The 2020 Jeep Gladiator lasts around 200,000 miles, with some average steering and check engine issues reported. At $31,700 to $41,850, it’s expensive, but worth the money if you’re in the market for a capable off-road focused truck.
Is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Jeep Gladiator since it offers a great mix of off-road performance and truck practicality. Owner reviews praise the smooth suspension, spacious rear seats, and the reasonable running costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are more durable than luxurious, the seats offer good support on long drives, cargo space is also decent in the 5 foot bed.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread mechanical issues found on the 2020 Gladiator. In general, models from 2020–2023 are all similar in terms of quality.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, it’s not particularly fast, but it does have a high towing capacity at up to 7,650 pounds.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2020 Gladiator is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control, along with automatic emergency braking.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 19 MPG, offering 418 miles of range out of the 22 gallon tank. Gas costs are $14 cheaper than average at $252 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is more expensive than some other trucks, but slow depreciation rates make it a decent long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Jeep Gladiator?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Jeep Gladiator shares a lot of strengths and weaknesses with the Jeep Wrangler, while getting good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Jeep Gladiator at 4/5, enjoying the spacious rear seats for a small truck, but doesn’t like that it only offers only one engine choice.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Gladiator a 4.6/5, praising the excellent off-road performance, but owners don’t like the relatively short bed.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator include wandering steering, check engine lights, along with window motor issues. Overall, these problems are similar to other trucks on the market, leading to average repair costs as the Gladiator ages.
Wandering steering is the most widespread complaint on the 2020 Gladiator, showing up at around 15,000 miles. The steering feels very floaty and imprecise, especially at highway speeds. There are steering box braces which improve the steering feel, and cost around $650 to install.
Check engine lights have also been reported by some Gladiator owners at around 25,000 miles. You will need to use an OBD-II scan tool to determine the source of the light. Once you know what caused the light to turn on, replacing parts costs around $50 to $350, depending on the source.
Window motor issues are another problem found on the Gladiator at roughly 20,000 miles. The window motors simply fail as the vehicle gets older, and have to be replaced. Changing out the motors costs around $500, depending on local labor rates.
There are six recalls on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, which is worse than some other trucks from the same year. The most serious recall covers the rear driveshaft, which can fracture. Jeep will replace the driveshaft for free on affected models. Other recalls cover the clutch pressure plate, rearview camera, and seat belt retractors. Jeep will fix those issues for free as well.
How Long Will the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Gladiator can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Tacoma. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than average, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $585 per year.
As a used 2020 Gladiator reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the wheel hub for $350, parking brake shoes costing $400, along with the radiator hose which costs around $500.
So far no problems. Very reliable. It can be driven 2 wheel Dr as well 4 wheel Dr. It has sirius radio installed.
Only had a couple a couple of weeks but oh yes reliable I have not had any problems at all I would expect not to
How Is the Technology?
The standard entertainment technology is fairly basic, and includes a 5-inch central display. Optional upgrades include larger 7-inch or 8.4-inch touch screens with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is worse than some competitors, and only offers a rearview camera.
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear parking sensors
- Forward collision warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
Is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a good value if you’re in the market for a unique pickup truck with decent off-road performance. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $31,700 to $41,850, making it more than a Chevy Colorado or Nissan Frontier. When new, the price range was $33,545 to $43,875. Depreciation is similar to other trucks, losing about 3% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Jeep Gladiator?
There are five main models of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered from the entry-level Sport through to the more off-road focused Rubicon trim and Mojave. All Gladiator models come standard with four-wheel drive.
Sport is the entry-level model with:
- 17-inch steel wheels
- All-season tires
- Crank windows
- Manual door locks and mirrors
- Solid front axle
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Cruise control
- 8-speaker audio system
- 5-inch central display
- Rearview camera
- Bluetooth and voice control
- Convertible folding soft top
- Removable doors and fold-down windshield
- Class II bumper hitch, 4,500-pound tow capacity
- Anti-sway trailer control
- Combination four-and-seven-pin trailer plug
Sport S is a step up, adding:
- Adds alloy wheels
- Power windows
- Power door and tailgate locks
- Heated power mirrors
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Availability for Technology Group package (7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, automatic climate control)
- Cargo Group package options (cargo management system, 115-volt power outlet in bed)
- Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages
Overland has more items, such as:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Body-color wheel arches
- Side steps
- Tinted rear side and rear windows
- Automatic headlights
- LED ambient footwell lighting
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Heated steering wheel
- 7-inch infotainment system with additional USB ports
- 110-volt outlet in the center console
Rubicon focuses on off-road performance with:
- Off-road focused transfer case
- Increased clearance fenders for 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Suspension lift
- Locking front and rear differentials
- Upgraded rear axle
- Electronically disconnectable front stabilizer bar
- Fox shock absorbers
- Rock rails and skid plates
Mojave is similar to the Rubicon with:
- Desert-focused features
- Reinforced frame
- Unique Fox internal bypass shocks with hydraulic bumpers
- 1-inch front lift
- Desert Rated badge
- Lacks Rubicon’s locking front differential and disconnecting sway bar
All Models:
- Optional premium sound system (552-watt amp, subwoofer)
- Auxiliary switch group
- Spray-in bedliner
- Roll-up tonneau cover
- Optional black hardtop with removable panels
- Premium soft top option
- 4-inch infotainment display, leather seats, Alpine sound system, and wireless speaker available depending on trim level
What Engines Come In the Jeep Gladiator?
