Missing Engine Options Make the Jeep Gladiator Feel Neglected
There’s another bone to pick with Stellantis. It seems like the Jeep Gladiator has been neglected while the Jeep Wrangler gets to have all the fun. The 2024 Jeep Gladiator is sorely missing crucial engine options.
What engine comes with the 2024 Jeep Gladiator?
The 2024 Jeep Gladiator has a single powertrain option. The 3.6-liter V6 engine provides 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
While this engine is no slouch with the ability to help the Gladiator tow up to 7,700 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,241 lbs, more powerful variants could have brought better attention to this Jeep truck.
For example, where is the Gladiator 4xe? It was pushed back many times and might be on the way for 2025. However, the Gladiator sales have fallen stagnant, making me nervous about this truck’s future.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe pairs a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with two electric motors to generate 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Gladiator accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 8,5 seconds, which is a little slow for its class.
The Gladiator 4xe might not have the same amount of power as the Wrangler 4xe due to its larger size, but any increase in hybrid power would be exciting.
The Wrangler 4xe has an EPA-estimated electric range of 22 miles and gets about 42 MPGe. The 2024 Gladiator gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and up to 22 mpg on the highway.
Also, where is the Hemi? The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 stuffs a 6.2-liter V8 engine under the hood to provide 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. This beast is designed for desert racing.
While the Gladiator Mohave trim is designed for racing across the sand, it doesn’t have any extra power. Maybe Stellantis didn’t want a Gladiator Rubicon 392 to compete with the Ram 1500 TRX. However, Ford has the F-150 Raptor, Ranger Raptor, and Bronco Raptor available.
Every Stellantis truck is missing the beloved diesel engine that was discontinued. But the Wrangler still has three stout engine options available while the Gladiator gets left out.