Jeep Gladiator Mojave Reviews: Is It The King Of The Desert?

James Wilkins

Aug 20, 2024 — 6 min read

Introduction

The Jeep Gladiator Mojave has carved a niche for itself in the world of off-road vehicles, particularly for those who crave adventure in the harshest desert conditions. As Jeep’s first-ever "Desert Rated" vehicle, the Mojave is designed to dominate sandy landscapes with an array of features that make it a top contender in its category. But does it truly deserve the title of the "King of the Desert"? In this review, we’ll explore the Gladiator Mojave’s design, performance, features, and overall value to see if it lives up to the expectations.

The Concept of Desert Rating

Before diving into the specifics of the Gladiator Mojave, it’s essential to understand what "Desert Rated" means. Unlike the well-known "Trail Rated" badge, which signifies a vehicle’s capability in rocky, muddy, and wet conditions, the "Desert Rated" badge is a mark of excellence in high-speed, hot, and sandy environments. This rating ensures that the vehicle can withstand extreme heat, cope with deep sand, maintain stability at high speeds on rough terrain, and provide a comfortable ride even when the desert gets tough.

Exterior Design: Built to Withstand the Elements

The exterior design of the Jeep Gladiator Mojave immediately sets it apart from the standard Gladiator models. It’s more than just a rugged appearance; every element is tailored to enhance performance in desert environments.

Reinforced Frame: The Mojave features a reinforced frame that provides increased durability. This is crucial when navigating uneven desert terrain, where the vehicle must withstand significant stress.
Aggressive Stance: With a 1-inch front suspension lift, the Mojave stands taller than its siblings, offering improved approach angles. This lift also accommodates the high-performance FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, which are essential for absorbing the harsh impacts of desert driving.
Specialized Tires: The Mojave is equipped with 33-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. These tires are specifically chosen for their ability to grip loose sand and navigate over rocks, providing the traction needed for desert driving.
Desert-specific Hood: The hood of the Mojave features a distinctive air scoop, which not only adds to its aggressive look but also helps keep the engine cool under extreme temperatures, a common challenge in desert environments.

Performance: Power and Precision in the Desert

When it comes to performance, the Jeep Gladiator Mojave is more than just a pretty face. It’s engineered to deliver power, control, and resilience in the harshest desert conditions.

Engine: The Mojave is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides ample power for both high-speed desert runs and slow, controlled navigation through rocky areas. The V6 engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that ensures smooth power delivery.
High-Performance Suspension: The FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs are the centerpiece of the Mojave’s suspension system. These shocks are designed to handle the intense demands of desert driving, offering better heat dissipation and more consistent performance. Additionally, the Mojave features a unique hydraulic jounce bumper, which acts as a secondary shock absorber to smooth out rough landings and reduce the impact on the vehicle’s chassis.
4x4 System: The Mojave’s 4x4 system includes a two-speed transfer case with a low-range gear ratio of 2.72:1, which provides the torque needed to crawl over obstacles and through deep sand. The locking rear differential ensures that power is evenly distributed to both rear wheels, maintaining traction in loose sand or on rocky terrain.
Selec-Speed Control: This feature allows the driver to set a consistent speed while navigating tricky terrain, similar to cruise control but designed for off-road conditions. It’s particularly useful when descending steep dunes or crawling over rocky sections of a desert trail.

Interior: Comfort Meets Functionality

While the exterior and performance capabilities of the Mojave are designed to tackle the desert, the interior is crafted to keep the occupants comfortable and in control.

Seating: The Mojave features premium cloth or leather-trimmed seats with orange accent stitching that matches the exterior Mojave badging. The seats are designed to provide maximum comfort during long drives in the desert, with added bolstering to keep occupants secure during rough rides.
Uconnect System: The Mojave comes equipped with the Uconnect infotainment system, featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. This system is crucial for staying connected and navigating remote desert areas where getting lost can be a significant concern.
Dual-Zone Climate Control: This feature ensures that the cabin remains comfortable regardless of the external temperature. In the desert, where temperatures can soar during the day and drop sharply at night, dual-zone climate control is more than a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Safety Features: The Mojave is equipped with a range of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning. These features add an extra layer of security, which is particularly important when driving in remote areas far from help.

