Could the Gladiator Be the Right Truck for You?

April 12th, 2024 by

A grey 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is shown driving through a muddy puddle after leaving a dealer with used Jeeps for sale near Woodland Park.

In Woodland Park, a place surrounded on all sides by gorgeous nature, it’s only natural that many drivers are looking for a vehicle that lets them enjoy the wilderness up close and in person. At many dealerships, finding an off-road model can be tricky: many models only offer off-road capability on high-tier trims that cost an arm and a leg, and finding a solid off-roader in the average dealership’s used inventory can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Of course, things are different at a Jeep dealership. Down to the most entry-level trim, Jeep models like the Gladiator offer a hardy build and include the equipment you need to leave the pavement behind and enjoy the great outdoors.

If you are looking for used Jeeps for sale near Woodland Park, you’ve come to the right place. At our conveniently located dealership in nearby Colorado Springs, you can find all kinds of off-road models, from nimble compact SUVs to full-size SUVs that can fit plenty of equipment. But what if you don’t want to be limited to interior cargo space? If you have bulky equipment you want to bring along for the ride, the open cargo bed of a pickup truck can be much more convenient.

For an off-road vehicle that combines the ingenuity and rugged build of the Jeep Wrangler with the bodystyle of a pickup truck, consider the midsize Gladiator. This tough and versatile truck is a great choice for drivers who want to be ready for anything life throws at them. From exploring the Rocky Mountains to driving through scenic downtown Woodland Park, this pickup can do it all. Why have both a daily driver and an off-road vehicle when you can have both rolled up into one? Today, we’re going to explore a few reasons why drivers choose the Gladiator so you can see if it’s the right choice for you.

Do You Enjoy Off-Roading?

As with most Jeep models, the Gladiator is a capable off-roader. There are plenty of OHV areas throughout Pike-San Isabel National Forest, not to mention up and down the Rockies, so it is easy for Woodland Park drivers to enjoy some fresh air and adventure during a relaxing vacation, a weekend getaway, or even a day trip. Since the Gladiator is based on the platform of the iconic Wrangler, it’s been designed with off-roading in mind from the very first model to roll off the production line for the 2020 model year. As soon as it hit the market, it was praised by the automotive industry, earning a place on Car and Driver’s 10Best list for 2020 and being named 2020 Truck of the Year by NACTOY.

Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator has removable doors and a removable roof, so you don’t need to put up any barriers between you and the fresh air of Colorado. Every trim level is rugged and ready for action, but some offer even more equipment to help you tackle tougher trails. The Gladiator Rubicon comes standard with extra features to help you conquer truly daunting terrain. This includes a Rock-Trac 4×4 system for rock crawling, reinforced rock rails, and high-clearance fender flares to protect the truck’s body from debris. If you want to explore the open sands of Colorado deserts, you could opt for the Gladiator Mojave instead, which has desert-rated capability and lets you zoom over dunes with confidence.

A blue 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is shown towing a trailer.

Do You Need Towing and Hauling Capability?

Whether you want to bring a trailer to your campsite or need to be able to transport heavy cargo for work or home improvement projects when you’re not out on the trail, the Gladiator can come in handy. Utility is one big reason to choose the Gladiator over the Wrangler. While the Gladiator matches the Wrangler when it comes to off-road capability, it exceeds it in terms of cargo-carrying potential. The Wrangler’s towing capacity tops out at 3,500 lbs in models before the 2024 update, and it only has limited interior space to store cargo. By contrast, the Gladiator can tow up to a best-in-class 7,700 lbs. It can also transport over 1,700 lbs of payload in its open cargo bed.

The cargo bed is perfect for bulky items like mountain bikes that aren’t easy to fit through car doors but can come in handy on an outdoor excursion in the area around Woodland Park. Meanwhile, the high towing capacity lets you take a boat over to Rampart Reservoir for a relaxing day on the water. And then there are all the other ways a truck can come in handy, from picking up furniture and large appliances instead of paying delivery fees to enjoying a tailgate party on the weekend.

Do You Appreciate the Jeep Aesthetic?

The Gladiator isn’t just a practical vehicle, it’s also a stylish one. You can let every passerby in The City Above The Clouds know that you love a good adventure just by driving around town in your Gladiator. The Gladiator may have debuted for the 2020 model year, but the design has roots that can be traced all the way back to World War II. Different trims have their own personalities, with exclusive exterior graphics and unique accents that make them stand out from the rest of the lineup. If you want to customize a used Gladiator further, you can get all the accessories you need at our parts department here at The Faricy Boys.

Do You Want One Vehicle That Can Do It All?

If you have the budget to buy and the room to store one vehicle for commuting, one for running errands around town, one for off-roading, and one for road trips, then more power to you. But most of us can’t afford to own and maintain that many cars. The well-rounded nature of the Gladiator makes it a great choice for drivers looking for a single vehicle that can perform a wide variety of tasks. It can tackle the trails on the weekends, of course, but it also has a solid ride on paved roads and an interior that will keep you comfortable whether you’re boulder crawling or commuting to Colorado Springs.

Even the oldest used Gladiator models come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system and have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available. Higher trims offer creature comforts like heated seats and a heated steering wheel to help you stay warm during cold Colorado winters, and these trims are much more accessible when you buy used. From the middle of a national forest to rush hour on Route 24, the Gladiator can take you anywhere you need to go in comfort and style.

A white 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is shown angled right and parked off-road.

It’s Time to Test Drive a Gladiator

There are many vehicles that can go off-road, many vehicles with a bold sense of style, and many, many pickup trucks available for sale across the United States. But there are very few vehicles that are all three at once and are as versatile and affordable as the Gladiator. Buying a used model can make it even more affordable, and since this truck is a tough cookie that’s built to last for the long haul, you can shop our pre-owned options with confidence. We’re happy to help Woodland Park drivers find a model that’s just right for their needs and are here for you if you have any questions about what model year or trim level is the right fit for you. Reach out to us here at The Faricy Boys any time, and let us get you behind the wheel of a truck that can do it all.