2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 showcased a design that was both confident and restrained, avoiding the aggressive styling trends of its competitors. Its clean lines and blocky grille provided a timeless look that would remain appealing even as the truck aged. Inside, the F-150 featured a straightforward, mechanical-looking dashboard that came to life upon startup. While the lower trims were dominated by hard plastics, the more luxurious trims introduced soft-touch materials and leather, though they still fell short of the luxury offered by the Ram 1500. The F-150 focused on durability, with a cabin designed to withstand wear and tear.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, derived from the Wrangler but with a stretched and fortified frame for towing and hauling. Its design was initially jarring, appearing tall, long, and narrow, but it grew on drivers, especially when taken off-road. The Gladiator's interior was nearly identical to the Wrangler's, with modifications to the rear seating area. It emphasized utility and purpose, featuring durable materials and Jeep's signature Easter eggs. The Gladiator's cabin was snug, with small door openings and limited rear legroom, but it offered a sense of exclusivity and adventure.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 3.3-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The lineup also included a 2.7-litre turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, a 5.0-litre V8 with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft, and a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 delivering 375 hp and 470 lb-ft. Additionally, a 3.0-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 was available, producing 250 hp and 440 lb-ft. The F-150 excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 5,987 kilograms (12,300 pounds) when properly equipped. The Raptor variant stood out with its off-road capabilities, featuring a lifted suspension and specialized drive modes.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator introduced a new 3.0-litre EcoDiesel turbo-diesel V6 option, producing 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine offered substantial low-end grunt and improved fuel efficiency compared to the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar gasoline V6. The Gladiator's towing capacity reached up to 3,469 kilograms (7,650 pounds) with the standard engine, while the diesel variant managed 2,720 to 2,948 kilograms (6,000-6,500 pounds). The Gladiator excelled off-road, with its diesel engine providing ample torque for challenging trails. However, its on-road performance was less refined, with a stiff ride and wind noise on highways.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered three cab sizes—Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew—and three bed sizes, ranging from 5-and-a-half to 8 feet. The SuperCrew stood out for its spacious cabin, providing ample rear legroom and a versatile load floor. The F-150 featured numerous storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a large centre console bin. A bed step facilitated access to the cargo area, though GM's corner bed steps offered a simpler solution.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort, with agreeable seats but limited rear legroom and snug seating positions. Entering and exiting the Gladiator was challenging, especially with side steps or rails. In-cabin storage included netting on door panels, a small centre console bin, and a locking storage bin under the rear seat. The Gladiator's 1,531 mm (5-foot) steel cargo box offered 1,005 litres of cargo space and featured an adjustable tailgate for accommodating larger items.

The 2020 Ford F-150's technology offerings varied by trim. The base XL trim featured a basic AM/FM radio, while the XLT added the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and enhanced voice recognition. Higher trims offered a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, providing premium audio quality. FordPass with a 4G Wi-Fi modem was available, allowing remote vehicle access and status checks.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator featured the Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The High Country trim offered the Uconnect 4C system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, along with an Alpine premium sound system. While the Uconnect 4C was user-friendly, it showed signs of aging with slower response times. The Gladiator also offered a forward-facing Trail Cam for off-road navigation.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came equipped with standard safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite offered advanced driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The F-150 SuperCrew received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator's standard safety features were limited to a reversing camera, but advanced driving assistance systems were available, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Gladiator received a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.