Diesel debuts on 2021 Jeep Gladiator, coming later this year

For those looking for more power and better fuel economy—and who isn’t?—look for the diesel-equipped 2021 Jeep Gladiator this fall.

FCA’s 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel, rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque will be paired up with a new transmission and available on Gladiator Sport, Overland and Rubicon models with engine stop-start (ESS) technology standard.

“Before we introduced Gladiator, one of the most common questions consumers asked us was, ‘Will you please offer a Jeep truck?,’ followed closely by, ‘Will it be offered with a diesel engine?’ While we know the answer to the first question, I’m pleased to answer the second with a resounding, ‘Yes!’,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – North America. “Gladiator’s combination of unmatched off-road capability and the vehicle’s fun-to-drive on-road performance, best-ever Gladiator fuel economy and incredible driving range underwrite the fact that our customers knew exactly what they were asking for.”

At 442 lb.-ft., the 2021 diesel Gladiator easily claims the top spot for torque in the midsize segment, followed by the 2019 and 2020 Ford Ranger at 370 lb.-ft. (315 hp) with the Ford Performance package and the 2019 and 2020 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon with 369 lb.-ft. torque (186 hp).

Thanks to the inherent energy efficiency of diesel, Jeep reports that the expected fuel economy ratings will deliver the highest driving range on one tank of fuel ever for Gladiator.
To handle greater torque loads, the EcoDiesel V-6 connects to a newly added TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low RPM shifts. There are more than 40 individual shift maps to optimize shift points for fuel economy, performance and 4×4 capability.

Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel Sport, Overland, and Rubicon models feature third-generation Dana 44 front and rear heavy-duty axles. Additionally, all Gladiator EcoDiesel models feature a 3.73 axle ratio. The Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio is standard on Rubicon models and the Command-Trac part-time two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio on Sport and Overland models.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel goes on sale in the third quarter of 2020. Customers can order now.