How many R1.3-million Jeep Gladiators have been sold in South Africa – 3 months later

The new Jeep Gladiator Rubicon recently celebrated its first three full months on the South African market, but despite this short time on showroom floors, the double cab is already among the best-selling Jeep models in the country.

Between the final week of June when the bakkie first went on sale to the final week of August, it racked up a total of 97 sales according to Naamsa’s sales statistics. This means the Gladiator was responsible for just over 25% of the total of 379 vehicles that Jeep sold to local motorists since June.

Making this more impressive is the fact that the unproven American double cab currently ranks as the most expensive bakkie you can buy.

Trail rated

The new Gladiator Rubicon boasts Jeep’s coveted “Trail Rated” badge denoting it as one of the brand’s more capable offerings.

This logo gives the bakkie certain attributes to boost its off-roading abilities such as an 800mm water wading depth, a ground clearance of 249mm, low range gears, front and rear locking differentials, and two off-road drive systems namely Command-Trac and Rock-Trac.

This is on top of skid plates, front and rear tow hooks, and heavy-duty steel bumpers with spots for a winch, these bumpers lending the Jeep an approach angle of 43.6 degrees, breakover angle of 20.3 degrees, and departure angle of 26 degrees.

Motivating the newcomer is the manufacturer’s tried-and-tested 3.6-litre, V6 petrol motor churning out 209kW and 347Nm, providing loads of low-end torque to tackle trickier obstacles, said Jeep.

The power unit is paired with an eight-speed auto-box as standard, which also makes it a decent workhorse as it’s capable of carrying a 693kg load in the rear bed while towing a maximum of 2,721kg.

It is extensively equipped with creature comforts, too, as each Gladiator brings keyless entry and start, leather seats, climate control, all-round LED lights with daytime running lights, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, and an 8.4-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation.