The 2020 Jeep Gladiator (JT) is what happens when you stretch a Wrangler and give it a pickup bed. Origin: USA (Toledo, Ohio). It is the only convertible truck on the market. In Kenya, it offers a unique proposition: the off-road capability of a Defender, the open-air fun of a convertible, and the utility of a Hilux (albeit with a smaller bed). It is a lifestyle truck, not a farm worker.

Launched with the trusty V6:

• 3.6L Pentastar V6 STANDARD
  285 HP / 352 Nm. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic (ZF). While it lacks the low-end torque of a turbo diesel Hilux, it offers smooth highway acceleration and enough grunt for rock crawling in "4L" mode.

• Rear Seat: Unlike most double cabs, the rear seat in the Gladiator is actually comfortable. It has best-in-class rear legroom and lockable storage behind the seat back.
• The Bed: It is a 5-foot bed (1.5 meters). It fits dirt bikes or camping gear, but do not expect to carry 8x4 plywood sheets without the tailgate down.

It features a removable Bluetooth speaker that docks behind the rear seat—perfect for Kenyan tailgate parties. The Uconnect system includes Off-Road Pages to monitor pitch, roll, and steering angle.

• Consumption: 6–8 km/l. It has the aerodynamics of a brick wall.
• Service: The Pentastar V6 is reliable, but the suspension components (solid axles) require regular greasing if used off-road. Tyres are expensive (33-inch or 35-inch mud terrains).

• Length: It is long (5.5 meters). The wheelbase is massive, which means the "breakover angle" is worse than a Wrangler. You might scrape the belly on sharp mounds that a Wrangler would clear.
• Fox Shocks: The Rubicon and Mojave trims come with high-end Fox shocks that soak up corrugations on murram roads brilliantly.

Like the Wrangler, safety ratings are average due to the removable parts. Reliability is decent, but watch for steering box play ("death wobble") on lifted examples.

Who is this for? The adventure lover who wants to drive to Magadi with the roof off and a cooler box in the back. Who is it NOT for? Anyone who needs to carry 100 bags of cement—buy a Hilux.