Skip to main content

Jeep could return to the battlefield with the toughened-up Gladiator XMT

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jeep built its reputation on the battlefields of World War II, so it’s fitting that a modern Jeep off-roader will wear a military uniform. The vehicle in question is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, the automaker’s recently-introduced midsize pickup truck. Because this is a military vehicle, the first thing Jeep did was add an acronym to the name. This truck is called the XMT, for Extreme Military-Grade Truck.

Recommended Videos

The Jeep Gladiator XMT was developed in concert with AM General. The company developed the Humvee, the vehicle that replaced the original Jeep in United States military service. AM General is still involved in defense projects. It decided that the Gladiator’s high tow and payload ratings made it a good basis for a military vehicle, according to a company press release.

Modifications included “both custom-built and commercially available military-grade parts,” according to AM General. Some of those modifications include a brush guard and tube doors that many civilian Gladiator owners would likely love to have on their trucks.

AM General said the Gladiator XMT could be offered with both gasoline and diesel engines, but did not offer any other details. Jeep currently sells the Gladiator with a 3.6-liter gasoline V6, making 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and plans to offer a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 beginning in calendar-year 2020, with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft. Tuner Hennessey shoehorned a 1,000-hp V8 into a Gladiator, but don’t expect that to be an option for military customers.

The Gladiator is the first production Jeep pickup truck since 1992, when the automaker stopped building the Cherokee-based Comanche. Just as that truck was based on an existing Jeep SUV, the Gladiator is based on the current-generation (code name JL) Wrangler. However, the Gladiator features a unique frame and rear suspension, as well as an upgraded cooling system, rear brakes, and axles to better cope with the stress of towing and hauling.

AM General and Jeep are currently gauging customer interest in the Gladiator XMT. Pending positive feedback, the military truck could go into production in 2020, AM General said. On the civilian side, Jeep is working on electrified vehicles, including a hybrid Wrangler and plug-in hybrid powertrains for its smaller models.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Waymo lays groundwork for robotaxi revolution
A Waymo car production line.

In recent years, Waymo has been edging toward its long-held goal of revolutionizing urban transportation by deploying a fully autonomous, scalable, and sustainable ride-hailing service. 

The Alphabet-owned company has just taken another step in that direction with the opening of a new vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with automaker Magna.

Read more
Ram resurrects 1500 Express trim as an affordable option
ram 1500 express return affordable 2026

Ram is revving up excitement with the return of an old favorite—the 2026 Ram 1500 Express. Reintroduced as a more affordable option in the full-size truck lineup, the Express trim brings back a combination of rugged style, respectable performance, and most importantly, a price tag that won’t send buyers running for the hills.

Starting at $41,105 for the base Quad Cab configuration (and just under $45,000 for the Crew Cab), the new Express offers a budget-friendly alternative in a market where full-size trucks can easily cross the $60,000 mark.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more