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I've owned a Wrangler Unlimited (2012 JKU) and traded a 2022 Gladiator Mojave for a zero option, 2025 4Runner SR5 2WD.
My Gladiator was great in a lot of ways, but the transmission bricked my car a little over a year ago, then again 3 weeks ago, and then again this past Wednesday afternoon.
I'd gotten it back from them Wednesday morning.
In addition, the warranty is out next week. When it died 3 weeks ago, I started researching what to get next in case I felt like that was necessary. I pretty quickly settled on a new 4Runner, which as we all know means waiting months. I was offered the chance to reserve one, but the wait was going to be 4+ months according to the sales guy. When the Gladiator died again, I knew waiting that long could be a very expensive idea.
So, I drove my loaner Ram 1500 to the Toyota dealer to see if a used something or a new Tacoma could do the job. With two kids and a dog, I was hoping for an SUV for trip reasons. I parked near the Tacomas and walked towards one. The salesman said hi behind me, I turned around, and there she was: a 2025 Ice Cap SR5.
I assumed it would be sold already, so I just asked if I could buy it and he said it was available and had just arrived on the truck 2 hours prior! I told him I'd buy it, but I wanted to test drive it first just in case.
When I had it all wrapped up but the signatures, the Jeep dealer called and told me my Gladiator was ready to go so I negotiated a trade on that (and got more than Carvana's likely fake offer, when accounting for tax savings). I then drove the Toyota sales guy in the loaner Ram to the Jeep dealer to pick up my Gladiator. They low-balled me at the Jeep dealer (shocking I know), I laughed and said no thanks. Then we drove the Jeep to Toyota and I took the 4Runner home.
It was a great buying experience. They never tried to add any costs to me whatsoever. Zero markup, zero extended warranty, etc.
As for reviewing, it handles like a sports car compared to the Gladiator and my wife's Suburban. Before the Gladiator I had a Tesla Model Y, and before that a BMW 328i. The BMW is amazing to drive, obviously, but I think this handles as well as the Y if you account for it riding a little higher. The Gladiator Mojave is smoother, but the Fox shocks will do that for you. I averaged about 16 mpg in a stock Mojave, and so far I've been between 19.5 and 22.5. I think I'll end up a little over 20 mpg in daily driving. That's a welcome change, even if it isn't a Prius.
I did give up 4WD. That's my only complaint. They should only make these with 4WD, but I bought what they had when they shouldn't have had it, and I hope to send my son to college in this vehicle in 5.5 years.
I can't exactly explain it, but you can tell the vehicle is built to higher standards than the Jeep. I know that won't surprise Toyota fans, but it's clearly evident. The tolerances are tighter for every piece, inside and out. It feels more solid, although to be fair the Gladiator is purposely not solid with it's removable roof and doors.
As for the tech, I have Autopilot again without the Tesla. I've already let it drive me hands free down the highway (while ready to take over because I'm not an idiot). Is it the best off-road? No. Is it the best on-road? No. Does it have the best technology? No.
Is it the best marriage or all of those things, with a sticker of $42k before GST adds their stuff? Yes, without a doubt.
My Gladiator was great in a lot of ways, but the transmission bricked my car a little over a year ago, then again 3 weeks ago, and then again this past Wednesday afternoon.
I'd gotten it back from them Wednesday morning.
In addition, the warranty is out next week. When it died 3 weeks ago, I started researching what to get next in case I felt like that was necessary. I pretty quickly settled on a new 4Runner, which as we all know means waiting months. I was offered the chance to reserve one, but the wait was going to be 4+ months according to the sales guy. When the Gladiator died again, I knew waiting that long could be a very expensive idea.
So, I drove my loaner Ram 1500 to the Toyota dealer to see if a used something or a new Tacoma could do the job. With two kids and a dog, I was hoping for an SUV for trip reasons. I parked near the Tacomas and walked towards one. The salesman said hi behind me, I turned around, and there she was: a 2025 Ice Cap SR5.
I assumed it would be sold already, so I just asked if I could buy it and he said it was available and had just arrived on the truck 2 hours prior! I told him I'd buy it, but I wanted to test drive it first just in case.
When I had it all wrapped up but the signatures, the Jeep dealer called and told me my Gladiator was ready to go so I negotiated a trade on that (and got more than Carvana's likely fake offer, when accounting for tax savings). I then drove the Toyota sales guy in the loaner Ram to the Jeep dealer to pick up my Gladiator. They low-balled me at the Jeep dealer (shocking I know), I laughed and said no thanks. Then we drove the Jeep to Toyota and I took the 4Runner home.
It was a great buying experience. They never tried to add any costs to me whatsoever. Zero markup, zero extended warranty, etc.
As for reviewing, it handles like a sports car compared to the Gladiator and my wife's Suburban. Before the Gladiator I had a Tesla Model Y, and before that a BMW 328i. The BMW is amazing to drive, obviously, but I think this handles as well as the Y if you account for it riding a little higher. The Gladiator Mojave is smoother, but the Fox shocks will do that for you. I averaged about 16 mpg in a stock Mojave, and so far I've been between 19.5 and 22.5. I think I'll end up a little over 20 mpg in daily driving. That's a welcome change, even if it isn't a Prius.
I did give up 4WD. That's my only complaint. They should only make these with 4WD, but I bought what they had when they shouldn't have had it, and I hope to send my son to college in this vehicle in 5.5 years.
I can't exactly explain it, but you can tell the vehicle is built to higher standards than the Jeep. I know that won't surprise Toyota fans, but it's clearly evident. The tolerances are tighter for every piece, inside and out. It feels more solid, although to be fair the Gladiator is purposely not solid with it's removable roof and doors.
As for the tech, I have Autopilot again without the Tesla. I've already let it drive me hands free down the highway (while ready to take over because I'm not an idiot). Is it the best off-road? No. Is it the best on-road? No. Does it have the best technology? No.
Is it the best marriage or all of those things, with a sticker of $42k before GST adds their stuff? Yes, without a doubt.
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