All-new Jeep Gladiator to join the sizzling pickup segment in PH

MANILA: The much-awaited pickup truck from the Jeep brand will be arriving in the Philippines to join other new players and established brands like the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Strada, and Toyota Hilux.

It took more than two decades before Jeep finally added a new pickup truck in its portfolio after it ended the production of the Comanche in 1992. With the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, Fiat Chrysler has delivered what amounts to a four-door Jeep Wrangler with an added 5-foot bed on its rear end. And unlike the other typical pickup trucks that have curvy hoods and exterior, the Gladiator carries the boxy, angular exterior you’d expect on a Wrangler and the off-roading performance that goes with it.

The 2020 Gladiator is built for the rugged off-road. It is powered by FCA’s 3.6-litre V6 engine—the same unit that can be found in the Wrangler, that can deliver 285 hp of maximum power and 353 Nm of peak torque. The engine is partnered to an eight-speed manual or a six-speed manual transmission and is connected to an all-wheel drive train.

Both vehicles also share the same suspension at the front which is made up of a lateral and four longitudinal control arms; while the rear rides on a five-link coil suspension exclusive to the Jeep pickup for improved on-road ride comfort.

To keep up with its off-road capabilities, the all-new Gladiator is equipped with essentials such as multiple skid plates, massive Fox shock absorbers, heavy-duty front and rear axles with locking differentials, front and rear tow hooks, rock rails, all-terrain tires, and a spare tire tucked under the pickup bed.

If that is not off-road worthy enough for you, other extras can be installed such as the front and rear “trail cams” for up-close views of the terrain, FCA’s extra beefy Rock-Trac 4x4 system, a trailer hitch, and tow package that gives the Gladiator a 7,650-pound towing capacity (compared with a mere 2,000 pounds on the Wrangler), and upgraded lighting.

There is no denying that the auto industry was badly affected by the implementation of the excise tax. But with it also is the flourishing of the pickup segment which was least affected after it has been categorized as a utilitarian vehicle. Will the Jeep Gladiator fare well in our local market with very strong competitors? We’ll let you know when it officially launched next year.

Also Read: Jeep brings out 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys, Black & Tan editions