The standard engine is a 3.6L V6 Pentastar which delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. Both configurations have a combined fuel economy of 19 MPG. With this engine, the Gladiator can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. The maximum tow rating with the 3.6L V6 is up to 7,650 lbs., making it quite capable for various towing needs.
What Colors Does the Jeep Gladiator Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Jeep Gladiator?
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator stands out for its combination of off-road prowess and everyday driving comfort. It is recognized for its comfortable and roomy seating, particularly beneficial in snowy conditions due to its 11 inches of ground clearance and four-wheel drive with aggressive all-terrain tires. The vehicle has been designed to offer a better ride quality than its predecessors, with a dedicated body and chassis that improve upon the Wrangler. The Gladiator’s extended wheelbase and width provide additional shoulder room, while taller tire sidewalls enhance suspension compliance over bumps, contributing to a smoother ride.
However, comfort levels may vary depending on the environment. For those living in rural areas with challenging terrain, the Gladiator may provide a comfortable driving experience. In contrast, for those who spend significant time driving on highways, the Gladiator’s ride might feel less refined, and there may be better options available for highway commuting.
As a family vehicle, the Gladiator offers a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to five people, making it suitable for family adventures. It also offers the unique feature of a removable roof, adding to the enjoyment during favorable weather. Nonetheless, the ride can be a bit bumpy, which might be fun for younger passengers but less so for adults, especially on longer trips.
How Much Storage Space Does the Jeep Gladiator Have?
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offers a versatile storage configuration suitable for various needs. It can comfortably seat five passengers and provides 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space in its 5-foot bed. Notably, an extender system can add another 4.5 feet of usable length with the tailgate down, accommodating longer items. This bed size is enough to fit a queen-sized mattress using well-placed ratchet straps, two full-size dirt bikes with dedicated space for them indicated by molded treads in the bed liner, and a significant amount of camping gear, although larger items like a fridge/freezer may need to be placed in the back seat.
Furthermore, the Gladiator’s interior also offers additional storage solutions. The rear seats can fold forward and flat, doubling as a shelf for extra cargo. The seat bottoms flip up to reveal lockable storage compartments, ideal for smaller items such as tools or tow hitches. These storage areas are especially valuable in a convertible pickup to keep valuables secure.
For larger cargo, the Gladiator’s pickup bed can accommodate items such as couches and bed frames, with the Trail Rail system enhancing the range of possibilities for securing various loads. Overall, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator combines open bed space with clever interior storage options to suit a wide range of hauling needs.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Jeep Gladiator was introduced for the 2020 model year as a small truck built on the Jeep Wrangler platform.
2020: First model year for the Jeep Gladiator with all new styling, and a practical bed.
2021: New diesel-powered V6 engine offered.
2022: Sport model now has a standard 7-inch touchscreen, all other models have a standard 8.4-inch screen along with an Alpine audio system.
2023: Freedom Edition package introduced with better off-road performance, more standard features offered.
How Does the Jeep Gladiator Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a decent compact truck, offering a practical cabin and great off-road capabilities, but the driving experience may be too extreme for some buyers.
The Toyota Tacoma is another small truck which costs around $3,500 less. Standard safety features are better in the Toyota Tacoma, while the Jeep Gladiator offers more passenger room in the rear seats. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since it’s the longest lasting small truck on the market.
The Jeep Wrangler is a small SUV built by Jeep, which costs about $1,500 less. Both the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator are built on the same platform and share a lot of features. The Jeep Wrangler is better off-road, while the Jeep Gladiator is more practical. The two Jeeps are very similar and ultimately the decision comes down to which you prefer.
Do Owners Recommend the Jeep Gladiator?
Yes, very charming. I like it very much. I like keyless engine start. Also, it has lot of room. Year 2020 is the first year of this type of jeep.
Unlike anything I have ever owned, stylish, fun,economical, it's a jeep and a truck rolled up in one fun and utilitarian vehicle. (WOW)