The difference between the 2023 Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave is that the Rubicon is designed for rock crawling, and the Mojave is designed for high speed desert runs. Since the two cost the exact same, it really just comes down to what you are looking for in your Jeep Gladiator.
The Rubicon has always been the standard when it comes to rock crawling and is well known for its off-roading prowess. The Rubicon comes with a locking front and rear differentials with an electronic sway bar disconnect, 33 inch all terrain tires and steel off-road rock rails, and Part-time rock-trac 4:1 low transfer case with 84:1 crawl ratio. This all comes together to make for quite easily the most powerful off-roading pickup truck in the market right out of the box.
While the Mojave might not be as good as the Rubicon at climbing, the Mojave lives true to its name by being the one of the best, if not the best, desert racer you can get right out of the box. When you go to the Jeep website, the first thing Jeep says about the Gladiator Mojave is literally: Desert Rated Capability.
The Mojave is built from the ground up to be the best desert off-roader. It comes with Fox 2.5-inch internal, bypass shocks with external reservoirs and front hydraulic jounce bumpers, a locking rear differential, 1 inch front lift and cab rock rails, and 33 inch all terrain tires and high clearance fender flares. The Mojave is impressive in its own right, and the decision on your end largely comes down to whether you want a rock crawler, or a desert runner.