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You may have noticed the Jeep Gladiator around town and wondered about its appeal. It’s been out for a few years now, but there’s still a lot to unpack. It’s part Jeep, part truck, and all freedom. If you’re on the fence about the 2023 Jeep Gladiator, check out a few of its secret advantages. 

Is the 2023 Jeep Gladiator a good truck? 

Is the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon a good truck?
2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon | Jeep

Yes, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator is a good truck for off-roading and towing, but it’s not perfect. Due to having a solid axle for enhanced durability, it has a stiffer ride than its rivals in the class. Also, it’s shaped like a box, so that contributes to extra wind and road noise. 

However, it’s the only convertible truck with unmatched capabilities. It outranks the Toyota Tacoma in tackling the wild. Also, if it turns out not to be your cup of tea, it has an excellent resale value. See a few hidden benefits. 

1. The 2023 Gladiator has the most passenger space 

2023 Jeep Gladiator passenger space
2023 Jeep Gladiator | Jeep

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator is actually larger than the 2023 Toyota Tacoma and 2023 Ford Ranger when it comes to passenger space. It provides the most backseat room for passengers, while rivals are pretty tight. 

Installing child seats in the Tacoma can be a hassle. Rear passengers get 38.3 inches of legroom in the back of the Gladiator but only 24.6 inches in the back of the Tacoma. The Gladiaotr has a few extra inches in the front as well. 

But the Gladiator struggles with personal storage spaces. The door sides only feature a net, and the center console is tight. However, folding the rear seats to store large cargo items is pretty easy. It can be complicated in the Tacoma due to a lack of space to work with. 

2. The Gladiator is the last truck with these unique offerings 

Most trucks are killing manual transmissions and diesel engines, but the 2023 Jeep Gladiator marches to the tune of its own beat. 

The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque is available with the eight-speed automatic transmission and the six-speed manual transmission. 

Plus, the available 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine cranks out 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Edmunds says the improved fuel economy is worth the upgrade. 

The gas-powered model gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and up to 23 mpg on the highway. The diesel gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and up to 28 mpg on the highway. 

3. The 2023 Gladiator gets work done 

2023 Jeep Gladiator off-road package
2023 Jeep Gladiator | Jeep

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator is well-equipped for work and play. In fact, it has the best-in-class towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs. It can also carry a payload of up to 1,710 lbs, and trailer sway dampening is standard. 

With the Trailer Tow package, you get a 240-amp alternator, a Class IV receiver hitch, heavy-duty engine cooling, and trailer hitch zoom. 

The Max Tow package builds upon the Trailer Tow package with all-terrain tires, heavy-duty four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, the Trac-loc anti-spin rear differential, heavy-duty Dana 44 wide axles, and a 10-axle ratio. 

Overall, the Jeep Gladiator is spacious, provides unique custom options, and is one hard-working beast. It could get a mid-cycle refresh and a hybrid engine soon.