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2020 Jeep Gladiator JT: Here’s What We Know
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will unveil its 2020 Jeep midsize pickup truck at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. The long-awaited truck is codenamed “JT” and will likely carry the model name Gladiator, according to leaked materials first reported on JeepGladiatorForum.com.
The new Jeep will introduce FCA to the compact pickup segment that includes the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and General Motors’ Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Ford will also enter its Ranger in 2019. Through October, sales of midsize pickups are up 20.3 percent compared with the same period last year, according to Autodata. FCA hopes to stake its claim with the highly anticipated new Jeep.
Here’s everything we know about the 2020 Jeep Gladiator JT pickup truck:
What is the 2020 Gladiator based on?
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator JT will be heavily based on the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL. Only four-door, crew cab versions have been seen in development, indicating the Gladiator shares its frame with the four-door Wrangler Unlimited.
Some body panels will likely be made of aluminum in order to save weight. The Wrangler JL has doors, fenders and other panels made of aluminum.
The Gladiator JT is heavily based on the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL. (Photo: Brian Williams/Trucks.com)
What trim options will the 2020 Gladiator have?
Models will be available in a range of trims including a base version called the Sport, a new Overland level and the iconic off-road Rubicon. Base trims will come with 18-inch wheels and 255-millimeter-wide tires. The Gladiator Rubicon will share the Wrangler JL Rubicon’s 17-inch wheels and 33-inch tires that measure 285 millimeters in width.
What design features will the 2020 Gladiator have?
Design features will mostly mimic the Wrangler JL. The circular headlights, upright taillights and vertical slats in the front grille are nearly identical. Of course, one major difference is the addition of a pickup box for hauling.
The Gladiator will come with a hardtop roof. Spy photos show it also could offer the optional retractable soft top or power sliding top seen in the Wrangler JL. The interior will likely be similar to the Wrangler JL’s, with an eight-inch touchscreen powered by FCA’s UConnect infotainment system.
What engine choices will the 2020 Gladiator have?
FCA’s familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offers 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Available options could include a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a hybrid system and a turbodiesel to come later. A six-speed manual transmission could be available as well.
What off-road ability will the 2020 Gladiator have?
The Gladiator pickup will keep the robust ladder frame and solid axles found in the Wrangler JL. The strong base coupled with good approach and departure angles ensure capability away from the pavement. The Rubicon trim with larger, upgraded tires is sure to excite off-roaders.
Where will the 2020 Gladiator be built?
It will be built at FCA’s Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio, alongside the Wrangler JL.
When will the 2020 Gladiator go on sale?
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator JT is expected to go on sale in early 2019.
