provides a specially-tuned suspension and 33-inch all-terrain tires. The Rubicon will get you over/through pretty much anything, whether it’s mud, sand, rocks, or low levels of water. You get the picture.
Keep in mind that the Rubicon is first and foremost a rugged, performance-focused machine. Thus, many of the infotainment upgrades, safety features, and driver assists are optional instead of standard.
Gladiator High Altitude
Like the Mojave, the Jeep Gladiator High Altitude is a special model that caters to a specific region of the country. Rather than the desert, however, the High Altitude is built for mountainous and rocky areas. It comes standard with heavy-duty Dana 44 wide axles, and an eight-speed automatic transmission to pair with the V6 engine (most other configurations are a six-speed automatic or manual).
While some of the other models sport accents or blacked-out features, the High Altitude comes with a body-color grille, bumpers, and exterior mirrors. You get glossy black 20-inch aluminum wheels and all-season tires. Another feature worth mentioning is the three-piece hardtop that you can easily remove. This trim is topped off with the Uconnect 4 infotainment system, premium Alpine audio system, and quilted Nappa leather seats—all of which are standard.
Which Model Should You Buy?
One of the best things about buying a 2021 Jeep Gladiator is that you are sure to get a truck that performs excellent with hauling, towing, and navigating rough terrain—no matter which trim you choose. The Sport and Sport S models are going to be your most budget-friendly options. The Overland is perfect for those who drive primarily on the pavement, the Rubicon is the best choice if your main goal is to go recreational off-roading, and the Mojave is ideal if you drive in desert regions and/or participate in off-road racing. The High Altitude is primed for those who drive a lot in the mountains.
You have a lot of options and trim levels when it comes to the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. But don’t get stressed out. Schedule some test drives with us at Mount Airy CDJRF, and we’ll help you pick the perfect one!
