2020 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator made quite an impression when it first hit the roads. On a warm day in Los Angeles, the Firecracker Red Gladiator Overland turned heads and sparked conversations everywhere it went. People were eager to photograph and film the new truck, making it a spectacle on the Pacific Coast Highway. Despite its popularity, not everyone was a fan of its design, as evidenced by a neighbor's blunt comment about its appearance. The Gladiator came in four trims: Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon, all equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Prices ranged from $33,545 for the base Sport to $43,545 for the Rubicon, with additional costs for options like an automatic transmission and a hardtop.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty took the rugged looks of the F-150 to a new level. Larger and more muscular, the Super Duty trucks were built for heavy-duty tasks, featuring long bed lengths and tall ride heights for better ground clearance. The trucks boasted giant grilles, heavy-duty bumpers, and durable bodywork designed to withstand daily wear and tear. Depending on the cab configuration, the Super Duty's interior ranged from utilitarian to luxurious, with higher trims offering leather and upscale finishes. The base XL trim provided good headroom and legroom but was otherwise a stripped-down work truck.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, performed admirably on the road. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and quick acceleration. However, towing a 5,000-pound trailer and ski boat revealed some limitations, especially on hills. Off-road, the Rubicon trim excelled with its Rock-Trac 4WD system, 84:1 crawl ratio, and various off-road features. The Overland trim, while less intense, still managed rocky trails with ease. The Gladiator's steering was slow and vague, and the live-axle suspension made for a bumpy ride on bad pavement. Fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an observed average of 20.3 mpg over 600 highway miles.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered three powerful engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 with 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, a 7.3-liter V8 with 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine with 475 hp and an impressive 1,050 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Super Duty trucks came standard with rear-wheel drive but could be upgraded to four-wheel drive. The F-350 model could be ordered with a dual-rear-wheel configuration for better towing capacity, reaching over 36,000 pounds with a gooseneck setup. The Tremor models offered factory lift kits and beefy tires for off-road capability. Fuel economy ratings were not available, but heavy towing and hauling would significantly reduce mpg levels.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed was designed to hold 95% of motorcycle designs with the tailgate down. Maximum payload was 1,600 pounds, and the tailgate's step load rating was 1,800 pounds. The bed was shallow, making it easy to reach over the side. The Gladiator Overland featured heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable black cloth upholstery. The cab offered plenty of room, with high front seats and ample rear seat space. Various storage bins and nets were available, and the dashboard had a grab handle for the front passenger. The Gladiator could be used as a convertible, with options for a soft top or a removable hardtop.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty, despite its focus on utility, offered plenty of creature comforts. The front seats came in a 40/20/40 folding bench setup, providing a comfortable armrest with cupholders. Crew Cab and Super Cab models had generous rear seats with easy access through large doors. However, the truck's size made parking and maneuvering difficult, and the tall ride height complicated entry and exit. The Super Duty's tailgate could be optioned with steps and a handle for easy bed access, though it wasn't as elaborate as those on Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered basic but useful technology features. Bluetooth was standard, and the mid-level Uconnect 4 system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The top infotainment system, available on the Overland trim, featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. SiriusXM Guardian connected services were also included, offering remote access to vehicle functions and emergency assistance. The Uconnect system was user-friendly, with responsive inputs and large on-screen buttons. An exclusive feature was a removable Bluetooth speaker stored behind the back seat.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty featured the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, known for its easy-to-navigate menus. The base XL trim had a non-touch display, while higher trims offered a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional tech options included a WiFi hotspot, heated and ventilated seats, and adjustable upfitter switches for accessories. Diesel-equipped trucks could be fitted with a rapid heating unit to quickly warm the cabin.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional Active Safety and Advanced Safety Groups. The Active Safety Group included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking-assist sensors, and LED taillights. The Advanced Safety Group added adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. The Gladiator's crash protection was uncertain due to a lack of testing data, and it lacked automatic emergency braking, resulting in a conservative safety score.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered various safety packages and options. A trailer tow package included special camera views and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Other available features were blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision alerts. As commercial vehicles, Super Duty trucks were not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.