2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique blend of ruggedness and utility, derived from the iconic Wrangler. Jeep extended and reinforced the Wrangler's frame to create a midsize pickup with a 5-foot cargo bed, maintaining a balance between utility and off-road capability. Its design was unconventional, appearing tall, long, and narrow, which initially seemed odd but grew on drivers, especially when exploring remote areas with the top down. The Gladiator introduced a new Willys grade with off-road enhancements and a High Altitude luxury model, offering a range of trims to suit different preferences. Pricing for the Gladiator started at $49,315, with our test model, equipped with the Overland trim and a turbo-diesel engine, reaching $77,475.

Inside, the Gladiator's cabin mirrored the Wrangler's, emphasizing durability and practicality. The interior featured durable materials, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a top-tier infotainment system. Despite its rugged nature, the Gladiator offered a sense of exclusivity with Jeep Easter eggs and the Jeep Wave. The cabin's design focused on utility, with a manual transfer case lever and rubber-sealed touchscreen surround, making it a vehicle ready for adventure.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of configurations, with three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels. Our test truck featured a crew cab, short bed, and LTZ trim, equipped with a 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel engine. The Silverado's design was boxy and commanding, with Northsky Blue paint, chrome trim, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. However, the interior fell short, with dated aesthetics, glossy plastic, and small infotainment screens, lacking the finesse expected in a modern truck.

Despite its shortcomings, the Silverado's interior provided ample space, with wide, supportive front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat accommodated three adults comfortably, offering generous headroom and legroom. Storage options were plentiful but lacked innovation, with dual dashboard glove compartments and a locking storage compartment under the rear seat. The Silverado's cargo bed was deep and roomy, featuring a remote power-down tailgate and multiple tie-down hooks.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator introduced a new 3.0-litre EcoDiesel turbo-diesel V6 engine, offering 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided substantial low-end power and improved fuel efficiency, averaging 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Gladiator's towing capacity reached 3,469 kilograms with the standard engine, while the diesel variant towed between 2,720 and 2,948 kilograms. Off-road, the diesel engine excelled, delivering torque at low revs, making it ideal for challenging trails. However, the Gladiator's steering was slow, and the ride was stiff, with wind noise on highways.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a 6.2-litre Ecotec3 V8 engine for maximum towing capacity, but the Duramax turbodiesel was a standout option. Priced at $1,995, it delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, achieving 9.6 L/100 km in combined driving. The Duramax's towing capacity increased to 4,309 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 848 kilograms. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax provided smooth acceleration. The Silverado's suspension was firm but allowed body movement on highways, and the Z71 Off-Road Package improved handling.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort, with agreeable seats but cramped rear legroom and small door openings. Side steps or rails were challenging to use, and in-cabin storage was limited. The Gladiator's cargo box held 1,005 litres, with an adjustable tailgate and multiple tie-down hooks. Payload ratings varied from 487 to 696 kilograms, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab offered a spacious interior with wide, supportive front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage options included dual dashboard glove compartments and a locking storage compartment under the rear seat. The Silverado's cargo bed was deep and roomy, featuring a remote power-down tailgate and multiple tie-down hooks.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator featured the Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The High Country trim included the Uconnect 4C system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation. The system was user-friendly but showed signs of aging, with slow response times. The forward-facing Trail Cam was a valuable addition for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's Infotainment System 3 impressed with quick loading times and modern graphics. The LTZ trim featured an 8-inch HD display, Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose premium sound system. The system was easy to use, with stereo volume and tuning knobs. The Silverado offered a head-up display and multiple high-definition cameras for improved visibility.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered basic safety features, including a reversing camera. Advanced driving assistance systems were available, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA rated the Gladiator with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap collision. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with four-star frontal-impact results. Safety features included forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control and a Safety Alert Seat.