The Award-Winning Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is one of the new additions to the Jeep family. Essentially a combination of the popular Wrangler and a pickup truck, Gladiator was an instant hit.

 Here are some things to know about the award-winning Jeep Gladiator. 

2020 North American Truck of the Year

We might as well start off with the heavy-hitting titles. The Jeep Gladiator, true to its name, came out swinging right out of the gate by winning the 2020 North American Truck of the Year. This is one of the most prestigious awards that can be given to a truck. In order to win, the Gladiator had to come out ahead of big names such as the Ford Ranger and F-150, as well as the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. 

There’s no use in mincing words here. The Jeep Gladiator’s ability to win North American Truck of the Year right off the bat is a massive feat. It shows how impressed the judges were by the vehicle’s ability to hold classic Jeep appeal, while also delivering the benefits of being a truck. It’s not surprising when you start digging into some of the specs of this awesome vehicle. These are a few of the most significant performance and comfort features:

• 4,000 lbs. of standard towing capacity, with up to 7,650 lbs. when properly equipped. This is the perfect hybridization between an SUV and a truck. 
• Freedom roof panels allow you to switch between a hardtop and roof panels depending on your needs. The freedom roof panels on the Gladiator are also lighter than those of other models, which makes switching them in and out far easier. 
• Off-road capabilities aren’t compromised, as the Gladiator is based upon its rough and tumble cousin, the Wrangler. 
• Interior features are designed to be both practical and comfortable. The available heated front seats and steering wheel, along with plush surfaces make riding in the Gladiator surprisingly serene. 

What Are Some Other Awards for the Jeep Gladiator?

While the 2020 North American Truck of the Year award was certainly massive; that was just one of many accolades won by the Gladiator thus far. Here are a few more awards and recognitions that have put this Jeep truck on the radar of potential buyers:

• Car and Driver “10 Best Cars and Trucks for 2020”
• Best Mid-Sized Pickup Truck
• Autotrader’s “Best 15 Cars of the Decade”
• 12 Best New Cars for 2020
• 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000
• Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year
• GAAMA “Best Family Pickup Truck” 

Without even going into a fully exhaustive list, it’s clear the Jeep Gladiator has garnered a ton of praise during its short time in production. A few of these other awards are pretty significant in their own right. For instance, being on the Car and Driver “10 Best Cars and Trucks for 2020” list is high praise indeed. But even more impressive than that might be making Autotrader’s “Best 15 Cars of the Decade” list.

For starters, both of these awards go above and beyond the Gladiator’s mid-size truck category. To be one of the best cars, period, is saying a lot. This is especially the case when looking at a list compiling all the best cars for the entire decade, particularly from a respectable source like Autotrader. 

At the same time, part of the appeal of the Jeep Gladiator is the fact it’s so much more than just a truck. Yes, it has a bed and solid towing capacity—the things you typically need to see from such a vehicle. But it’s also a Jeep in the way that it brings a sense of fun and excitement to every drive—even if it’s just down the block. 

Because the Jeep Gladiator is breaking the rules of what it means to be a truck, an SUV, and even a Jeep, it makes perfect sense people are giving it high praise. The best way to understand why the Jeep Gladiator is getting all these awards is to try driving one yourself.