Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Jeep Gladiator is slow, loud, and rides poorly. In the Jeep world, those are just the trade-offs, the buy-in for the Jeep experience. The Gladiator is at least that, with huge all-terrain tires, hilarious decals, and an army-green paint job. It at least drives better than the 1940s Willys that helped reclaim Europe some 70 years ago, though this Willys version is intended exclusively to pay homage to those iconic machines.The Gladiator isn't the truck you buy because you need a truck. It's a toy, over-long and somewhat impractical as a result; it can still haul your mountain bikes, tow your boat, or fit a weekend's camping supplies in the bed while leaving room for passengers inside. As it turns out, a somewhat poor midsize truck actually makes a great Jeep.The Gladiator Willys Is Priced Right As A Midsized Truck AlternativeChase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the fact that there are more traditional mid-sized offerings out there, like the Toyota Tacoma, the Jeep Gladiator is still priced right on the money. Starting at $41,815, the Gladiator is nearly dollar-for-dollar with most four-door rivals, and this mid-range Willys model is no different. As-specified, it arrives at a total price of $58,160 including destination and options.It feels a fair deal given the special wheels, olive-colored cloth seats, and other Willys accoutrements. The decals aren't exactly to my taste, but the added equipment, like the chunky off-road tires, certainly is.The Gladiator's Charm Is Undeniable.Chase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleBut this is not a truck you buy for objective reasons. The real reason you're lured in by the siren song of this objectively poor truck is the Jeep features. You can, unlike any other truck on the market, totally remove the doors and roof, should you wish. With a little finagling, most of that will fit in the bed. Jeep also provides a handy storage bag for just such an event.AdvertisementAdvertisementAn event is exactly what the Gladiator becomes sans roof. With open air over your head, the truck does that Jeep thing that immediately makes it more entertaining. You'll forget about the objective drawbacks, of which there are many, in favor of the truck's more favorable ones. 2026's changes to the door hinge design also make it much easier to go door-less, which is an only slightly terrifying experience you must absolutely try at least once. Without a traditional car surrounding you, the Gladiator turns into the world's most capable golf cart.The Gladiator's Admittedly Long List Of IssuesAt some point, though, the weather will turn, and you'll be left with the Gladiator in its most tedious role: that of daily transportation. It is spectacularly bad at this. The body, which is basically a five-foot truck bed crashed into the back of a Wrangler, is laughably long and difficult to maneuver even in generous suburban environments.The Gladiator's absurd length means this photo was taken of the car in Colorado while I stood, roughly, in Kansas.Chase BierenkovenThe fuel economy and acceleration from the 285 horsepower V6 are equally horrid. It'll take a very 1990s 8.5 seconds to hit 60 miles per hour, and while you do it, you'll get approximately -7 miles per gallon. In reality, the EPA says this does an optimistic 22 mpg combined. I have yet to achieve even more than 16 mpg without a generous amount of time on the highway. This is all somewhat redeemed by the solid 7,700-pound tow capacity.Then there's the act of driving the thing. The Gladiator does give excellent visibility because it is on huge stilts for tires, but its vague steering and narrow cab lead you to feel like you're piloting a boat with wheels. Up on the stool that is the driver's seat, your commanding view of the surrounding country is diminished by the brewing discomfort from the over-firm seats. The sound system isn't great, even if the infotainment actually (for once) is. A six-speed Gladiator suffers from terrible ergonomics, which is allegedly fun in its own right, and the 8-speed automatic is simply too focused on eeking out what efficiency gains it can to deliver any real performance. It is, unabashedly, a disaster to drive.Final Thoughts: The Gladiator Is As Long On Charm As It Is On FlawsChase BierenkovenThis is what you sign up for in any Jeep. Since the brand's civilian inception after WWII, the automaker has largely busied itself with getting the most uncivil aspects of its designs under control. Drive a Wrangler from 20 years ago, and you'll find Jeep has made great strides in this department, dragging a military vehicle kicking and screaming into civilian life. It's like the guy that never came home from the war, taking it out on everyone around it.AdvertisementAdvertisementThese very problems are what make the Gladiator an entertaining alternative to the actually good trucks on sale today; competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon. It's a Jeep truck, with all the problems and benefits that idea brings to the table. While the hybrid version was a huge improvement, the Gladiator is still a real alternative to the above because it doesn't take itself too seriously.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.