The Gladiator Will be a Departure from the Wrangler for Jeep

It seems that Jeep has decided not to allow the smaller engine from the Wrangler to be offered in the new Gladiator pickup truck.

When the 2018 Jeep Wrangler came to the market, we were given the first four-cylinder engine offered in a Wrangler. This powertrain offers plenty of power and was expected to find its way into the new Jeep pickup, which we now know is the Gladiator. Instead, the first models offered will make use of a familiar powertrain and leave us wondering what more the Jeep brand has for the engine bay.

The Four-Cylinder Troubles for Jeep

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s offered for the Wrangler makes 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. This is more than the larger engine that we’ve had for many years. This engine is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that’s attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Because this is an excellent powertrain, we wonder why it won’t be offered in the Gladiator. The answer we received from Jeep is that it’s not as capable of towing as the engine that we already know and admire. For a pickup truck, that makes perfect sense for Jeep.

What Do We have in the Gladiator?

The powertrain we will have for the early models of the Gladiator will start with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that’s attached to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. This gives you 260 horsepower and 285 lb.-ft. of torque for the drive. With this engine, the Gladiator is capable of towing up to 7,650 pounds, which is more than the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and the new Ford Ranger. With an engine that’s this capable doesn’t seem to need a more capable alternative, but that’s what the Jeep team has in store for the Gladiator.

More Power is on the Way for the Jeep Gladiator

When the 2020 model of the Jeep Gladiator arrives it will offer a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine that gives you 308 horsepower and an incredible amount of torque. This engine will use the eight-speed automatic transmission for the drive and it will give the truck more towing capacity than any other on the market. This new powertrain will be the alternative that makes a lot of sense when you’re looking to the Gladiator for off-road towing abilities in the future.

Coming Soon to a Jeep Dealer Near You

The new Jeep Gladiator will be on sale in the middle of 2019 and it will certainly cause a shift in the midsize pickup truck market. This truck is built to be off-road right from the start and if you’re looking for an adventure vehicle that can give you the power and the drive you want, this might just be the perfect choice for you to drive. As we come closer to the diesel engine offering, we’ll learn more about how this new engine will make the drive even better when you need a large torque number for the ride on the roads and trails.