This week, we are looking at a special edition Jeep Gladiator called the Texas Trail. This Jeep pickup is essentially a Wrangler with a bed on the back.
Exterior
From the front it looks like a Wrangler with the 7-slot grill and round headlights, but as you go to the side view, the 5-foot pickup bed changes everything.
The 17-inch wheels and meaty 32-inch tires look great, and side steps flow into oversized Jeep fenders. Texas Trail decals are emblazoned on the hood along with an 1836 logo. If you are not a history buff, that is the year Texas declared itself the independent Republic of Texas.
The Texas Trail edition is based on the Sport S trim level, one of the many different ways you can order a Gladiator.
Powertrain
Unlatch the hood and you’ll find the tried-and-true 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that is putting out 285-horses. My review truck is 4-wheel drive and has an 8-speed automatic.
Interior
Climbing into the Gladiator, you see a nice interior with optional leather seating. A colorful gauge cluster greets you and the driver info in the center of the gauges are highly configurable.
Center dash is the 7-inch Uconnect system which operates the sound system, apps, climate, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and vehicle settings. The system works great and is very intuitive. This screen also operates a terrific rear camera.
Below the screen is your automatic temperate controlled air, hill descent control, the start/stop disable switch, the power window switches, and USB ports.
The center console has the gear shifter with a Jeep silhouette on top, your 4-wheel drive stick shifter, a couple of cup holders, and a two-tier armrest with storage.
Moving to the back seat, it has incredible head and legroom. The seats fold from the bottom up and there is storage for the bolts that hold the tops on. If you look up, you’ll find two speakers on the built-in roll cage. Overall, the interior is nicely done and quite functional.
Options
My review vehicle has just over $14,000 in options, including leather seating, trailer towing package, premium LED lighting all around, the automatic tranny, adaptive cruise control, a spray-in bedliner, and a traction lock rear axle.
It also has the active safety group which is rear park assist and blind spot monitoring. Other options are keyless entry and remote start, a hard tonneau cover, and automatic headlamps.
This package has the Freedom top. The top itself is comprised of three pieces with one covering each front row passenger and one covering the rear row. Each panel can be removed independently. The rear panel requires some tools for removal which are included.
What is fun about Jeeps is you can make them so different. Take the tops off, take the doors off, fold the windshield back and enjoy the fresh air.
Ride and Drive
This is an enjoyable daily driver, and if you want to go off-road, it’s incredibly capable with 10-inches of ground clearance. If you wish to tow, it’ll handle 6000 pounds.
City gas mileage is 17, 22 on the highway, and 19 combined. Total MSRP is $51,010.
Verdict
I love this package, it’s the best value I’ve seen in a Gladiator, but if you are outside of Texas, you cannot purchase it, sorry.
- What I Liked Most: The value and interior.
- What I would change: I actually like the whole package.
- MSRP: Base price $34,960. Total $51,010 with transportation charges.
- Fuel Economy: 17 city/22 Highway/19 overall.
- Odometer reading when tested: 2,400 miles.
- Weight: 4,720 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Full-Sized.
- Length-Width-Height: 218” long/73.8” wide/73.1” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gallons with the fuel filler on the driver’s side.
- Official Color: Firecracker Red Clearcoat.
- Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- 2022 Jeep Gladiator Texas Trail: This is a great package and terrific value if you are in Texas.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance, 5-year/60,000 mile power train warranty.
- Final Assembly Location: Toledo, Ohio.
- Manufacturer's website: Jeep
