Jeep Gladiator - Nail in the coffin for the ZR2?

[Chris walker]

I'm a huge fan of the ZR2 and am heavily considering a ZR2 or a Trail boss for my next purchase. I wont buy a Jeep product after their latest JL release nightmare so Im not a Jeep fan boy in disguise. 've been wondering, however,  if the Gladiator isnt the nail in the coffin for the ZR2.

 

Where the ZR2 better:

-MUCH more reliable

-Better power plants

-Better shocks

-Better on road driving (potentially)

-will cost less

 

Where will the Gladiator be better::

-Aftermarket will be insane

-Lift tires will be zero issues. You should be able to put up to 37's with factor warranty mopar lift

-Light years ahead in tech

-Removable top (some may not see this as an improvement)

-Industry leading towing

-Off road focused interior

-Much better gearing options

-Much better rear seat room

 

Where they are equal:

-Both will be insanely capable off road (ZR2/Rubicon will be comparable)

 

What will drive the serious off road market to purchase a ZR2? 

 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2018 by Chris walker

[rkj__]

I think the ZR2 will provide a much quieter and smoother on road ride, as well as a smoother high speed off road ride.  Wind noise will be much lower in the ZR2, with it's fixed roof.  It will be a better value IMO.  The styling of the ZR2 is much smoother, and more cohesive.  I believe the ZR2 will be easier to live with day to day for many buyers.

 

There is no doubt though, that the Rubicon's tow rating crushes that of the ZR2.  It can tow a full 2,000lb more.  And, the ability to add 35s stock, and 37s, with an easy to install, fairly inexpensive lift  is another huge advantage.  That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to aftermarket upgrades.  The Rubicon will definitely have the advantage when it comes to rock crawling, with its solid axles, disconnectable swaybar, and bigger tires.  While the Jeep may shine off road, you will have to trade off some on road noise and comfort.  You also get somewhat polarizing styling, that will leave some shoppers with the impression that the Gladiator looks like a hacked up Wrangler. 

 

It will be fun to watch buyers and the media put the ZR2 Bison head to head with the Gladiator Rubicon.

[i82much]

I have owned two Rubicons, and three GM trucks.  No GM truck is going to keep up with a Rubicon-based truck off road.  I am back in a GM truck because Jeep makes junk, but let's not kid ourselves - the Wrangler setup with sfa, lockers, and disconnects is shockingly capable.

[j-ten-ner]

I consider the new "Gladiator" a fail.

Jeep could have nailed it if they had the balls to bring this concept truck into production.

I'd be all over it.

 

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[madcratebuilder]

The Gladiator is 3" narrower, 10" longer with 11" more wheelbase compared to the ZR2.  Depending on  what it drives like and price has a major impact on success.

[Sierra Dan]

Sizing up the Jeep Gladiator to a Chevy Colorado ZR2, is like comparing a Toyota Prius to a Challenger Hellcat! 

Apples and Oranges all day long.

The ZR2 and Gladiator both look cool but the similarity ends there.

[Sierra Dan]

The gladiator is at least another 10K more than A diesel equipped ZR2 or the new Bison version.

Would gladly take one of those two over the 60K Jeep any day unless all I wanted to do was rock climb.

[Likarok]

I don't think the ZR2 has anything to worry about. The fact that the Jeep looks like a Jeep is all that has to be said. 

[MaverickZ71]

Bull.  Recent magazine reviews have already ranked the Colorado/ZR2/Bison above the much-ballyhooed newer Gladiator and Ranger, not to mention the ancient Tacoma and Frontier.  Besides, only Jeep fanboys will pay $60K for a midsize Gladiator Rubicon when a few more bucks will get you into a fullsize Raptor or Power Wagon.  TFL did a towing test with the Gladiator and thought it sounded like it was going to blow its engine towing it's rated capacity.  A regular cab Gladiator Rubicon may have gone over better--the longer wheelbase of the crew cab kills its breakover angle.   

Edited June 8, 2019 by MaverickZ71

[KARNUT]

The reviews I read complimented the new Jeep. I know around here Jeeps are popular and hold their value. Not my thing, but that’s me.


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[MaverickZ71]

On 12/15/2018 at 3:55 PM, j-ten-ner said:

I consider the new "Gladiator" a fail.

Jeep could have nailed it if they had the balls to bring this concept truck into production.

I'd be all over it.

 

 

so long

j-ten-ner

THIS x 1000.  The Gladiator does nothing for me, but this truck has got it all going on.  

[Sierra Dan]

The hardcore Jeepsters will gladly hand over their hard earned 50-60k for one.

It is a novelty vehicle much like Hummer H2s and 3's  More of a status symbol than anything.

I see so many jeeps with large tires running down the road detailed out to the max with not a spec of dirt on them.

[BIGDOGx]

On 6/13/2019 at 3:20 PM, Sierra Dan said:

The hardcore Jeepsters will gladly hand over their hard earned 50-60k for one.

It is a novelty vehicle much like Hummer H2s and 3's  More of a status symbol than anything.

I see so many jeeps with large tires running down the road detailed out to the max with not a spec of dirt on them.

I watched a youtube review of this jeep vs. the zr2 bison and while the bison essentially was better in almost every facet you could tell they were jeep fans. Too me i wouldn't pay a nickel for that jeep as it is by a far margin the ugliest disproportionate land yacht on the road today, and unless you have ideal conditions" Like a pathway that a 747 can fit down " That jeep simply wouldn't fit on most off road trails. I don't count rolling through mud puddles and climbing over a boulder as off roading. Driving down trails that only snowmobiles and quads use is what i call off roading.

 

It is so oddly long and terrible looking it is going to take another 20-30 grand of aftermarket buys to make it look halfway decent imo. The Bison is essentially so much nicer looking and better performing along with being way more practical imo, only a huge jeep fanboy could come to the conclusion that the gladiator is a better choice between the two.

Edited August 23, 2019 by BIGDOGx

[Sierra Dan]

7 minutes ago, BIGDOGx said:

I watched a youtube review of this jeep vs. the zr2 bison and while the bison essentially was better in almost every facet you could tell they were jeep fans. Too me i wouldn't pay a nickel for that jeep as it is by a far margin the ugliest disproportionate land yacht on the road today, and unless you have ideal conditions" Like a pathway that a 747 can fit down " That jeep simply wouldn't fit on most off road trails. I don't count rolling through mud puddles and climbing over a boulder as off roading. Driving down trails that only snowmobiles and quads use is what i call off roading.

 

It is so oddly long and terrible looking it is going to take another 20-30 grand of aftermarket buys to make it look halfway decent imo. The Bison is essentially so much nicer looking and better performing along with being way more practical imo, only a huge jeep fanboy could come to the conclusion that the gladiator is a better choice between the two.

Not quite as ugly as the Pontiac Aztek, but close!  LOL

My point exactly. The thing is hideous for a modern vehicle. It looks like a 4 door version of the 70s Jeep Honcho  

[BIGDOGx]

4 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

Not quite as ugly as the Pontiac Aztek, but close!  LOL

My point exactly. The thing is hideous for a modern vehicle. It looks like a 4 door version of the 70s Jeep Honcho  

True the aztek is without question the ugliest duckling gm has ever produced imo, how they even sold one model to an actual paying customer is a testament to the salesman that sold it haha.

 

That Jeep though is so horribly long that i could almost see the frame flexing when they did the bump section at 35-40mph. The Bison handled it no sweat with the shocks that thing has on it.