Off-Road Capabilities: A True Desert Warrior

The Jeep Gladiator Mojave is not just about looking good—it’s built to perform. Its off-road capabilities are what truly define it as a "Desert Rated" vehicle.

Approach and Departure Angles: The Mojave’s enhanced approach (44.7 degrees) and departure (25.5 degrees) angles allow it to navigate steep dunes and rocky outcrops without scraping its undercarriage. These angles are critical in desert environments where obstacles can appear suddenly.
Ground Clearance: With 11.6 inches of ground clearance, the Mojave can easily clear most desert obstacles, including rocks, shrubs, and deep sand. This high clearance is complemented by the vehicle’s skid plates, which protect the underbody from damage.
Water Fording: Despite being designed for the desert, the Mojave is also capable of water fording up to 30 inches. This capability is essential when desert storms create temporary rivers or flash floods, ensuring that the vehicle can cross them without issue.
Desert-specific Features: The Mojave includes a Desert Rated badge that signifies its ability to handle intense heat, sand, and high-speed off-road conditions. This rating ensures that the Mojave can maintain stability and control, even at high speeds on loose surfaces.

Fuel Efficiency: Balancing Power with Economy

Off-road vehicles are not typically known for their fuel efficiency, but the Jeep Gladiator Mojave strikes a balance between power and economy.

MPG: The Mojave delivers an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. While not as efficient as smaller vehicles, these figures are respectable for a truck with such capabilities.
Fuel Tank Capacity: With a 22-gallon fuel tank, the Mojave offers a decent range, allowing drivers to explore remote desert areas without constant refueling. This range is critical when venturing far from civilization.

Pricing and Value: What You Get for Your Money

The Jeep Gladiator Mojave is positioned as a premium off-road vehicle, and its price reflects that.

Base Price: The starting price for the Gladiator Mojave is around $45,000, which places it in the higher end of the midsize truck segment. However, the extensive off-road features, high-quality materials, and advanced technology justify the cost.
Optional Packages: Jeep offers several optional packages for the Mojave, including advanced safety features, upgraded infotainment systems, and enhanced off-road equipment. These packages can quickly raise the price, but they also enhance the vehicle’s capabilities and comfort.
Resale Value: Jeeps, in general, have a strong resale value, and the Mojave is no exception. Its unique features and limited availability make it a sought-after model, which should help retain its value over time.

Competition: How the Mojave Stacks Up

The Jeep Gladiator Mojave faces stiff competition from other off-road vehicles in the market, but it holds its own thanks to its specialized features.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: The Tacoma TRD Pro is another popular choice among off-road enthusiasts. While it offers strong performance and reliability, it doesn’t match the Mojave’s desert-specific enhancements like the FOX shocks and Desert Rated badge.
Ford Ranger Tremor: The Ford Ranger Tremor is a formidable competitor with a powerful engine and advanced off-road technology. However, the Mojave’s superior ground clearance and specialized desert tuning give it an edge in sandy environments.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: The Colorado ZR2 is well-regarded for its off-road capabilities, particularly its Multimatic DSSV dampers. Yet, the Mojave’s combination of high-speed stability and desert readiness makes it more suitable for desert adventures.

Conclusion: The King of the Desert?

So, is the Jeep Gladiator Mojave truly the king of the desert? With its Desert Rated certification, high-performance suspension, powerful engine, and specialized features, it’s certainly a top contender. The Mojave excels in the environments it was designed for, offering a unique blend of ruggedness, power, and comfort. Whether you’re a desert-dwelling adventurer or someone who simply wants a capable and distinctive off-road vehicle, the Jeep Gladiator Mojave is worth serious consideration.

While the title of "King of the Desert" might be subjective, there’s no denying that the Mojave stands tall in its category. It’s a vehicle that not only meets the demands of desert driving but does so with style, capability, and the backing of Jeep’s off-road legacy. If conquering the desert