Jeep Gladiator to reach Philippines shores soon

MANILA: If you’re torn between buying the all-new Jeep Wrangler or a top-of-the-line pick up like the Ford Ranger Raptor or Nissan Navara, Jeep Philippines just made the choice easier for you. The Jeep Gladiator is coming to the Philippines by mid-2020.

Just to brush up on the Jeep line, the 2020 Gladiator picks up from where the Comanche—the brand's last cargo-bed-carrying model left off way back in the early ‘90s. The Gladiator lineup comes in four variants: Sport, Sport S, Overland and Rubicon. Though there is no word yet as to which variants are coming to our shores, taking a cue from the current local Wrangler range offerings, we might get either the Sport or Rubicon variant (or even both).

The current Jeep pick-up also features four-door cab but compared with the regular Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator is longer by 31 inches and has an extra 19.4 inches between the front and rear wheels. The longer dimension not only increases interior passenger space but also improves the ride and handling when carrying cargo. The 5-ft all-steel cargo bed is rigged with a three-position tailgate and LED cargo lighting.

There is also a 115-volt/400-watt power outlet at the rear of the bed which could come in handy for charging gadgets and small appliances so you still enjoy some convenience while braving the outdoors. A set of 17- inch black steel wheels come standard on the Sport variant while a 17- inch granite crystal aluminum wheels with a polished edge come standard on the Rubicon.

Inside, the Gladiator boasts of tech fit for the adventurer in you. The Jeep pick-up comes with a voice-activated Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display which allows you to navigate without having to take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road, answer phone calls, and control the entertainment features.

It is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are also neat storage options for smartphones inside the cabin and compartment hidden under the back seat ideal for storing tools. Top-of-the-line Rubicon comes with leather-trimmed seats with dashboards and interior sides also wrapped in leather with accent stitching that screams mainly luxury.

Safety features for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator include blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with active braking, rear cross-path detection, rear backup camera, and rear park assist.

Under the hood, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is powered by either a gas or diesel engine. The gasoline 3.6-liter V-6 engine is capable of producing 288 hp of maximum power and 352 Nm of peak torque. The diesel 3.0-liter V-6 delivers 263 hp of power and 600 Nm of peak torque. Both engines can be partnered to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic.

If you are looking to owning one, better register Jeep Philippines' website to make sure you get first dibs when the 2020 Jeep Gladiator reaches PH shores.

Also read: Jeep brings out 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys, Black & Tan editions