Punk’n Metallic Jeep Gladiator Rubicon test vehicle is a showcase of $12,400 in Jeep-Mopar accessories. Final price? $58,955
Starting at $45,370, the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is the pinnacle of Trail Rated features for adventuring. But the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of a new vehicle is as vague as a stoplight in Boston — a suggestion, at best.
To spark some red mist for the buyer — while ratcheting up the cost — manufacturers have aggressively pursued their catalogs of personalization and performance accessories. If you can imagine it, it’s probably offered or will be.
Jeep and Mopar have been masterful at providing factory-sanctioned upgrades that can be ordered with their new Jeep. And the upgrades are covered by the same new vehicle warranty protections.
Most new luxury cars or SUVs are bought with $10,000 in options or packages. And sometimes a package alone is $10,000, or more.
From unique paint colors to better leather, bigger wheels, lower-profile tires, crests, badges, colored seat belts, more gratuitous performance, LED lighting, and techno-marvelous infotainment systems to extended warranties, what the customer wants, the customer gets … for a price.
Jeep has long been a champion of choice with several versions of four-wheel-drive systems, soft and hard tops, street tires or adventure treads, audio and style perks.
And then there’s the Mopar catalog with more than 200 accessories. Mopar (MOtor PARts) is the parts, service, and primary accessory seller for Stellantis brands under the Mopar brand.
Jeep Performance Parts
Jeeps are basically a canvas and Jeep Performance Parts are the buyer’s paints for personalization. So far, there are 200 Mopar products available for the Gladiator.
I’ve just tested a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, the top-line off-roader, that had $12,400 in Jeep/Mopar performance parts.
At $45,370 the Gladiator Rubicon is the pinnacle of Trail Rated features, including the 4:1 Rock-Trac heavy-duty four-wheel-drive system (with an Off-Road Plus mode), locking front and rear axles, disconnecting front stabilizer bar, steel rock rails, and an appetite for adventuring.
For those serious about getting there and back in demanding off-road adventures, this is the rig to consider. But access doesn’t come cheaply.
With the Jeep Performance upgrades, by Chrysler FCA’s Mopar performance division, the tester had a sticker of $58,955, including the striking Punk’n Metallic paint ($245).
But there is a reprieve when buying new. The performance parts have the same basic, limited warranty as the vehicle — 3-years or 36,000-miles — and they can be rolled into the financing (with the cost of labor for parts installation).
The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon tester is a formidable pickup that includes city features. Commuters will value the adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go function in traffic and full-speed collision warning.
And this wide rig with a 44.8-foot turning circle benefited from the Jeep Active Safety Group, $895. The package adds blind-spot and cross-path detection and ParkSense rear park-assist system, which alerts to the nearness of an object.
The 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment touch screen is an upright and visible display for the rearview camera, with guidance lines. But it’s even better for the front-facing trail cam, $595.
JPP accessories
The tester also included $12,400 JPP accessories for:
- A 2-inch lift kit lift, $1,495. Created by Jeep engineers and Fox shocks so owners can add bigger tires and wheels.
- Military-grade 7-inch off-road LED lights, $725 two-light set. The lights have an 8,000-lumens output, each. Mounting brackets, $65
- Military-grade 5-inch LED, $475 two-light set. Add 4,800 lumens each. A-pillar mounting brackets, $145
- 2-inch grille/winch guard, $249
- Cold air intake, $445. Fresh air is drawn in through the hood cut-out to increase engine performance
- Cat-back exhaust, $1,250. Adds a loud tone and dual chrome tips
- Jeep logo valve stem caps, $60 for four
- Jeep logo hood latches, $60 a pair
- Door sill guards, 4-piece set $75. Composite and stainless-steel door sill guards feature the Gladiator logo.
- Beadlock-capable five-spoke wheels, $1,140 for four. Aluminum 17-inch wheels have five-spoke “gear” or five-spoke “slot” designs.
Pedal kit, $105. All-weather (slush) floor mats, $165.
Trail protection
- Tires. Mopar/FCA dealers have a “TireWorks program” that gives access to different tire brands. The dealer can source whatever brand, model, and size (up to 35 inches) the customer prefers depending on their intended use — whether on-road, off-road or a combination.
- Black satin grille, $325
- Heavy-duty rock rails, $950. To help slide across objects with high-centering potential. The heavy-gauge steel rock rails are thicker and wider than stock in a non-slip powder-coat finish.
- Tri-fold tonneau system, $950.
- Bed storage system, $1,295. A heavy-duty pair of lockable, sliding drawers (200-pound capacity) to secure gear, supplies and tools.
- Katzkin leather seats, $1,750. Embroidered with Jeep grille logo in Tungsten stitching.
- Mopar grab handles, $39 each for first and second rows. hard-secured for increased grip.
- Molle design storage bags, $145 set of three.
- Jeep logo all-weather (slush) floor mats, $165. Raised edges for added water and dirt retention.
- Metal ATX pedal covers, $105.
- Spray-on bedliner, $495.
Check the site for Jeep Performance Parts.
And read my first review of the Gladiator, “the mudder of midsize pickups” (July 14, 2019) here.
