Best Jeep Gladiator Model Years (Ranked)

The Jeep Gladiator (JT) is the only open-air, body-on-frame midsize pickup with removable doors and roof, blending Wrangler off-road DNA with a real 5-foot truck bed. Because it's a young nameplate that launched for 2020, ranking it means looking at each model year and the specific trims and powertrain configurations that matter most, since the best Gladiator for you depends heavily on whether you want maximum capability, the best value, towing, or fuel economy.

This ranking covers the Gladiator years, trims, and engines worth buying, with real specs, the common issues, and used-value ranges.

Direct Answer

The best overall used Jeep Gladiator is the 2021-2023 Rubicon with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 — it pairs the proven engine, the well-sorted 8-speed automatic, and the full off-road arsenal of factory lockers and a disconnecting sway bar with build quality refined past the rough first year.

The best value is the 2020-2021 Sport S with the 3.6L V6, which delivers the same removable-top truck experience and strong capability for thousands less than a Rubicon. Buyers who tow should target a V6 with the Max Tow package, while the diesel and the rare 392 are specialist picks.

1. 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (3.6L Pentastar V6) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

The Rubicon is the Gladiator at its most capable, and the 2021-2023 years are the sweet spot after Jeep sorted the first-year bugs. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 makes 285 hp and 260 lb-ft, paired with the smooth, proven 8-speed automatic (a 6-speed manual is also available). The Rubicon adds the serious hardware: front and rear Dana 44 axles with electronic lockers, a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case, an electronic front sway-bar disconnect, 33-inch tires, and rock rails.

It crawls trails out of the box that lesser trucks need modification to attempt, while still hauling in its 5-foot bed and seating five. Removable doors, roof, and fold-down windshield keep the open-air appeal. Clean examples run $33,000-$45,000.

If you want the most capable open-air pickup, the V6 Rubicon is the one.

2. 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S (3.6L Pentastar V6) 💎 BEST VALUE

The Sport S is the value-buy Gladiator. It uses the same 3.6L Pentastar V6 (285 hp) and 8-speed automatic as the pricier trims, comes with removable doors and roof and the fold-down windshield, and retains genuine off-road capability with its solid axles and part-time 4WD. What you give up versus the Rubicon is the factory lockers, sway-bar disconnect, and the heavy off-road kit — features many buyers never use.

In return you save thousands: clean Sport S examples are commonly $26,000-$36,000. Add the optional Max Tow package and it becomes a capable little hauler. For buyers who want the open-air truck experience without paying the Rubicon premium, the V6 Sport S is the smart-money pick.

3. 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator Mojave (3.6L Pentastar V6)

The Mojave is the Gladiator built for high-speed desert running rather than rock crawling. It earned a unique Desert Rated badge and adds Fox internal-bypass shocks, hydraulic jounce bumpers, a reinforced frame, a one-inch front lift, and 33-inch tires for soaking up whoops and washboard at speed.

It keeps a rear locker and the 4:1 transfer case but swaps the Rubicon's slow-crawl focus for desert composure. With the 3.6L V6 and 8-speed, it's a distinctive, capable truck. It ranks behind the Rubicon only because its specialty suits fewer buyers — most off-roaders crawl more than they pre-run.

Clean Mojaves run $34,000-$45,000. If you live near open desert or want the unique high-speed setup, the Mojave is excellent.

4. 2024 Jeep Gladiator (Refreshed, 3.6L V6)

The 2024 refresh brought updated styling, a much-improved interior with the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment and a larger screen, standard side curtain airbags, and other equipment upgrades, making it the most-refined Gladiator yet. It carries the proven 3.6L Pentastar V6 across the lineup after the diesel and 392 were dropped.

It ranks fourth purely on cost and used availability: as the newest model it commands the highest prices, typically $38,000-$52,000, and the used pool is small. Mechanically it's the same well-sorted truck as the 2021-2023 cars with a nicer cabin. If you want the newest Gladiator with the best interior and don't mind paying top dollar, the 2024 is the pick.

