THE Jeep Gladiator Rubicon- Standard did turnheads in my village in Bokone Bophirima.
From oohs and aahs and congratulatory messages, it shows the Jeep brand does still resonate amongst the masses. It was launched in 2025 in the SA market as a reconfigured model.
Delivered in ‘brown 41 colour’ or better still ‘army colour’ as one of the guest’s at the wedding remarked, this pick up Double Cab, and believe it or not- consumes petrol instead of diesel- a relief for me with diesel having gone up, but thankfully, I only visited the garage en-route back from NW.
It means I had to be acceleration sensitive- so they say.
Standing at 281mm ground clearance and wading depth of 800mm, this ‘big truck’ has been sporty refreshed with 7 lot-grille with slimmer openings, 17inch alloy wheels (damaged my ground) wrapped in chunky all terrain tyres, integrated radio antenna built into the screen, and color coaded hardtops.
Now you understand what I got myself into, as some called names such as ‘pikinini’ owing to this truck Rubicon.
As for taller passengers it would not be ideal- legroom is minimal.
My aunt- not the tallest- and cousin (who has a stroke) struggled to enter this ‘titan’ but when they did eventually, after helping out, were confronted by Jeep’s latest 12.3 inch touchscreen with wireless AppleCar play, and Android Auto, so were intuitive interface and physical climate and volume controls and additional ports at the back seat.
Gladiator has power steering, stability control and traction control, anti-lock braking system ABS, cruise control, remote central locking and tyre pressure sensor/ monitor/ deflation detection system.
Interior and adjustable driver and passenger leather seats are heated, and has six safety airbags.
The power is derived from 3.6l V6 Pentastar petrol engine that produced 209kw and 353Nm and the drive is sent through an auto 8 speed gearbox.
Fuel claimed 674km fuel range -12.3L/100km average at the time of test.
This Gladiator, surely has stormed into the competitive mzansi bakkie market with its iconic off-road pedigree and upgraded specs.
The ruggedness and power associated with the 3.6 Rubicon shines in raw capability- and as for off-road following the rain, showed prowess and afforded me time to fiddle with other buttons-rear and front that allowed it to settle on the mud- thanks to its 255/75 R17 all-terrain tyres and its ‘41 brown’ colour.
Ja- at first the leather steering made my arms to sweat a bit; but thereafter it was seamless. From afar it does look intimidating but gradually YOU settle in.
For adventure seekers, the Gladiator’s removable roof and doors add unmatched versatility- unfortunately did not remove any due to cold weather, wet weather!
Kiddies took snaps of the little yellow duck emblazoned on both right and left side of it.
Priced from R1. 427. 900
It comes with a 5-year warranty backed by a 3-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (9)
Fuel 1-10 (6)
Image SLM (The rugged Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 3.6 did turnheads in NW.)
