2023 Jeep Gladiator Mojave Video, Review, And Pricing

By: Joshua Lee
August 3, 2023

We often see trucks as utility vehicles; they come in many configurations to suit different purposes. There are even hybrid and electric trucks coming into the market, offering cleaner emissions and better capability. Whatever type you may choose, the pickup truck has evolved into something you can use every day.

2023 Jeep Gladiator Mojave - Driveman.ca

There is one in particular that puts truck ownership in a very unique category. Stellantis provided us with their 2023 Jeep Gladiator Mojave for the week, so we could see why this open-top truck is so special. Powering the Jeep Gladiator Mojave is a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine making 285 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque, and with a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. This is the only engine option offered in the “Desert Rated” trim level, but you can either choose the six-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic transmission that we had here. The Gladiator does feel sluggish in terms of overall power; the transmission has been smooth in both city and highway driving, but it wouldn’t hurt if Stellantis brought over the V8 from the Rubicon 392.

You can always locate where your truck is if you choose the High Velocity paint finish; we also like the “Desert Rated” badge and orange tow hooks. We don’t have deserts here in Canada, but the Mojave is equipped with a lot of components that can improve your off-road driving experience. Starting with an extra inch of ground clearance over the Rubicon trim, the Mojave has FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks. It also features FOX front hydraulic jounce bumpers, 17-inch low gloss black machined wheels wrapped in 33-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires, an E-Locker rear axle, a 4.10 rear axle ratio, a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and skid plate protection.

In true Jeep fashion, the Gladiator features removable doors, an optional body-colored 3-piece modular hardtop, and a fold-down windshield. Jeep includes a Torx toolkit for you to remove the bolts; within a few minutes, we were able to remove the top and doors with ease, as the parts are lightweight. Driving without the doors is helpful on the trail; we haven’t tried it on normal roads as it’s a little unnerving without side mirrors. We did get a lot of waves from fellow Jeep owners while we drove without the top.

The interior is pretty much like the Wrangler with an easy-to-use layout. The Uconnect 4C NAV with an 8.4-inch screen display is pleasant to navigate and offers Off-Road Pages displaying important vehicle details. Orange accents and stitching are a great touch in this all-black interior. It’s not particularly luxurious, but it will hold up after your off-roading adventures with a washable interior, weatherproof push-button start, and sturdy physical controls. Our model is fitted with the Cold Weather Group, which gives the truck heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote start system. A 552-watt, 9-speaker Alpine Premium audio system is included, which features a portable Bluetooth speaker tucked behind the rear seat. Finding your driving position isn’t too difficult with these manually adjustable seats, but we later realized that the Gladiator is tight on space. Even wearing a watch, it’s difficult to slip your hand in between the door and seat bolster. The Gladiator’s steering feel can be more responsive but is still pleasant to drive. It’s comfortable on-road and feels slightly quieter than that of the Ford Bronco Badlands with these larger all-terrain tires.

Practicality is well thought-out with a five-foot steel bed, a 115-volt power outlet, a 400-watt inverter, and a 60/40 split folding rear seat that’s lockable as well. There’s even a covered compartment to store all the bolts from the top, doors, and windshield under the rear seat. The Gladiator is fitted with a lot of safety features such as LED lighting, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, an integrated forward-facing off-road camera, automatic high beam, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.

According to EnerGuide, the fuel economy is rated at 13.7L/100KM city and 10.7L/100KM highway, for a combined 12.3L/100KM. We weren’t expecting good fuel efficiency with a “Desert Rated” truck, so we achieved 14.0L/100KM during our week-long test.

There are 6 models to choose from: the Sport S starts at $53,490, Willys at $58,485, Overland at $60,590, Rubicon and Mojave at $62,190, and High Altitude at $70,085. Fitted with close to $18,000 worth of optional equipment, our Gladiator Mojave comes to an eye-watering $80,660. If off-roading isn’t something you’re going to do on a daily basis, the first three trim levels might be worth a look, and you can choose which packages you would like to add.

Most people would flock to the Rubicon when it comes to the Jeep, as it’s known to be extremely off-road capable. The Mojave is designed to be a little tougher, as it’s intended for off-roading at higher speeds. While this can take more of a beating, it’s also extremely versatile on everyday roads. The fuel efficiency isn’t great, but the capability of this midsize truck outshines that. A convertible truck is rare, which is why the Gladiator is so much fun; it’s truly unique that it’s really built for all four seasons. Like the Wrangler, it’s a lifestyle vehicle that stays true to Jeep’s culture of never-ending adventures.