5. 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator (3.6L V6 with Max Tow)

For buyers who actually tow, the Gladiator configured with the Max Tow package is the one to find. Properly equipped, a V6 Gladiator tows up to about 7,650 lbs — the most of any midsize pickup of its era — thanks to a heavier-duty rear axle, upgraded cooling, and revised gearing.

It's usually found on Sport and Overland trims rather than the off-road-focused Rubicon. The trade-off is that Max Tow trucks ride a bit firmer and the off-road articulation is slightly reduced. Clean Max Tow examples run $30,000-$42,000 depending on trim.

If hauling a trailer or boat is the priority and you want the open-air truck character, seek out a Max Tow V6.

6. 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland (3.6L V6)

The Overland is the comfort-and-equipment trim, positioned between the Sport and the off-road models. It adds body-color fender flares, larger wheels, nicer interior materials, available leather, and more standard tech, while keeping the 3.6L V6, the 8-speed, and solid off-road capability.

It's the trim to choose if you want a Gladiator that leans daily-driver and road-trip comfortable rather than hardcore trail rig, and it pairs well with the Max Tow package. It ranks here because it costs more than a Sport S without the Rubicon's serious hardware. Clean Overlands run $30,000-$40,000.

For buyers who prioritize comfort and equipment over rock-crawling kit, the Overland is a well-rounded choice.

7. 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel (3.0L Turbo-Diesel V6)

The EcoDiesel option, offered for a few years, swapped in a 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 making 260 hp and a stout 442 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Gladiator's low-end pulling power and crawling ability while improving highway fuel economy to the low-to-mid 20s. The torque is genuinely useful off-road and for steady towing.

It ranks lower because the diesel adds significant complexity and cost, parts and service are pricier, the emissions system (DEF, DPF) requires upkeep, and it was only paired with the automatic. Clean diesel Gladiators run $36,000-$48,000. For buyers who value torque and fuel economy and will maintain the diesel properly, it's a compelling but specialist choice.

8. 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport (3.6L V6, Base)

The base 2020 Sport is the cheapest way into a Gladiator. It has the same 3.6L V6 and removable top and doors, but in stripped form with steel wheels, manual windows and locks, and minimal equipment. It's an honest work-and-play truck for buyers who don't want to pay for features they won't use, and the bones — solid axles, real 4WD, the 5-foot bed — are all there.

It ranks lower because the base equipment and first-model-year status mean it's the least refined and least comfortable, and the 2020 cars carry the most first-year build complaints. Clean base Sports run $24,000-$32,000. For a budget-focused buyer who values capability over comfort, the base Sport works.

9. 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator 392 / High Altitude (Special Editions)

Jeep sold several distinctive special editions, including the limited Rubicon 392-inspired and High Altitude packages that added unique paint, badging, premium interiors, and upgraded equipment on top of the V6 (the full 470-hp 6.4L 392 V8 was a Wrangler exclusive, not a regular Gladiator option).

These trims are about appearance and equipment rather than added capability, and they command premiums of $40,000-$55,000 for clean examples. They rank low for value-focused buyers because you pay extra largely for cosmetics. If you specifically want a loaded, distinctive-looking Gladiator and the resale appeal of a special edition, these are worth seeking out.

10. 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (First-Year, 3.6L V6)

The launch-year 2020 Rubicon has all the capability hardware — Dana 44 axles, electronic lockers, the 4:1 transfer case, and the sway-bar disconnect — but as the very first Gladiators built, the 2020 cars carry the most reported first-year niggles: minor electronics, interior rattles, and assorted teething issues that later years resolved.

They're also the highest-mileage Rubicons now. They rank last among the desirable configs because a 2021-2023 Rubicon costs little more and is meaningfully better sorted. Clean 2020 Rubicons run $30,000-$40,000.

