2024 Jeep Gladiator Mojave test drive review

The good folks at Jeep invited KSL Cars to this year’s Easter Jeep Safari to drive their new concepts and the refreshed Gladiator. We’re long-time Jeep fans and we loved every second of last year’s Wrangler event in Sand Hollow, having gotten a taste for models like the Rubicon 392.

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

But, until now, we hadn’t driven a Gladiator, let alone the ultra-capable Mojave trim. Thanks to Jeep, we got to go behind the wheel of the significantly refreshed Gladiator Mojave — on and off-road in Moab — and all we can say is that this truck is seriously awesome and very, very capable. You can see a more in-depth review on YouTube. 

Our four-hour off-road course, as led by legendary trail guide Nena Barlow (check out her off-road tour company, Barlow Adventures), took us through sand, mud, slick rock and obstacles such as the venerable Wipeout Hill. The stock Gladiator Mojave took it all in stride, never skipping a beat. And then, when the day was done, it drove me back to Moab in peace, quiet and comfort, as if it was just another day at the office. What other truck can do that? 

Here are a few things we loved about our time with the refreshed Gladiator, and a few insights from Jeep’s engineering and design teams interviewed on-site. 

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What’s new for the 2024 Gladiator

“It’s a work hard, play hard truck,” said Brandon Girmus, Senior Manager of Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Product Marketing. “The 2024 Gladiator boasts several upgrades, most based on customer feedback.” The 2024 Gladiator is all about adding more capability, tech, refinement and safety features while maintaining the essence of what the Gladiator is. Which, as the Jeep engineers will tell you, is 100% truck and 100% Jeep. Additionally, the Gladiator is America’s only open-air pickup, and for 2024, it starts at a lower price than in 2023. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Technology

The most impactful thing you notice when you get inside the refreshed Gladiator is the big, 12.3-inch touchscreen. Jeep made the new screen (which looks fabulous) standard across all trims, and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Jeep also wanted it easier for drivers to discover and navigate off-road trails, so they included their Adventure Guides, powered by Trails Offroad. This includes detailed maps, route descriptions, difficulty ratings, waypoints and more. There are 200 trails built in, but with a subscription you get access to over 3,000. 

Safety

The refreshed Gladiator offers more than 85 standard and available safety and security features. Some of the most notable improvements include first- and second-row side airbags, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning on Sport S trims and above. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Capability 

“The fundamental concept behind the Gladiator has never wavered,” said Girmus. “Part of that means ensuring its truck credibility.” To that end, the 2024 Gladiator has a 7,700-pound towing capacity and a 1,725-pound payload capacity. “It excels at all the truck stuff,” said Girmus. 

To be 100% Jeep, it must have legendary Jeep credibility, which means all trims are either Trail or Desert Rated. All trims include solid Dana front and rear axles, a two-speed transfer case, tow hooks up front and in the rear, underbody skid plates and a minimum tire size of 32 inches. The Mojave is the first Desert Rated Jeep, which means it’s capable of high-speed desert running while maintaining impressive wheeling prowess. 

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Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Mojave-specific magic

The Mojave trim has a Command-Trac part-time transfer case, which allows low gear speeds of almost 50 mph. The Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass valve shocks come with external reservoirs that help keep shock fluids cool and also have industry-first Fox hydraulic jounce control bump stops that work in tandem with the internal bypass valve shocks to minimize impacts near full compression. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Every Mojave comes standard with Off-Road+ drive modes, and they’ve been tuned very aggressively in four-wheel drive high, allowing for sharp and powerful throttle response from the V6. The rear locking axle in the Mojave also allows for speeds up to 97 mph. For the tough desert environment, several structural improvements were made, including front cast-iron knuckles, frame reinforcements, increased rear axle tube thickness and more. All Mojaves come standard with 17-inch wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Refinement

Continuing the theme of “more” for the 2024 Gladiator, comes more refinement for the exterior, interior and ride. There is a new interpretation of the iconic seven-slot grille, which visually elevates and widens the Gladiator’s front end. The antenna is now integrated into the Corning Gorilla Glass windshield. There are also seven new eye-catching wheel designs. 

On the interior, 12-way power-adjustable seats are available and can withstand 31.5 inches of water fording —  a Trail Rated hallmark. For everyday driving, Jeep has retuned the suspension, making for a more stable and comfortable ride — another feature customers have been asking for. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Off-road driving impressions

Thanks to Jeep and Nena Barlow, we enjoyed the Gladiator for about four hours off-road. During that time we went through just about every terrain and over every obstacle you can imagine — even the aforementioned off-road hallmark, Wipeout Hill. We enjoy off-roading but are no expert when it comes to wheeling — which speaks volumes about how good the Gladiator Mojave is right off the bat. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Everyone remarked how incredible it is that someone can buy one of these, drive it straight from the dealership lot to the trails, and do everything they’ve ever wanted without hesitation. 

As fun as the wheeling aspects were, it was the high-speed desert running that was most impressive. Jeeps aren’t known for their high-speed stability, especially off-road, but those Jeep engineers, Fox shocks and hydraulic jounce control bump stops are magic. 

Not once did it feel out of control, tearing through sand, mud and hilariously fun undulations. This is an off-road rig that can truly do all the Jeep stuff and be a capable truck and a comfortable daily driver. In a group of six drivers, there wasn’t anyone who wasn’t floored at its capability. 

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Photo courtesy of Stellantis

On-road driving impressions

Putting the cherry on top of an incredible day spent off-roading was the Gladiator Mojave’s ability to seamlessly transition to being a comfortable highway cruiser. Gone are the days of wandering Jeep steering. This thing felt planted, stable and sure-footed. The heated seat and steering wheel was plenty cozy while listening to tunes from the wireless Apple CarPlay connection and beautiful 12.3-inch touchscreen. It’s a fun truck, and it makes sense why so many drive these things daily. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Final thoughts

After spending a day talking to the Gladiator’s engineers and designers and driving on and off-road in the latest Gladiator, it was hard not to be seriously impressed. The folks at Jeep really care about their product and creating the best vehicles they can for their customers. There are a lot of cool new trucks on the market these days but don’t sleep on the amazingly capable 2024 Gladiator.

As Girmus said of the 2024 Gladiator, “The name of the game is more: more capability, tech, refinement and safety features while retaining what the Gladiator is — 100% truck and 100% Jeep.” 

The 3.6-liter V6 is standard across the board and has 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. There are seven trim levels, the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave and Mojave X. “Across the board, you get better content, a lower price and a better value,” Girmus said. 

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Photo courtesy of Stellantis

The starting MSRP is $37,895, which is $1,572 lower than the 2023 model year and It’s available at dealerships right now. 

Highs: 

• More content, refinement, safety and capability 

• Refreshed styling

• Unmatched off-road capability

• Legitimate truck capability

• Improved on-road driving dynamics

• Open-air experience

• Fun, adventurous attitude

Lows: 

• Mediocre fuel economy

• Gets expensive in the higher trims

• No factory 35-inch tire package — yet

• No higher output engine options — yet

FAQs 

Is the Jeep Gladiator Mojave fun to drive? 

Absolutely. There’s no other truck like it. It’s fun enough on-road, especially with the top and doors off, and even more fun off-road. It’s virtually unstoppable, right off the showroom floor. It’s not especially quick, but Off-Road+ mode spices things up nicely. 

Is it good for families? 

The Gladiator, as is the case with all mid-size trucks, is pretty compact inside. However, there is definitely more leg and headroom than most of the competition. The interior is also very easy to clean and feels like it will withstand years of abuse. 

KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist, and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com.