It is 40 cm longer than a Mercedes S-Class and hides under its high hood a V6 3.0 diesel of 264 hp. Like a Toyota Prius, however, this four-seater Jeep Gladiator pick-up does not pay any penalty since a tax measure allows it to be exempted. Explanations.
Los Angeles Auto Show, November 2018. With one eye amused by the eternal excessiveness of North America, we observed, jaded as much as envious, the revelation of the new Jeep Gladiator. This monster 5.59 m long replaced Jeep on the sacrosanct pick-up market, without omitting anything from the “little” Wrangler which served as its base: V6 engines (petrol 3.6 and since diesel 3.0), a switchable all-wheel drive (with locking central differential and rear limited slip), a short range of speeds and a ground clearance of 28 cm; twice as much as a contemporary Ford Puma-style SUV.
At the time, it was unlikely that this Gladiator would cross the Atlantic and even less that it would land on the Normandy coast, France having just repealed the tax niche allowing double cabin pick-ups to avoid the penalty. at registration. But Jeep has worked through the 2021 finance law: with less than five seats, a pick-up remains considered a utility vehicle and, as such, exempt from any penalty or TVS. Central rear seat condemned by a makeshift armrest, so here is the four-seater Jeep Gladiator which arrives in France. But not at a low price …
Jeep Gladiator Launch Edition price
The classic Jeep Wrangler (five-door, five-seater and right-hand hatchback) recently converted to plug-in hybridization to avoid the penalty. Its price had already announced the color: € 70,700 as a call price! Our Jeep Gladiator 3.0 V6 Multijet is not more affordable since it points to € 72,900 including tax in the unique Overland Launch Edition finish, or € 60,750 excluding tax for the professional public. Its standard equipment is nevertheless complete, including in particular a U-Connect system with an 8.4-inch screen, digital instrumentation, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, not to mention the essential front parking cameras and radars and back. So much so that the list of options is limited to metallic paint.
If the central differential lock and the short gear range remain standard, the Gladiator cannot be fitted with the front-to-rear differential locks and the disconnectable front anti-roll bar, reserved for the Wrangler Rubicon and ideal for “trialising” areas. . The Gladiator will still drop 99% of automotive production there while offering the possibility of driving in the great outdoors. And this, without traveling in the dumpster: the front roof is separated into two removable parts! Here is what smells like America, like this removable Bluetooth speaker, perfect to accompany the next barbecue in the middle of nature with music.
Driving
In Jeep Gladiator, the expression “get on board” takes on its full meaning. Side step and handle attached to the windshield upright are not too much to hoist on the driver’s seat, from where you dominate the scenery … and the common motorists. Yes, this city car, there, at the bottom, is in fact a Peugeot 5008. This hegemonic position prevents quite bragging about the city, and especially in underground car parks, where the Gladiator fails to rub its long dumpster on the poles in the streets. 90 ° turns, then overflows its parking space a good meter lengthways. The only satisfaction during the surface slots? Do not be afraid of scratching the pretty aluminum rims on the sidewalks, protected by bulging tires like balloons.
Afterwards, the flat hood and the straight sides make it easier to understand the contours, such as the front and rear cameras during maneuvers. Only the blind spot monitoring is a little zealous: it beeps as soon as a flashing light is activated on the expressway, even if the vehicle in the next lane is still far behind. Better safe than sorry aboard this 2.4 t machine which, moreover, does not make its weight too felt. The 3.0 V6, a little rumbling under acceleration, offers flexibility in town and efficient revivals on the road. The eight-speed automatic transmission takes over smoothly, with enough relevance to overcome the manual mode available at the lever.
Road handling is surprisingly healthy. The Gladiator slows down with frankness when braking, does not break apart on tortuous courses and contains its body movements well on bumps. As for the slight suspension bounces on certain successions of bumps, they are not brittle and remain much inferior to those of the competitors when their bucket is empty. The reason ? The presence of rear coil springs rather than leaves, which provide more comfort on the road and paths but slightly alter the utility capacities.
If the Gladiator V6 diesel struggles to drop below 10-11 l / 100 km on average, its tank of 69 l makes it possible to space the supplies and dominates in that the Wrangler 4xe. The latter, very sober after recharging from the mains, is however much more greedy during long stages on the motorway. At 130 km / h the Gladiator holds its course perfectly but generates a lot of aerodynamic noise, inherent in the very vertical windshield which must bore its air hole at high speed. All you have to do is send your favorite playlist to the typically American sound system (that is, more generous in bass than in finesse) to cover them. OK boomer?
On board
Competition
In July 2019, the arrival of the penalty quickly decimated the double cabin pick-up segment. The Isuzu D-Max no longer offers them, and the Renault Alaskan, Mercedes Classe X and Volkswagen Amarok have completely disappeared. While some resist (Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux, etc.), they generally have to pay the maximum penalty of € 30,000 upon registration. The only solution to avoid it: opt for deep cab versions, whose very rudimentary rear space (often a simple seat fixed against the very vertical rear wall) does not allow the same family use. It remains to be seen whether the other manufacturers will rush into the Gladiator’s tax breach …
Discover the results of the test, the technical sheet and all the equipment prices of the Jeep Gladiator on the next page.
