2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced new Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, enhancing the already premium Denali and AT4 trims. With eight trim levels, the Sierra offered a robust lineup, including Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate. The Sierra's design updates, such as a wider-looking grille and new split-C headlights, gave it a more aggressive appearance compared to the Silverado. The Denali's grille featured a "tri-linear" theme with chunky chrome inserts, while the Denali Ultimate had dark-coloured "Vader bars." New 22-inch wheel designs and three premium paint options further enhanced its exterior appeal. Inside, the Sierra's cabin felt more spacious, with a redesigned dash and premium materials in the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator saw minimal changes, with a new High Velocity Yellow paint colour and added standard equipment for the Willys model. The Canadian lineup included six trims, from Sport S to High Altitude. Our test truck, the Gladiator Mojave, was equipped for high-speed desert driving with features like Fox shocks, a front suspension lift, and all-terrain tires. The Gladiator's unique attributes included a removable top, doors, and a diesel engine option, making it a standout in the midsize pickup segment. Its design, based on the Wrangler, featured a longer wheelbase and frame, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the Gladiator's cabin was basic but functional, with easy-to-clean materials and practical storage solutions.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including a 2.7L turbo four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and a 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six with 277 hp. The diesel engine boasted a class-leading 460 lb-ft of torque, with towing capacities reaching up to 5,987 kilograms for 2WD models. The Sierra's V8 options included a 5.3-litre engine with 355 hp and a 6.2L Ecotec3 V8 with 420 hp. The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD provided a smooth and comfortable ride, while the AT4X excelled in off-road conditions with its Multimatic DSSV dampers and e-locking differentials.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine choices: a 3.6-litre V6 with 285 hp and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 with 260 hp. The diesel engine provided 442 lb-ft of torque but had lower towing capabilities. The Gladiator's off-road prowess was evident in the Mojave trim, which featured Fox shocks and a locking rear differential. While the Gladiator excelled in off-road environments, its on-road performance was less refined, with noticeable cabin noise and steering slop at higher speeds. However, the Mojave's suspension upgrades made it more enjoyable to drive in urban settings.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a spacious and versatile interior, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. Front headroom measured 1,093 mm, while rear-seat legroom varied between 894 mm and 1,102 mm, depending on the cab configuration. The Sierra's cabin featured numerous storage compartments, though the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The driver-oriented cockpit had a low centreline, with screens and controls positioned lower than expected, leading to longer eye movements from the road.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator's interior required some practice to navigate, especially when entering or exiting the rear seats. The crew cab's narrow rear doors and optional side steps could be cumbersome. The manually adjustable driver's seat was comfortable but required frequent readjustment. The rear seats offered good legroom and air conditioning vents, though taller passengers might find the plastic front seatback panels uncomfortable. The Gladiator's cargo box, while lacking depth, featured useful enhancements like a spray-in bedliner and a Trail Rail Management System.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system on most trims. The system included Google built-in, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 15-inch multicolour head-up display. The infotainment screen was fast and responsive, though navigating between maps could be confusing. The Sierra also offered a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system and wireless charging on higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator, despite its rugged appearance, offered modern technology features. The standard 7-inch touchscreen Uconnect 4 system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An optional 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot was available. The Gladiator also featured an Off-Road+ driving mode and a TrailCam forward-facing camera. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, and the infotainment system's response to commands was inconsistent.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system available on the Denali Ultimate trim. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving with automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra also featured GMC Pro Safety, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS but had a "Marginal" grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a "Poor" grade for headlights.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator came with basic standard safety features, with optional Safety and Advanced Safety Groups adding technologies like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Gladiator earned a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, indicating average performance. Crash testing was incomplete, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection from the NHTSA and "Marginal" headlight ratings from the IIHS.