2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept

The 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept was a rugged, diesel-powered pickup that previewed elements of the future Wrangler and hinted at Jeep’s return to the truck market. Shown at the Detroit Auto Show, it combined classic Jeep off-road style with pickup utility, featuring a unique extendable cargo bed that ranged from 5.5 feet to nearly 9 feet with the tailgate down.

The Gladiator was powered by a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine making 163 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. It had 13.7 inches of ground clearance and rode on 18-inch wheels with 265/75 R18 off-road tires.

Built on a unique platform, the Gladiator had rear-hinged half-doors for access to a small rear seating area. The interior also featured a pass-through hatch to the bed for longer cargo. The canvas roof could be folded back, and the spare tire was mounted on the side of the bed, with a storage compartment hidden beneath it.

Finished in a green and gray color scheme, the concept was a clear design and capability statement. Though it never entered production, the Gladiator name returned in 2018 on Jeep’s first production pickup in decades.