In this day and age, it isn’t uncommon for brands to shelve a manual transmission option when the new model year rolls around, especially if the take rate isn’t overly high. Jeep has done just that with the Gladiator for 2025 – while making a close cousin only available with a manual for the same model year.
That’s right. Cropping up on the spec sheet for Wrangler in 2025 is the realization that its venerable 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine will be paired exclusively with a manual transmission for the coming annum; anyone wishing not to row their own will need to take a hard look at the 2.0L turbo powertrain. Meanwhile, close cousin Gladiator drops the stickshift altogether for 2025 – even when equipped with the Pentastar.
Confused yet? Imagine the chaos this will create in a Stellantis showroom amongst slicked back sales staff between smoke breaks.
It is unclear if the realigning of these powertrain options – binning the V6 automatic in Wrangler but keeping it in the Gladiator – is due to demand, production efficiencies, or simple availability of parts. Or, as some around TTAC may have muttered, the start of a gradual culling of variants in prep for the Next Big Thing. While absolutely no one expects the Wrangler to vanish any time soon, a shrinking options list often portends major model changes. We shall see if this is a blip or something more permanent.
One good thing out of all this is the holding of starting MSRP for Gladiator. Jeep says it will start at $39,995 including the eight-speed automatic transmission and destination charges. Presently, the build-and-price tool has an equivalent 2024 Gladiator Sport 4×4 priced at $42,290. In fact, this year’s starting sticker just $200 more than last year’s truck even when equipped with a gotta-take-it automatic. It’s like they’re throwing in the eight-speed for free.
Other changes to the Glad for ’25 include power locks and windows across the board, plus a couple of new colours such as the heritage inspired ’41 (yes, that is its official name) hue which is apparently a nod to military olive drab. You can bet on the aftermarket stickers with which owners are going to pair with this paint. An available Active Cab Ventilation can also apparently pre-condition the cab to evacuate hot air in warm climates. This sounds like something which would be available only on the 4xe, with its large battery providing the juice, though that detail is left unmentioned.
Jeep also says “In calendar year 2025, Jeep Gladiator will add an electrified 4xe plug-in hybrid model as part of the Jeep brand’s mission to offer an electrified variant of all Jeep vehicles sold in North America by the end of 2025.” This marks one of, if not the, first official confirmation that Gladiator is getting the 4xe powertrain – though it has been speculated on for ages.
[Images: Jeep]
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