2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

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 from a midsize pickup. Initially, its appearance seemed unconventional, with its tall, long, and narrow build, especially when combined with the Wrangler-inspired bodywork. However, driving the Gladiator, particularly in remote locations with the top down, revealed its charm and appeal. 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 the Overland trim and a turbo-diesel engine, reached a total of $77,475. The interior, though rugged, was enhanced with heated seats, leather upholstery, and advanced infotainment systems, maintaining the Gladiator's off-road essence.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, despite being a groundbreaking electric vehicle, maintained a familiar appearance akin to other F-150 models. Available in XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trims in Canada, the Lightning featured a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed. Its distinguishing features included a prominent LED headlight bar and a faux grille, with subtle differences in the rear design. Inside, the Lightning offered ample space, with front-seat legroom of 111.5 cm and rear-seat legroom of 110.7 cm, surpassing many two-row crossovers. The interior materials were of good quality, with ergonomic design honed over decades of F-Series production. Our Lariat-trim test vehicle boasted a panoramic sunroof, extensive power outlets, and ventilated seats, enhancing comfort and convenience. The Lightning's interior work surface feature, allowing the centre console to transform into a workspace, proved practical for various tasks.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator introduced a new 3.0-litre EcoDiesel turbo-diesel V6 engine, offering 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. This engine option, priced at $9,190 in Canada, provided substantial low-end power and improved fuel efficiency compared to the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar gasoline V6. During testing, the diesel engine averaged 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 9.8 L/100 km. The Gladiator Sport S, with the standard engine, could tow up to 3,469 kilograms and haul up to 771 kg of payload. However, the diesel powertrain had lower towing capacity due to engine-cooling restrictions but excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its torque and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system. The Gladiator's driving experience was characterized by slow steering, a stiff ride, and wind noise, but these quirks added to its rugged charm.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, powered by dual electric motors, delivered 426 horsepower with the standard range battery and 563 horsepower with the extended range battery, along with an impressive 775 lb-ft of torque. All Lightning models featured all-wheel drive, enhancing their capability. The standard-range battery offered a range of 370 kilometres, while the extended-range battery increased it to 515 kilometres. The Lightning's acceleration was rapid, and its low centre of gravity improved handling, though it remained a heavy vehicle. The independent rear suspension, a departure from traditional leaf springs, was designed to accommodate the battery packs. Charging options included 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, with fast-charging capabilities allowing the battery to reach 80% in under 45 minutes.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort, with agreeable seats but limited cabin space. The small door openings, snug seating positions, and cramped rear legroom required adjustment. Side steps or rails, though intended for off-road use, 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 5-foot steel cargo box offered 1,005 litres of cargo space, with tie-down hooks and an adjustable tailgate for versatility. Payload ratings varied based on trim and engine, with a maximum of 696 kilograms.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, as a pickup truck, offered substantial functionality. Its 5.5-foot bed featured numerous tie-down points, and the front trunk, or "Mega Power Frunk," provided an additional 400 litres of storage space. The Lightning's Ford Intelligent Backup Power feature allowed it to serve as a backup generator, capable of powering a household for three days. The truck's towing capacity reached 4,535 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 907 kilograms, though these figures could impact driving range. Onboard scales helped manage payload weight and adjust range estimates accordingly.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator, while traditional in design, incorporated modern technology. The Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen was standard, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The High Country trim featured the Uconnect 4C system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, along with an optional Alpine premium sound system. Despite its user-friendly interface, the system's technology showed signs of aging, with slow load times and specific voice recognition prompts. The forward-facing Trail Cam, available on the Rubicon trim, aided off-road navigation.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning boasted advanced technology, with all trims featuring at least a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 with navigation. The Lariat and Platinum trims offered a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen, though its layout could be confusing. The Lariat trim included a Bang & Olufsen stereo, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lightning's infotainment system also featured games, providing entertainment during charging sessions.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered basic safety features, including a reversing camera. Depending on the trim, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring were available. Our test truck included these features, with adaptive cruise control performing well on the freeway. The Gladiator received a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came equipped with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Additional features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist and a forward sensing system were available. The Lariat trim offered Ford BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system with a driver-facing camera for safety.