The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is all-new this year and transforms the beloved Jeep Wrangler into an all-new Jeep pickup truck. That’s not the only reason to consider this all-new Jeep model. Most recently, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator was included in Popular Mechanics’ Automotive Excellence Awards and was tapped as its ‘Mid-Size Truck of the Year.’ 

How Popular Mechanics chose its award winners

Over the last year, Popular Mechanics has put a slew of SUVs, sedans, trucks, wagons, sports cars, and vans through rigorous testing. From test drives on city streets to afternoon jaunts on rutted forest roads, Popular Mechanics didn’t hold anything back when choosing its award winners.

Its list was based on more than a year’s worth of test drives. Popular Mechanics also cross-referenced its driving experiences with data from a long list of trusted sources, including Car & Driver, J.D. Power, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports. 

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is Popular Mechanics’ ‘Mid-Size Truck of the Year’

As Popular Mechanics put it, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is “a rare combination of whimsical fun and everyday usefulness, a workhorse that doubles as a weekend toy.” From its easy to remove doors to its fold-down windshield, there’s a lot to love about the 2020 Jeep Gladiator.

Of all the Jeep Gladiator models you could choose, Popular Mechanics named a few that are definitely worth considering. If you want to tow as much as possible, though, Popular Mechanics suggests opting for the Sport S Max Tow, which is capable of hauling up to 7,650-pounds.

According to Popular Mechanics, buyers should opt for the Gladiator’s premium soft top too. Though the hard top does provide a quieter cabin, Popular Mechanics insists that the premium soft top is not only easier to use, but also easier to store.

Is the Gladiator a Jeep worth buying?

While Popular Mechanics did tap the 2020 Jeep Gladiator as its ‘Mid-Size Truck of the Year,’ that doesn’t mean it’s a pickup worth buying. Awards are certainly nice, and for some, they can be convincing, but the 2020 Jeep Gladiator may not be the best choice out there.

J.D. Power gave the Jeep Gladiator a ‘Great’ quality and reliability rating. Consumer Reports wasn’t quite as impressed with the Gladiator’s overall reliability, though, and unlike J.D. Power, gave it a two out of five predicted reliability rating. It did, however, earn a four out of five predicted customer satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports was impressed with how the 2020 Jeep Gladiator drives. According to their team, the new Jeep Gladiator boasts a “better ride than the Wrangler and rivals such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.”

Find out if the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is right for you

While it may have been voted as Popular Mechanics’ ‘Mid-Size Truck of the Year,’ the 2020 Jeep Gladiator isn’t the only option in its segment. If you’re in the market for a convertible-esque pickup truck, though? This Jeep is definitely worth a test drive.