2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Ford Ranger

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, starting with a Wrangler and extending its frame for enhanced towing and hauling capabilities. It featured a 5-foot cargo bed designed to maintain a good departure angle while offering the utility midsize pickup buyers needed. Initially, its appearance seemed odd, being tall, long, and narrow, especially with the Wrangler-based bodywork. However, driving the Gladiator, especially in off-road conditions, quickly endeared it to many. The 2021 model introduced new editions like the Willys special edition and the 80th Anniversary Edition, adding unique features and luxury touches. Pricing for the base model started at $33,545, but a fully equipped Overland trim with a turbo-diesel engine could reach $58,525.

The 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with the former having a six-foot bed and the latter a five-foot bed. Trim levels included XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our test truck, a SuperCrew Lariat with the Tremor Off-Road Package, was priced at $46,865. The Tremor package added unique 17-inch wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and off-road enhancements, giving the Ranger a purposeful look. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with Tremor-specific features like simulated suede seat inserts and all-weather floor mats made it the best-equipped Ranger available.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 engine, costing an additional $4,000. This engine produced 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 442 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 to 2,800 rpm, providing substantial low-end power and better fuel economy than the standard 3.6-liter gasoline V6. During testing, the diesel engine averaged 22.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimated 24 mpg. The Gladiator Sport could tow up to 7,650 pounds with the standard engine, while the diesel variant could tow between 6,000 and 6,500 pounds. Off-road, the diesel engine's torque made it highly capable, effortlessly tackling tough trails with the Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system. However, the Gladiator's steering was slow and sloppy, and the ride was stiff and jouncy, with plenty of wind noise on the freeway.

The 2021 Ford Ranger featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger Tremor included a Terrain Management System with various settings and an electronic locking rear differential. The Tremor's off-road suspension, with revised springs and Fox shocks, provided 9.7 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul up to 1,860 pounds, though the Tremor's payload capacity was reduced to 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy for the Tremor was rated at 19 mpg in combined driving, with our testing averaging 18.5 mpg. The Ranger's turbocharged engine offered swift acceleration and refined performance, making it enjoyable to drive both on and off-road.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator's interior was designed for utility rather than comfort. The seats provided adequate support, but the small door openings, snug seating positions, and cramped rear legroom required some adjustment. Side steps or rails, mounted high to preserve breakover angle, made entry and exit challenging. In-cabin storage included netting on the door panels, a small center console bin, cupholders, a dash-top tray, and an undersized glove compartment. The 5-foot cargo box held 35.5 cubic feet of cargo and featured multiple tie-down hooks, an adjustable tailgate, and optional accessories like a spray-in bedliner and tonneau covers. Payload ratings ranged from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured sturdy hoop-style step bars, which were mounted high for maximum clearance but limited their usefulness. The SecuriCode keyless entry pad allowed for convenient access without carrying the key. Inside, the eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat were comfortable and heated. Rear-seat space was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, though it lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. Storage included bins under the rear-seat cushion, though the design was inconvenient. The cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) and four tie-down hooks, with additional accessories available for customization.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator, while inherently old school, offered modern technology. The base Uconnect 3 system with a 5-inch display included Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio, but upgrading to the Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Uconnect 4C system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, included SiriusXM Guardian connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. The forward-facing Trail Cam, available with the Overland trim, was useful for off-road navigation.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. While Sync 3 was being phased out in favor of Sync 4, it remained competitive. However, voice recognition performance was inconsistent, sometimes providing incorrect responses to commands. The climate system was integrated with Sync 3, allowing for voice-activated temperature adjustments.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator's standard safety features included a reversing camera, with optional advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The test truck had all these features, with blind-spot monitoring being particularly useful. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Gladiator a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system included trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control was standard with Lariat trim. The Ranger also featured rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and a wiper de-icer system. The NHTSA gave the Ranger an overall rating of four stars, with a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it top scores, except for an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection and a "Marginal" rating for headlights.