2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, derived from the Wrangler but extended and reinforced for enhanced towing and hauling capabilities. It featured a compact 5-foot cargo bed, designed to maintain a favourable departure angle while offering the utility expected by midsize pickup buyers. Initially, its appearance seemed unconventional, with its tall, long, and narrow build, especially when paired with the Wrangler-inspired bodywork. However, driving the Gladiator, particularly in remote locations with the top down, revealed its charm. The 2021 model introduced a new Willys grade with distinctive features like a blacked-out grille and 32-inch all-terrain tires, while the High Altitude luxury model offered body-colour detailing and premium Nappa leather. Pricing for the Gladiator Sport S started at $49,315, but our test model, equipped with Overland trim and a turbo-diesel engine, totalled $77,475. The interior, though luxurious with leather upholstery and advanced infotainment, remained rugged, emphasizing durability over comfort.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma embodied the quintessential truck design, with boxy fender flares, a tall hood, and a shield-like grille, offering a stark contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM midsize twins. Certain models, like the Nightshade Edition and TRD Pro, boasted unique styling elements, such as blacked-out trim and model-specific grilles. The Tacoma retained a body-on-frame construction, favouring towing and off-road capability over ride comfort. It was available in Access Cab and Double Cab configurations, with varying wheelbases and bed lengths. The interior mirrored the rugged exterior, with durable materials suitable for a base model but less justifiable at the TRD Pro's higher price point. Despite its focus on off-roading, the Tacoma offered a quiet cabin, though ride quality and acceleration were less impressive.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered a new 3.0-litre EcoDiesel turbo-diesel V6 engine, priced at an additional $9,190 in Canada, alongside the existing 3.6-litre Pentastar gasoline V6. The diesel engine produced 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, providing significant low-end power and improved fuel efficiency. During testing, it averaged 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 9.8 L/100 km. The Gladiator Sport S could tow up to 3,469 kilograms with the standard engine, but the diesel's towing capacity was limited to 2,720 to 2,948 kilograms due to cooling restrictions. Despite this, the diesel excelled in off-road conditions, with its torque readily available at low RPMs. The Gladiator's driving experience was characterized by slow steering, a stiff ride, and wind noise, but these quirks added to its appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, with both 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions available. The TRD models enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro package further included Fox shocks and a front skid plate. While the Tacoma excelled off-road, its on-road performance was more traditional, with less car-like handling than competitors. The TRD Pro's cabin was quiet, but ride quality and acceleration were lacking, partly due to the automatic transmission's reluctance to shift. The Tacoma's towing capacity reached 2,948 kilograms, with a maximum payload of 571 kg, though these figures varied by configuration.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort, with agreeable seats but limited cabin space. Small door openings, snug seating positions, and cramped rear legroom required adjustment. Side steps or rails, while preserving breakover angle, complicated entry and exit. In-cabin storage included netting, a small centre console bin, and a locking storage bin under the rear seat. The Gladiator's 1,531 mm steel cargo box held 1,005 litres of cargo and featured an adjustable tailgate for accommodating plywood sheets. Payload ratings varied from 487 to 696 kilograms, depending on trim and engine.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab offered limited interior space, with rear headroom and legroom among the worst in its segment. The front also lacked headroom, creating a bunker-like feel, and the tall hood impaired visibility. Rear seats folded to reveal storage cubbies, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed lacked clever storage solutions but included a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an optional 120-volt outlet. The bed was made from sheet-molded composite, a lightweight, rust-resistant material.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator combined old-school charm with modern technology. The Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen was standard, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The High Country trim featured the Uconnect 4C system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, paired with an Alpine premium sound system. While user-friendly, the system showed signs of aging with slow response times. The forward-facing Trail Cam was a valuable addition for off-road navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's base model included a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured an 8-inch display. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with SiriusXM available on higher trims. A JBL audio system was optional. The infotainment system was functional but unremarkable, with plain graphics and basic features. The TRD Pro's Multi-Terrain Monitor was useful for off-road and parking maneuvers.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered basic safety features, including a reversing camera, with optional advanced driving assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score for the passenger-side small overlap front test. Headlight ratings varied, but front-crash prevention earned a "Superior" rating. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.