We get behind the wheel of a third generation Jeep Wrangler and see if it is as robust as it seems.

The Jeep Wrangler is one of those cars that are different from the rest, that have that special "something" that makes you love it... or hate it. That is why its many lovers continue to adore it to this day, even though this Jeep has its peculiarities, for example, that water leaks inside when it rains.
side wrangler

Today, a Jeep Wrangler III with a mileage of about 130,000 kilometers can be found for about 13,000 euros on the second-hand market. It may come with halogen headlights as usual, but you can upgrade with led lights for Jeep Wrangler JK which are DOT or Emark approved.
Durable motors, but...

A completely new common rail diesel generation from Fiat subsidiary VM Motori works in the Wrangler JK. And hard. Even if the previous owner has fallen behind on timing belt changes, he won't kneel down.
wrangler engine

You just have to pay attention to the water temperature with this 2.8 CRD, especially when pulling a trailer. And it is that the Wrangler JK was not conceived as a towing vehicle by its American designers.
wrangler seats

Otherwise, the Wrangler rarely causes mechanical problems. Of course, the first 3.6 V6 petrol engines (2012/2013) have vulnerable cylinder heads, and therefore should be avoided. And check that the front axle guides are not worn, if you want a minimum level of precision when driving in a straight line.
wrangler roof

The plastic hardtop has removable parts. But the water gets inside through the many joints in the ceiling, and then it smells musty. Check it as follows: Is there rust on the veneer floor?
conclusion
Rear Wrangler

Bottom line: The third-generation Wrangler is as solid as it looks. But it needs good care to keep it from rusting, and its owner needs a good temper to withstand its many small shortcomings. For the rest, it is a robust car and a great companion to get off the asphalt... and have a blast.

The Jeep Wrangler recovers its pick-up version and not only for the United States. The Gladiator is already on sale in Europe and here we were waiting for you. Inside test drive!

As we anticipate here, the new generation of the Jeep Wrangler incorporates in its range, the widest and most diversified in recent years, this gigantic pick-up that responds to the name of Jeep Gladiator and that although it saw the light at the end of 2018 in the United States, it has just been put up for sale in Spain. Jeep Gladiator led headlights are the necessary offroad accessories in the market. Although we already had the opportunity to drive it briefly in 2019, specifically in San Martino di Castrozza, Trento –Italy–, now we have gotten behind the wheel again to offer you a much more detailed review of both its definitive technical characteristics and its range. and prices.
The Jeep Gladiator

Since 1947, the legendary Jeep Willys already had a pick-up version but it had to be in the year of the brand's 80th anniversary when a Jeep with this configuration was sold for the first time in Europe. The Gladiator denomination also has a tradition, although somewhat less. Jeep marketed a model with this name between 1962 and 1971 but later did not use it again until a concept with an extended cabin that surprised us in 2005.

Now this new Jeep Gladiator is more functional than its predecessors thanks to its four-door crew cab, based on the latest generation of the five-door Wrangler. Regarding this, it has 49 and 80 centimeters more wheelbase and length respectively. Specifically, the box offers a length of 1.53 meters and a maximum width of 1.44 (1.13 between the rear wheel arches) with a load capacity of 613 kilograms.

As for the interior, it is quite a Wrangler pick-up with an elongated platform with a touch of sophistication and almost luxury, as Jeep has taken care of the details and the equipment, with the standard 7-inch Uconnect multimedia system –8, 4'' as an option – and new features such as folding the backrest or the rear bench seat (the first ones down and the second ones up) to take advantage of the space in the cabin, full of hidden storage spaces. Only the Rubicon offers a front camera with a self-cleaning function, to better see obstacles on the road, which is unprecedented, but for now this variant will not reach Europe.

The driving aids are very numerous with blind spot control, rear cross traffic alert, rear camera and a front camera for off-road driving, adaptive cruise control and all the elements that are already common even in the most affordable models. In addition, as in the Wrangler, in the Gladiator everything is removable, doors, windshield and roof and the interior is washable with a hose.

Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator can include numerous detachable body elements.

Its off-road dimensions are also interesting and it is not in vain that we are facing a purebred Jeep. It has a ground clearance of 25.3 centimeters, an approach angle of 41 degrees, a ventral angle of 18.4º and the exit angle reaches 25º. These are valuable figures in a car with these characteristics, as is its wading capacity, which is up to 76 centimeters.

The transmission system and axles are the most robust, the same ones that are mounted on the Wrangler Rubicon, although it does not have the specific tires of the field or the front and rear differential locks or the system that releases the stabilizers to increase travel. free from suspension.

As in the Wrangler, the efficient transmission allows you to choose between rear-wheel drive, led lights for Jeep Gladiator should be installed, all-wheel drive with automatic 4x4 connection thanks to its central differential, 4x4 with 50% torque distribution on each axle and 4x4 with reduction gear.

The V6 engine is especially smooth, elastic and silent compared to the four-cylinder known until now in the Wrangler, in addition to the ease of use in these circumstances of the automatic transmission. We were able to make a short touchdown on a tricky off-road circuit where the Gladiator showed off its excellent skills in the most extreme situations despite its length and large rear overhang. The generous ground clearance with asphalt tires and the good adaptability of the suspensions.

Range and prices of the Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is for sale in two finishes: Overland, which already has complete equipment with a rear camera, 18-inch wheels or air conditioning –among others– and is on sale from 73,300 euros, and the Launch Edition for a limited time, with all the technological and comfort options, including leather upholstery or the Alpine sound system with eight speakers plus a wireless subwoofer that can be removed from its location behind the rear seat, for 78,800 euros.