Got Jeep Gladiator fever, but a student budget? Or does someone in your family have enough cash to make your Gladiator dreams come true? Either way, we take a look at the Gladiator's suitability for an inexperienced driver and offer some more affordable, (even cheap!) alternatives.
The Jeep Gladiator was launched in SA last year, and Jeep can’t keep up with the demand for this unique double cab which is built for extreme off-roading. But, with a price tag of a whopping R1 329 900, it’s an expensive toy. Those fortunate enough to be on the waiting list for a Gladiator probably already have a selection of other, more ‘normal’ cars in their driveways already.
Big engine = big thirst, and potentially high running costs
The Gladiator isn’t just expensive, its running costs are going to be high as well. Jeep utilised their 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar petrol engine with 209kW and 347 Nm, and filling up that 83-litre tank won’t be cheap – a full tank will cost you in the region of R2000. According to Jeep, you should get about 670 km from one tank, but we reckon their official consumption figure of 12.4 litres per 100 km is perhaps a little too ambitious. Then, there’s the issue of aftermarket parts which can get expensive because the Jeep dealer footprint isn’t especially large. Parts availability may also be an issue later on.
If money is no object, however, the body-on-frame Gladiator is not a bad choice, but you’re going to have a rather large vehicle with firm ride quality as your daily mode of transport. It’s definitely no Renegade or Grand Cherokee and about as comfortable as the garden variety Wrangler, which may be hardy and robust but not known for its Aladdin’s-carpet suspension or Rolls-Royce levels of comfort.
You’ll be well looked after in the safety department, however, thanks to the usual acronyms like ABS, EBD, HSA (hill-start assist), four airbags, a blind spot monitor, a rearview camera and even adaptive cruise control.
Affordable alternatives?
If you want an easily manoeuvrable yet tough and off-road-ready vehicle with a low transfer case, there are other cars (some preloved and some new) that make better cars for new drivers.
We love the Suzuki Jimny not only for its good looks but its off-road prowess too, but it doesn’t have a boot when the rear seats are in their upright position. Other cheap and cheerful, real 4x4s include the Mahindra Thar (very, very basic, but capable), Fiat Panda 4×4 (small capacity, but loves to climb), Renault Duster (large boot, capable, and fuel-efficient), and the Mahindra Scorpio (ugly but practical, but its interior build quality is questionable). For me, it’s between the Duster and the Jimny, depending on your need for space.
If you absolutely must have a type of double-cab bakkie, look into used Isuzu D-Max (or pre-loved KB) Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Hilux models, but the latter may be expensive as Toyota is still SA’s most popular double-cab.
Ané AlbertseAné was bitten by the motoring bug at a very young age. Her mom recalls her sitting in her stroller as a 3-year old, naming every car that came past. She was working as a freelance motoring journalist for publications such as Rapport and City Press, when AutoTrader nabbed her for good. She lives in the Western Cape with her two kids and two cats.View News & Reviews
Keyword: Is the Jeep Gladiator good for new drivers?