The idea behind the Jeep Gladiator is simple. It offers the off-road capabilities of the iconic Wrangler but in pickup form. While the styling might look like it’s just a Wrangler with a pickup box stuck on the back, the Gladiator comes with a wheelbase that’s 19.4 inches longer than the Wrangler, different powertrain options, and a much higher towing capacity. This is the vehicle for when you have a lot of cargo that has to go off-road with you. That’s because the Gladiator is just as much a serious pickup as it is a serious off-roader, with a max towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, a max payload capacity of 1,725 pounds, and the fact that the Gladiator can do this while also being one of the best off-road vehicles on the market is the very definition of versatility.

The Gladiator is the world’s first Trail Rated® pickup, a new kind of vehicle for Jeep but one that is imbued with everything that makes Jeep vehicles so great. You get the superb Rock-Trac® 4×4 System that carried the Wrangler to icon status along with a maximum fording depth of 31.5 inches. It is offered with a ground clearance of up to 11.1 inches, making it easy to clear obstacles and the high level of articulation keeps all four wheels planted even when on even ground. The available front and rear Tru-Lok® Electronic Locking Differentials help to make sure the power goes to where it’s needed on rough terrain while steel rock rails protect the underside of your Gladiator, both the body and the bed. On top of all of this, the Gladiator Mojave is the only Desert Rated Jeep vehicle, specially tuned for the heat and low-traction challenges unique to this sort of harsh environment.

Much of the greatness packed into the Jeep Gladiator is pretty straightforward. Heavy-duty suspension, big off-road tires, and four driven wheels aren’t exactly revolutionary off-road technology. But what puts the Gladiator over the top is that Jeep built on this with technology that really is at the forefront. That means you have options like a forward-facing TrailCam, which displays what is right in front of your wheels on the Uconnect® touchscreen, making it easier to negotiate obstacles. Selec-Speed® Control holds the Gladiator at a consistent speed under especially difficult off-road situations, something that is extremely difficult for even the most experienced human drivers to accomplish. Lastly, the Gladiator also comes with an 8-speaker stereo, more than the other pickups in this segment, and there is an available 552-watt Alpine® Premium Audio System with 9 speakers and a 12-channel amplifier.