Trucks and SUVs

2025 Best Vehicle for Adventure: Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator

Whether you go off the beaten path regularly or just want to know you can, you need something that’s up to the task. That describes the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, which have earned their third win in a row as Best Vehicle for Adventure in the 2025 AutoTrader Awards.

That’s the decision of more than 20 of Canada’s top auto experts, who looked at every vehicle available to Canadian buyers in this segment and voted for the one that’s best for the job. 

The Wrangler SUV and Gladiator pickup are grouped together because they’re mechanical twins. While the Gladiator adds a truck bed, both trace their heritage to their original off-road military ancestors, and both are capable enough to get you out to the roughest stuff and then, even more importantly, get you home again.

The Wrangler offers considerable choice, with two- or four-door options – the latter known as the Wrangler Unlimited – and with hardtop or fabric roofs, including an available top that folds back at the touch of a button. There are also three engine choices: a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder making 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission; a 3.6L V6 making 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission; and in the performance Rubicon 392 trim, a 6.4L V8 making 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

There’s also the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which mates the 2.0L engine to a hybrid system. After it’s plugged in and charged, it’s rated for 35 kilometres on electricity alone, which can be saved if you want to drive silently and emissions-free once you get to the trails. When the stored charge depletes, the 4xe reverts to conventional self-charging hybrid operation, driving for as long as there’s gas in the tank without any range anxiety. The Gladiator uses the 3.5L V6 and mates it to an automatic transmission. Later in 2025, the pickup will also be offered with the 4xe PHEV system, marking the first time this model has been electrified.

All of these come with four-wheel drive (4WD), of course, and they’re all able to handle off-road trails with ease, and with transfer case choices that can go to a 4.0:1 low-range ratio that’ll get you through just about anything. Its rivals also have no trouble navigating difficult terrain, but our experts appreciate how it nimbly crawls over obstacles and tackles deep or soft surfaces. 

Our judges also like the interior in the Wrangler and Gladiator, with the combination of chunky styling, simple and intuitive buttons and dials, an old-school lever for the 4x4 settings, and a touch of high-tech, including a 12.3-inch infotainment screen equipped with the brand’s excellent Uconnect operating system. 

For the purists, the Wrangler comes with drain plugs so it can be thoroughly washed and cleaned after a day of mud-bogging. But some drivers want a Jeep just because it’s a Jeep and will seldom stray from the asphalt. For those people, the Wrangler and Gladiator can be equipped with such higher-end touches as power-adjustable leather-trimmed seats, Alpine stereo, Bluetooth wireless speaker, and auto-dimming mirror. The 4xe can also be equipped with a feature that includes four 120-volt outlets and up to 30 amps of total output for when camping turns to glamping.

All of the rugged, adventure-ready vehicles in this category are good, but our experts voted for the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator for their winning combination of iconic capability, performance, powertrain choices, and user-friendliness.