Jeep Gladiator upgraded

An upgraded 2021 Jeep Gladiator range has been released, bringing more equipment, a higher payload and price increases across a slimmer two-variant range.

Now opening the American dual-cab 4x4 ute line-up at $68,490 plus on-road costs is the “urban adventurer” Night Eagle, which replaces the Sport S introduced in February, when it lowered the starting price of the previous MY20 Gladiator range to $65,450 plus ORCs.

However, the new Jeep Gladiator Night Eagle (a variant name already seen in the Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee lines) adds a number of new features that Jeep says improves value by 20 per cent.

These include 17-inch black alloy wheels, gloss black grille, black exterior and exterior accents, body-colour fender flares, deep-tint windows, remote start system, security alarm, 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system, satellite navigation, 240-amp alternator and a 4.10 rear axle ratio.

Carryover features include premium cloth seat trim, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, push-button starting, a 7.0-inch drive information display, black three-piece Freedom Hard Top and LED headlights, tail-lights, fog lights and daytime running lights.

Also still standard is a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, remote proximity keyless entry, front/rear ParkSense Park Assist System, Selec-Trac Active On Demand 4x4 System, heavy-duty rock rails and three skid plates.

There are no changes to the Gladiator’s standard safety suite, which earned it a three-star ANCAP rating in 2019 and includes Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Path Detection and Parkview Rear Backup Camera.

Meantime, in the absence of the MY20 Overland variant, the only other MY21 Jeep Gladiator available is the flagship Rubicon, which goes up $500 in price to $76,500 plus ORCs.

Extra standard equipment for the MY21 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon includes leather seat trim, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

There are no changes to the Gladiator’s 3.6-litre petrol V6 or its standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

However, for MY21, both Jeep Gladiator variants come with upgraded rear suspension that increases the payload of both models to 693kg. The Night Eagle’s GCM is 5601kg and its GVM 2880kg, while the Rubicon’s GCM is 5656kg and GVM 2935kg.

Jeep Australia says this means the Gladiator is now reclassified as a light goods carrying vehicle rather than an off-road passenger vehicle, which may remove or reduce the amount of fringe benefit tax paid by some buyers.

Rounding out the upgrade is the availability of a limited-edition Gecko paint colour between September and November production, in addition to Black, Bright White, Firecracker Red, Sting Gray, Sarge Green, Granite Crystal, Hydro Blue and Snazzberry.

Premium paint is a $795 option, alongside three option packs.

The $2000 Trail-Ready Package (comprising a steel front bumper and 17-inch black alloy wheels) and the $2950 Rubicon Paint Package (body-colour fender flares and hard-top) are not available with the Night Eagle.

But available on both Gladiators for $2950 is the Lifestyle Adventure Group pack, including four AUX switches, Cargo Group with Trail Rail System, lockable rear under-seat storage, spray-in bedliner, roll-up tonneau cover, wireless Bluetooth speaker, 700-amp maintenance battery and 240-amp alternator (already on Night Eagle).

How much does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator cost?
Night Eagle – $68,450
Rubicon – $76,950
* Prices exclude on-road costs