Diesel Power Predictably Lands in the Jeep Gladiator
There’s plenty of things Americans can’t get their hands on these days — hand sanitizer, inexpensive front-drive coupes, and a predictable future, to name a few — but those dreaming of the chance to drive a four-door convertible pickup powered by a compression-ignition engine haven’t long to wait before seeing their wish granted.
As many assumed Jeep would, the off-road brand is adding the 3.0-liter diesel V6 to its Gladiator engine roster for 2021.
Appearing in the Wrangler Unlimited for 2020, the 3.0L EcoDiesel returns improved fuel economy without the trade-off of clatter and smoke seen with diesels of yore. In the four-door Wrangler, the 260-horse, 442 lb-ft EcoDiesel has earned a fair bit of praise for both its pull and efficiency.
“Before we introduced Gladiator, one of the most common questions consumers asked us was, ‘Will you please offer a Jeep truck?,’ followed closely by, ‘Will it be offered with a diesel engine?’” said Jim Morrison, Jeep’s hard-rocking North American brand head, in a statement. “While we know the answer to the first question, I’m pleased to answer the second with a resounding, ‘Yes!’.”
Appearing this winter, the 3.0L, mated only to an eight-speed automatic, greets buyers of the base Gladiator Sport, mid-range Overland, and uplevel Rubicon in the third quarter of 2020. Jeep’s already taking orders.
Pricing wasn’t forthcoming on Friday, though the diesel engine option carries a $4,000 price tag for buyers of the Wrangler Unlimited.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
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Can I get it in 2-door, extended (not crew) cab, medium-wheelbase form, with a long bed? No? Oh, OK. Guess you just sunk yourselves in the midsize truck stakes as far as I'm concerned. Hey, Jeep - things like this are why I'm not likely to be a repeat buyer. You'd figured it out with the diesel MJ Comanche 30-plus years ago, so it's clearly within your capabilities to do it again. But you're not. I realise that you don't care because you're now a Lifestyle Brand as opposed to a marque, and some dudebro with the ability to find the nearest 4 Wheel Parts to the dealership he's going to drive this out of is your target buyer, but you could at least throw us a bone. Signed, Your friendly local KJ CRD owner looking for a decent upgrade path.
The Gladiator is overpriced but that is typical of the entire Wrangler platform. The Gladiator costs as much as a PowerWagon. A Colorado is significantly lower priced.