Which Midsize Truck Is the Best Off-Road Vehicle in 2023?
In terms of off-road midsize trucks, things have really been heating up in recent years. In order to get something with modern 4×4 capability, you don’t have to deal with the increasing size of a full-size pickup. Now, this market is highly competitive, so I am not saying that this is the only off-road truck or the one 4×4 pickup. But the 2023 Jeep Gladiator has a lot going for it in terms of ruggedness.
Does Jeep have a truck?
The Jeep Gladiator first came around for the 2020 model year. And since then, it has essentially been a Wrangler with a pickup truck bed. The 2023 Gladiator has a lot going for it, including the fact that it is the only midsize truck you can buy new with a diesel engine.
Additionally, from the factory, you can get this pickup with some legitimate off-road equipment. Although a lot of Jeep enthusiasts do prefer to make modifications themselves, the Jeep Gladiator Renegade is an off-road beast.
The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is ready for off-roading
In terms of off-road use, the Gladiator Rubicon is certainly up there. It is geared for going slow on the trails, unlike the Mojave, which is more of a desert runner. It gets its suspension from Fox, which is a third-party supplier. Plus, you get an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar.
Of course, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is not all that cheap. It comes in with a starting MSRP of around $50,000. So it is possible that opting to customize a lesser Jeep truck might be more financially viable for some.
Overall, according to Kelley Blue Book, this might be the most capable midsize truck being sold today.
Are midsize trucks good for 4x4ing?
The right midsize truck can make a great 4×4 vehicle. Especially with most manufacturers offering some kind of off-road package or trim to these pickups. You’ve got Toyota with the Tacoma TRD Pro, Nissan with its Frontier PRO-4X, and even the upcoming Ford Ranger with a rumored Raptor spec.
From the factory, most of these midsize trucks should be well-equipped to handle the road less traveled. Although, sometimes, the best route can be making modifications yourself.
By modding your own truck, you can potentially save money and ensure that you are getting the components you need. But that does take some legwork. So for some folks, opting for something like the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon might be the right call.
After all, Jeep has been in the off-road game for some time. Because of that, it has quite a bit of experience building vehicles like this. Even if the Gladiator loses out on some of its ability due to its length, it can still tackle the trail. Plus, you get that open-air experience.
Of course, as an off-road enthusiast and a car lover in general, I have to mention my favorite part. You can still get a new Jeep truck with a manual transmission. This option is limited to the gasoline engines, but in a world where manuals are dying, that’s fine.
