2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel

This week, we’re off on a diesel-powered Quick Spin in the 2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel. This was just a matter of time, after FCA’s third-gen 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 was added to the Wrangler lineup last year. 

And output here, is an identical 260-horsepower and 442 lb-ft. of torque as in the Wrangler; working through the same TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission, and available in Sport, Overland, and Rubicon trims. 

With a standard 3.73 rear axle ratio; it’s rated to tow a max of 6,500-lbs. which is actually about 1,000-lbs less than 3.6-liter V6 gas engine. Now that shouldn’t come as a surprise as it’s called the EcoDiesel, not the “tow diesel”, thus it gets a combined rating of 24, compared to the 3.6’s 19. Our real world average was higher still at 25.4 miles-per-gallon of Diesel. 

But, it’s not always just about the numbers...

DAVE SCRIVENER: "Offering the diesel engine option in the Gladiator addresses several shortcomings:  it does have 15 less horsepower than the gas V6, but a whopping 182 more pound feet of torque and at a much lower RPM. So acceleration happens with a whole lot less engine drama. Fuel economy also increases by about 6 miles per gallon. So, if I were going to buy a Gladiator, the Diesel’s the only way to go for me."

It feels way more powerful than the gas V6; with an abundance of tire-spinning torque eagerly on tap. That additional grunt is indeed very welcomed here in the Gladiator; and will immediately be the choice for off-roaders who’ll also appreciate the increased range. 

And, it’s more than a feeling. At the track, our diesel-equipped Overland was more than a second quicker than the recent Gladiator Mojave we had in; hitting 60 in 7.6-seconds, compared to the Mojave’s 8.8.  

The EcoDiesel is available now, as a $4,000 option; but also requires the $2,000 8HP75 automatic transmission; putting you at a minimum $41,040 for base Sport trim.