Jeep Gladiator NZ price and spec confirmed

Friday, 12 June 2020

Watch: a fleet of left-hand drive Jeep Gladiators take over Central Otago for the model's international media launch.

Jeep New Zealand has confirmed details for the local Gladiator range, due here in August.

The two models available will consist of the Overland and Rubicon, the latter being the go for those wanting a truly serious off-roader.

Pricing for the Overland starts at $89,990 while the Rubicon kicks off at $92,990. Both source power from Jeep's 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Sorry diesel fans, there's nothing for you here.

The Gladiator is certainly a capable machine for going off the beaten path, as we found out last year.

Overland uses a Selec-Trac 4x4 system while the Rubicon gets the Rock-Trac On-Demand kit which features heavy-duty axles at both ends, Fox shocks and an electronic disconnect for the sway bar, as well as a super low ratio for crawling. Rubicon models also get an 'Off Road+' drive mode.

**READ MORE:

It has a longer wheelbase than the Wrangler and more sophisticated rear suspension. Can it beat out the Ranger Raptor though?

* First drive review: Jeep Gladiator

* Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one of the most capable 4x4s ever: we get it stuck

* Road test review: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JL Overland

* Enter the Gladiator: Jeep is back in the Ute game

Standard Gladiator kit includes adaptive cruise with stop/go function, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic detection and removable “Freedom” hard top. There's also the forward-facing TrailCam, selectably tyre-fill alert and extra black body cladding.

Compared to the Wrangler on which it's based, the Gladiator has a longer wheelbase by 479mm and more sophisticated five-link rear suspension. Additionally, Jeep says a full range of Mopar accessories will be available from launch in New Zealand.

Comparisons will no doubt be made to the Ranger Raptor, which starts at $84,990, particularly with the Rubicon Gladiator. Ford's ultimate off-roader has a slightly larger payload (758kg vs 620kg) but loses out on braked towing (2500kg vs 2721kg) to Jeep's offering.

When we drove it back in January, we found the ute is more polished on-road than its Wrangler sibling. Off-road? Still phenomenal.

If you're interested, Jeep is taking orders now across the country, with first deliveries expected in August.