Only choose a 2020 Rubicon over a later one if the price gap is large and the specific truck has a clean, well-documented service history.

What to Watch For When Buying

The Gladiator shares much with the JL Wrangler, so the death wobble steering shimmy can appear — test at highway speed and inspect the track bar, ball joints, tie-rod ends, and steering stabilizer; budget for front-end refresh parts. First-year 2020 trucks carry the most reported electronics gremlins, interior rattles, and assorted teething complaints, so favor 2021+ where possible.

On EcoDiesel models, confirm the emissions system (DEF tank, DPF) is healthy and maintained, as diesel repairs are costly. Because the top and doors are removable, check for water leaks and interior mildew — inspect carpets and footwells. Verify any aftermarket lift was installed with proper geometry correction, since improper lifts cause death wobble and premature wear.

Finally, inspect the bed and frame for rust or impact damage on trucks used for real work, and confirm the 4WD and any factory lockers engage properly.

How to Choose

Match the configuration to your real use. If you genuinely crawl hard trails, buy a 2021-2023 Rubicon for its factory lockers and disconnecting sway bar. If you want the open-air truck experience at the best price, the Sport S V6 gives you most of the capability for less.

If you tow regularly, prioritize a V6 with the Max Tow package for the class-leading 7,650-lb rating. If you run open desert at speed, the Mojave's Fox shocks are unmatched. If you value torque and highway fuel economy and will maintain a diesel, the EcoDiesel is compelling.

Comfort-focused buyers should look at the Overland, and special editions suit those who want a distinctive, loaded truck. In all cases, favor 2021+ build years and a clean service history over chasing the lowest price.

FAQ

Which Gladiator year should I buy? Favor 2021-2023 models, which resolved most of the first-year (2020) build issues and use the well-sorted 8-speed automatic and proven 3.6L V6. The 2024 refresh has the nicest interior but costs the most. A 2020 only makes sense if the price gap is large and the history is clean.

How much can a Jeep Gladiator tow? Properly equipped with the Max Tow package, a V6 Gladiator tows up to about 7,650 lbs, the most in its midsize-truck class of the era. Off-road-focused trims like the Rubicon tow less. Always check the specific truck's configuration and payload sticker.

Is the EcoDiesel worth it? For buyers who tow steadily, crawl slowly, or want better highway mpg, the 3.0L diesel's 442 lb-ft of torque is genuinely useful and returns low-to-mid 20s on the highway. But it adds cost, complexity, and emissions-system upkeep, so it only pays off if you'll keep it maintained and use the torque.

What's the difference between the Rubicon and Mojave? The Rubicon is built for slow, technical rock crawling with electronic lockers, a 4:1 transfer case, and a sway-bar disconnect. The Mojave is built for high-speed desert running with Fox bypass shocks, hydraulic jounce bumpers, and a Desert Rated badge.

Choose by the terrain you actually drive.

Bottom Line

The 2021-2023 Gladiator Rubicon with the 3.6L V6 is the best overall used choice — maximally capable, well-built, and refined past the first-year bugs. The Sport S V6 is the value play for the open-air truck experience, a Max Tow V6 is the answer for towing, and the Mojave and EcoDiesel are excellent specialist picks for desert running and torque-plus-economy.

Avoid paying special-edition premiums unless you want the looks, and favor 2021+ build years over the launch-year 2020 trucks. Inspect for death wobble, water leaks, and proper lifts, and a well-chosen Gladiator delivers a truck experience nothing else on the market matches.

Sources

• Jeep Gladiator (JT) — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Gladiator
• Jeep official Gladiator page: https://www.jeep.com/gladiator.html
• Chrysler Pentastar engine — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Pentastar_engine
• VM Motori 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VM_Motori
• Jeep Wrangler (JL) — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Wrangler_(JL)
• Jeep brand — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep
• Mid-size pickup truck — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-size_truck
• ZF 8HP transmission — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission