2024 Jeep Gladiator Arrives With Fresh Face, New Trims, And Mega Tech Upgrade

• EcoDiesel engine dropped, Pentastar V6 is the sole engine option
• Subtle styling revisions inspired by Wrangler 20th Anniversary Edition
• 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 introduces more features
• New Mojave X and Rubicon X trims join the lineup
• Increased active and passive safety features

Jeep has whipped the covers off the updated 2024 Gladiator, the automaker's sole pickup truck offering, at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show. With subtly revised exterior styling, new trim levels, and more safety equipment than before, the rugged Gladiator has been suitably refreshed for the new model year.

Beginning with powertrains, the EcoDiesel engine has been discontinued for 2024. That leaves the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as the only engine lineup. It delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with plenty of punch available at the lower end of the rev range. This makes it great for all sorts of activities, such as towing a trailer or traversing rocky inclines. A 4xe plug-in hybrid version is still in the pipeline, but will not join the roster for 2024.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but buyers can specify an optional eight-speed automatic as well. With the manual 'box, the Gladiator boasts a claimed best-in-class crawl ratio of 84:1. For the automatic, the crawl ratio sits at 77:1.

Jeep hasn't tampered with the Gladiator's iconic styling too much. The seven-slot grille has been redesigned with black textured slots, metallic grey bezels, and a body-colored surround. Willys models receive gloss black slots and bezels. This revision isn't merely aesthetic, as the redesigned slots improve engine cooling. Similar upgrades were applied to the Wrangler earlier this year.

The Gladiator gets rid of its outdated steel mast antenna. In its place is a windshield-integrated antenna that gives the truck a more modern appearance and prevents the vehicle from brushing against branches while exploring tight trails.

Also new for 2024 are seven new wheel designs, which can be paired with tires ranging from 32 to 33 inches in size. A new premium soft-top is standard, although customers can opt for a hardtop finished in black or the body color. Multiple top, door, and windshield combos exist, meaning customers can create dozens of unique configurations.

Nine exterior colors are available, with Anvil (grey) being the only new hue added for 2024.

Inside, the Gladiator benefits from a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, the largest and most sophisticated ever fitted to the truck. With Uconnect 5 software, operating speeds are now five times faster. An Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates (OTA) make the interface more straightforward to use than before.

Features such as wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are carried over from last year, but there are several new features customers can look forward to. Bluetooth connectivity for two phones, five unique user profiles, over-the-air map updates, and Jeep Adventure Guides now form part of the comprehensive system, offering 62 off-roading trails nationwide.

The voice recognition system has also been improved and uses seven-microphone array technology to pick up commands within the cabin. The instrumental panel now features a soft-touch finish, giving the cabin a more upmarket feel. Standard specification has also been improved across the lineup, from the base Sport to the new Rubicon X.

The Rubicon X is one of two new models added to the MY2024 Gladiator range, the other being the Mojave X. Arguably the most capable models of the range, both are kitted out with a host of accessories that enhance off-road prowess and luxury. The Rubicon receives heavy-duty third-generation Dana 44 axles at the front and rear and Tru-Lok front and rear locking differentials.

There's also an electronic front sway-bar disconnect and full-time torque management courtesy of the Rock-Trac four-wheel drive system. 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires are standard.

If you prefer hitting the dunes rather than the trails, the Mojave's Fox 2.5-inch bypass shocks and Fox front hydraulic jounce bumpers (which act as a second pair of shocks) should bowl you over. The suspension has been specially tuned for high-speed desert exploration, allowing owners to skip over the sand confidently.

Rubicon X and Mojave X derivatives receive a full-time transfer case, steel bumpers (front and rear), and an integrated off-road camera. The underbody is protected with three skid plates and additional steel rock rails for the bed corners.

Jeep also offers three upfit packages (Upcountry, Upcountry+, and Level II) from American Expedition Vehicles, aimed at making these vehicles even more capable off-road. We've touched on this in a separate article.

On the safety front, the Gladiator has taken a big step forward. For 2024, first- and second-row side curtain airbags are standard on all models, along with second-row outboard seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Furthermore, Jeep has made structural improvements to the Gladiator for superior protection in side-impact collision.

Active safety has also been enhanced. All models (except the entry-level Sport) receive forward collision warning and advanced cruise control. The plusher Mojave X and Rubicon X derivatives receive standard blind-spot assist, cross-path detection, and rear park assistance. These features are available optionally on the Sport S, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon grades.

If you're interested, order books for the 2024 Gladiator are now open. The first vehicles are expected to hit American Jeep dealerships before year-end, with pricing to be announced closer to the time.