2022 Toyota Tacoma vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, was beginning to show its age despite a facelift in 2020. Its exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the interior revealed its dated design. The cabin featured a mix of modern elements like keyless entry and push-button start, alongside older buttons and switchgear. The use of hard plastics and chintzy surfaces further highlighted its aging design. In Canada, the Tacoma was available in various configurations, including access and double cabs, with manual or automatic transmissions. It offered a range of packages from the standard model to the TRD Pro, each adding features like alloy wheels, sport suspensions, and advanced off-road capabilities.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator retained its rugged charm with minimal changes, introducing a new paint colour and added standard equipment for specific models. The Gladiator Mojave, designed for high-speed desert driving, featured Fox shocks, a suspension lift, and all-terrain tires. Its interior mirrored the Wrangler's, with easy-to-clean materials and practical storage solutions. The Gladiator's design allowed for a removable top and doors, enhancing its off-road appeal. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Gladiator offered a sense of quality with orange detailing and fabric seats. However, its extended wheelbase and frame, necessary for pickup duties, gave it a unique, albeit unconventional, appearance.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and a payload capacity of 583 kilograms. While the V6 provided decent acceleration in urban settings, it struggled on highways due to its transmission gearing. The Tacoma excelled off-road, especially in the TRD Pro variant, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing its trail capabilities.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine choices: a 3.6-litre V6 with 285 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Gladiator's Command-Trac 4WD system was standard, with options for Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac systems on specific models. The Mojave variant, equipped with the gas V6, demonstrated impressive off-road prowess, thanks to its Fox shocks and suspension setup. However, the Gladiator's on-road performance was marred by noise and steering imprecision, though it handled urban environments with ease.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered two cab styles: Access Cab and Double Cab, with bed lengths of five feet and six feet one inch. The Access Cab's rear seats were cramped, suitable for short trips or additional storage, while the Double Cab provided slightly better rear-seat space. The front seats offered ample legroom, but the steering wheel's limited adjustment posed challenges for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed featured practical elements like in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator's crew cab configuration provided adequate rear-seat space for adults, with supportive seating and rear air vents. However, the plastic front seatback panels could cause discomfort for taller passengers. The Gladiator's cargo box, though lacking depth, offered features like a spray-in bedliner, tonneau cover, and adjustable tie-downs. Additional storage solutions included netting, cupholders, and a storage bin under the rear seat.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth compatibility, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen and SiriusXM radio. The system's simplicity and familiarity were its strengths, though the wireless charger required manual activation. The Tacoma's tech offerings were basic, aligning with its rugged, active lifestyle appeal.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator, despite its rugged appearance, offered advanced tech features. The standard 7-inch Uconnect system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An optional 8.4-inch system added navigation, connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Gladiator's tech suite also included Off-Road Pages and a TrailCam for off-road enthusiasts. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, and some features required additional packages.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered limited standard safety features, with optional packages adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Gladiator's NHTSA ratings included a four-star frontal-impact protection score, but its headlights received marginal ratings from the IIHS.