The Wrangler-based pickup truck arrived less than two years ago. After the great initial reception, it is time for comprehensive impressions and from what we’ve seen during these two years, The Gladiator proved itself as a great pickup truck, which is capable, looks great and offers exceptional off-road performance. As it’s still a quite fresh vehicle, we would normally expect to see no bigger changes. However, keep in mind that this pickup comes in a plethora of versions in the offer, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 2022 Jeep Gladiator would come with a new one.
Of course, we are talking about the possibility to see the same approach we recently saw in the Wrangler, with the legendary 392 engine. Considering that the two models share pretty much everything, this would be a logical move. At this point, the officials are still quiet, so take the following with a big reserve.
2022 Jeep Gladiator Could Get V8 Engine!?
Naturally, this is the most anticipated thing about the 2022 Jeep Gladiator. The current model comes with two powertrain options in the offer and we presume that this V8 would be reserved for the off-road version called Rubicon, just like in the case of Wrangler. Of course, we would expect to see the same specs, which means a 6.4-liter HEMI under the hood, which puts out around 470 horsepower. The engine would come paired with 8-speed automatic transmission, paddle shifters and other upgrades that characterize the legendary SUV sibling.
As we are essentially talking about the Rubicon trim level, this would also mean a lot of off-road hardware. Some of the highlights would be things like Fox off-road shock absorbers, locking front and rear axles, an electronic sway bar disconnect, 17-inch wheels, 33-inch all-terrain tires, rock rails etc.
The officials are still quiet about this version, so take the previous paragraph with a reserve.
2022 Jeep Gladiator Design
Other than the possible engine addition, we presume that the 2022 Jeep Gladiator would continue in the same way. Simply, this is still a pretty fresh model, which should remain in the current form for the next several years. Mechanically, we definitely won’t see any modifications for the next year, while only minor updates are possible in terms of aesthetics. This refers to some new color options or maybe a new appearance package. Anything more than that would be a real surprise.
The same thing goes for the interior design, as the current cabin already looks pretty good. The dashboard is attractive and combines fancy and rugged design elements. Of course, we love all those removable panels, while the cabin offers plenty of space in both rows. With more than 137 inches in wheelbase, the Gladiator offers plenty of room for five adult passengers. This isn’t the case with most compact pickup trucks.
2022 Jeep Gladiator Engines
Other than the possible addition of the HEMI engine, things under the hood will remain pretty much the same. Therefore, you may count on two familiar engine options. The base model comes with a well-known 3.6-liter V6, which puts out around 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A great thing about this version is that you can get it with a manual transmission, besides the more common 8-speed automatic.
On the other side, the diesel comes with automatic transmission only. Of course, the reason is massive torque, which goes up to 440 pound-feet. For the same reason, this version feels more capable than the V6, even though it has less power. Simply, the max torque is available at the low-end RPM range, which makes it perfect for more ambitious off-road enthusiasts.
Features
Jeep is consistent with yearly updates and the 2022 Jeep Gladiator shouldn’t be an exception. Still, we don’t expect that too many things will change. For reference, the current model comes standard with goodies like a 5-inch touch screen, satellite radio, eight speakers, Bluetooth, and two USB ports, manual windows, automatic climate control etc. Of course, you can get much more in higher trim levels, thing like 7- and 8.4-inch touch screens, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, nine speakers, automatic climate control, power accessories, remote keyless entry, proximity keyless entry, and remote start.
When it comes to safety, the current model comes standard with a rearview camera only. Additionally, you can get things like blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a forward-facing camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control etc.
Release Date and Price
Considering that we probably won’t see bigger changes for the 2022 Jeep Gladiator, we presume that the launch date will be scheduled for the last quarter of the year. Also, the price should remain pretty much the same, which means around 34.000 dollars for the base model. When it comes to the competition, key players in the segment are models like Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline etc.