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Which Jeep Gladiator Trim Is Right For You: Gladiator Vs Gladiator Rubicon

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • This is a significant price difference, but it’s important to remember that the Gladiator Rubicon comes with a number of features that are not available on the Gladiator.
  • The Gladiator Rubicon comes with a number of features that are not available on the Gladiator, such as leather seats, heated front seats, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, and a sunroof.
  • The Gladiator Rubicon has a few features that give it an edge in terms of off-road capability, such as a Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and Tru-Lok locking differentials, a higher ground clearance, and a disconnecting sway bar.

The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are two of the most popular off-road vehicles on the market. Both vehicles are known for their ruggedness, capability, and versatility. However, there are some key differences between the two models that make them better suited for different types of drivers.

In this blog post, we’ll compare the Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon head-to-head to help you decide which one is the right choice for you. We’ll cover everything from price and features to performance and off-road capability.

Performance

The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are both powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both models also come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, although an eight-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

In terms of performance, the Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are very similar. Both vehicles can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7 seconds. However, the Gladiator Rubicon has a slight edge in terms of towing and payload capacity. It can tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul up to 1,700 pounds, while the Gladiator can only tow up to 7,000 pounds and haul up to 1,600 pounds.

Off-Road Capability

The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are both very capable off-road vehicles. However, the Gladiator Rubicon has a few features that give it an edge in this area.

For starters, the Gladiator Rubicon comes standard with a Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and Tru-Lok locking differentials. The Gladiator only comes standard with a Command-Trac 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case.

The Gladiator Rubicon also has a higher ground clearance than the Gladiator, at 11.1 inches compared to 10.8 inches. This gives it a better approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle.

Finally, the Gladiator Rubicon comes with a disconnecting sway bar, which allows the wheels to move independently and provides better articulation over rough terrain. The Gladiator does not have a disconnecting sway bar.

Features

The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon come with a variety of features that make them comfortable and convenient to drive. These features include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Power windows and locks
  • Cruise control
  • A touchscreen infotainment system
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • A backup camera

The Gladiator Rubicon also comes with a few additional features that are not available on the Gladiator, such as:

  • Leather seats
  • Heated front seats
  • A nine-speaker Alpine audio system
  • A sunroof

Price

The Jeep Gladiator starts at $33,545, while the Gladiator Rubicon starts at $43,545. This is a significant price difference, but it’s important to remember that the Gladiator Rubicon comes with a number of features that are not available on the Gladiator.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are both great vehicles, but they are best suited for different types of drivers. The Gladiator is a more affordable option that is still very capable off-road. The Gladiator Rubicon is a more expensive option, but it comes with a number of features that make it the ultimate off-road vehicle.

If you’re looking for a vehicle that is affordable and still capable off-road, the Jeep Gladiator is the right choice for you. If you’re looking for a vehicle that is the ultimate off-road machine, the Gladiator Rubicon is the right choice for you.

What Are the Differences Between the Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon?

The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are similar in many ways, but there are a few key differences between the two models. These differences include:

  • Price: The Gladiator starts at $33,545, while the Gladiator Rubicon starts at $43,545.
  • Features: The Gladiator Rubicon comes with a number of features that are not available on the Gladiator, such as leather seats, heated front seats, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, and a sunroof.
  • Off-Road Capability: The Gladiator Rubicon has a few features that give it an edge in terms of off-road capability, such as a Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and Tru-Lok locking differentials, a higher ground clearance, and a disconnecting sway bar.

Which One Is Better for Off-Roading?

The Gladiator Rubicon is the better choice for off-roading. It has a number of features that give it an edge in this area, such as a Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and Tru-Lok locking differentials, a higher ground clearance, and a disconnecting sway bar.

Which One Is Better for Towing and Hauling?

The Gladiator Rubicon has a slight edge in terms of towing and payload capacity. It can tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul up to 1,700 pounds, while the Gladiator can only tow up to 7,000 pounds and haul up to 1,600 pounds.

Which One Is More Fuel-Efficient?

The Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon have similar fuel economy ratings. The Gladiator gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, while the Gladiator Rubicon gets an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: What is the difference between the Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon?

A: The Jeep Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon are similar in many ways, but there are a few key differences between the two models. These differences include price, features, and off-road capability.

Q: Which one is better for off-roading?

A: The Gladiator Rubicon is the better choice for off-roading. It has a number of features that give it an edge in this area, such as a Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a low-range transfer case and Tru-Lok locking differentials, a higher ground clearance, and a disconnecting sway bar.

Q: Which one is better for towing and hauling?

A: The Gladiator Rubicon has a slight edge in terms of towing and payload capacity. It can tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul up to 1,700 pounds, while the Gladiator can only tow up to 7,000 pounds and haul up to 1,600 pounds.

Q: Which one is more fuel-efficient?

A: The Gladiator and Gladiator Rubicon have similar fuel economy ratings. The Gladiator gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, while the Gladiator Rubicon gets an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

Q: What are the pros and cons of the Jeep Gladiator?

A: The pros of the Jeep Gladiator include its ruggedness, capability, and versatility. The cons of the Gladiator include its price, fuel economy, and lack of some features.

Q: What are the pros and cons of the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon?

A: The pros of the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon include its off-road capability, features, and towing and hauling capacity. The cons of the Rubicon include its price, fuel economy, and lack of some features.

Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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