Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is the rare midsize truck you can fully open to the sky. It pairs a removable roof and doors with a real five-foot cargo bed, blending Wrangler attitude with pickup utility. Built on a stretched Wrangler frame, it offers serious off-road hardware, available locking differents, and class-leading towing for the segment. It is unapologetically rugged, more lifestyle statement than commuter tool, and unlike anything else parked in a dealer lot today.

Nothing else in the midsize pickup class drives quite like the Gladiator, for better and worse. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivers a steady 285 horsepower, and you can still choose a six-speed manual, a rarity that enthusiasts love. The body-on-frame chassis and solid axles soak up rough trails beautifully, but on the highway the steering feels vague and the tall, slab-sided body catches crosswinds. Wind and road noise are constant companions, especially with the soft top.

Where the Gladiator earns its keep is off the pavement and at the hitch. Rubicon trims add 33-inch tires, electronic sway-bar disconnect, and front and rear locking differentials, making it genuinely capable on terrain that would strand most rivals. It also tows up to 7,700 pounds and hauls more than 1,700 pounds when properly equipped, both strong figures for the segment. The five-foot steel bed is usefully sized, with available spray-in liner and a damped tailgate.

Inside, the cabin borrows heavily from the Wrangler, which means an upright driving position, durable materials, and an intuitive Uconnect touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Removing the doors, roof, and folding the windshield is a defining party trick, though it takes time and tools. Rear-seat space is decent for the class, and the seat bottoms flip up for extra interior storage.

The trade-offs are real: fuel economy hovers around 19 mpg combined, the ride can feel busy, and pricing climbs quickly once you add the gear that makes a Gladiator special. Buyers cross-shopping a Tacoma or Ranger purely on value will find the Jeep pricier and thirstier. But none of those trucks let you drive topless on a summer evening, and that singular appeal is exactly the point.