2023 Jeep Gladiator vs 2024 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator maintained much of its previous design, with a few notable updates. A new Gladiator Freedom Edition was introduced to honor American servicemen and servicewomen, featuring gloss black wheels, body-color fender flares, and special decals. For each one sold, Jeep donated $250 to military charities, and offered a $500 discount to active and recently retired service members. Other updates included a new High Velocity Yellow paint color and added standard equipment for the Willys model. The 2023 Gladiator lineup offered nine trim levels, starting at $38,305 for the basic Sport trim and reaching $54,475 for the High Altitude trim, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. The Mojave model, designed for high-speed desert driving, featured Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, a 1-inch front suspension lift, and 33-inch all-terrain tires, among other enhancements.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Gladiator introduced more significant updates, including a new black seven-slot grille design and integrated windshield antenna. The lineup consisted of four core trims: Sport, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon, with new Mojave X and Rubicon X variants. Prices ranged from $37,895 for a base Sport to $63,590 for the Mojave X and Rubicon X. The 2024 model featured subtle styling updates, new wheel designs, and a premium fabric soft top. Inside, the Gladiator received additional soft-touch surfaces, standard contrast stitching, and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Mojave X and Rubicon X trims added 12-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather upholstery, enhancing the interior's overall quality.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine choices: a standard 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an optional 260-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option, while improving fuel economy, couldn't tow as much weight. The Gladiator featured Command-Trac part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case, with upgrades available for certain models. The Mojave model, equipped with the gas V6 and Command-Trac, averaged 17.3 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 19 mpg estimate. The Mojave's suspension enhancements made it adept at handling rough terrain and urban environments, though highway noise and steering imprecision were noted drawbacks.

For 2024, the Gladiator retained the same powertrain options, with the 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine featured a standard automatic stop/start system to improve fuel efficiency. The Mojave model continued to excel in desert running, with a one-inch front suspension lift, FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, and an Off-Road+ driving mode. During testing, the Mojave X averaged 16.7 mpg over 175 miles, slightly below the EPA's 19 mpg estimate. The 2024 Gladiator maintained its off-road prowess while offering a more refined driving experience in urban settings, though highway noise and steering issues persisted.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator required practice to enter and exit, especially through the narrow rear doors. Optional side steps were more of a hindrance than a help. The interior offered a manually height-adjustable driver's seat, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available. Rear seats provided good legroom and air conditioning vents, though taller passengers might find the plastic front seatback panels uncomfortable. Storage options included netting on door panels, cupholders, and a deep but narrow center armrest bin. The five-foot cargo box offered 35.5 cubic feet of space, with available features like a spray-in bedliner and Trail Rail Management System.

The 2024 Gladiator shared design elements with the Wrangler but featured a unique frame and rear suspension. The cargo bed offered a dampened tailgate and integrated tie-downs, with upgrades like a spray-in bedliner and under-rail bed lighting. Interior storage was limited, with small bins and nets for smaller items. Climbing into the Gladiator remained challenging, and running boards were discouraged. The 2024 model introduced power-adjustable front seats, enhancing comfort. Rear-seat passengers needed to be cautious of the protruding plastic hooks on the front seatbacks.

The 2023 Gladiator featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker stereo. An optional 8.4-inch system added navigation, connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Mojave test truck included Off-Road+ mode, a TrailCam forward-facing camera, and Off-Road Pages for adventure data. However, the voice recognition system was lacking, and additional tech included passive keyless entry and dual-zone automatic climate control.

In 2024, the Gladiator upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering improved graphics, responsiveness, and features. The system supported Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. A TomTom navigation system with Jeep Adventure Guides was available. The improved microphone enhanced voice recognition, though it still struggled with complex commands. The 2024 model's tech enhancements provided a more modern and user-friendly experience.

The 2023 Gladiator offered minimal standard safety features, with optional packages adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. An Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The NHTSA gave the Gladiator a three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS rated its headlights as Marginal.

For 2024, the Gladiator received safety-related improvements, including standard forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control on the Sport S model. The Mojave X and Rubicon X added blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors. Structural enhancements improved side-impact protection, and the roll cage now included side-curtain airbags. Despite these upgrades, crash-test data remained limited, and the Gladiator's safety ratings were not impressive.