2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a more restrained, confident design. This vehicle emphasized clean lines and a blocky grille that never felt overbearing. Unlike its more aggressive rivals like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the F-150 captured a timeless appeal. Even several owners down the line, this truck was poised to maintain its stylish edge.

Inside, the F-150 featured a straightforward and mechanical-looking dash that initially felt cold and uninviting before startup. Once the dash and infotainment screen illuminated, however, it brought the cabin to life. Lower-tier trims were characterized by hard plastics, while the higher-end trims introduced soft-touch materials and leather, though it never reached the luxury of the Ram 1500. The interior emphasized durability over opulence, ready to withstand substantial wear and tear.

The trim levels ranged from the basic XL, with essentials like air conditioning and steel wheels, to the opulent Limited trim with 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, premium leather upholstery, and a dual-panel moonroof. Each trim provided additional features geared towards varied consumer needs, from the utilitarian Raptor and its off-road prowess to the luxurious King Ranch and Platinum trims featuring premium sound systems and massaging seats.

In comparison, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator began with Wrangler-inspired design elements, stretched and fortified to include a 5-foot cargo bed without sacrificing off-road capabilities. The vehicle looked slightly odd at first—tall, long, and narrow—but quickly grew on drivers, particularly those who enjoyed off-road adventures with an open air feel.

This year, new trims like the Willys special edition and the 80th Anniversary Edition marked a fresh infusion of design elements, ranging from blacked-out grilles to special badges and materials. Meanwhile, the High Altitude luxury model added body-colored detailing and premium Nappa leather.

The base model started at $33,545 with basic features like all-season tires and a 5-inch radio display. However, testers often drove more equipped models like the Overland trim, which offered almost every option available, bringing the price up to $58,525. The Gladiator’s interior, while durable and tough, remained loaded with features. Even at the highest trims, this Jeep stayed true to its rugged roots, focusing on utility over luxury.

Under the hood, the 2020 Ford F-150 provided an array of powertrain choices. The base XL and XLT trims came with a 3.3-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, while an available 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 boosted these figures to 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0-liter V8 engine, another option, offered 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking top-tier power, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivered 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 variant generated 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.

Most trims paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, except for the base trims that came with a 6-speed automatic. This transmission featured a Drive Mode selector with multiple settings including Tow/Haul and Sport.

When equipped optimally, the F-150 boasted an impressive towing capacity of 12,300 pounds with the XLT SuperCrew RWD and the Max Trailer Tow Package. It offered a satisfying blend of power and handling, riding smoothly on highways and back roads alike. The Raptor variant featured specialized off-road hardware, lifted suspension, and live valve technology for terrain management.

For the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 joined the existing 3.6-liter gasoline V6. The turbo-diesel churned out 260 hp at 3,600 rpm and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque from 1,400 to 2,800 rpm, enhancing the truck’s low-end grunt significantly. During testing, the diesel version averaged 22.6 mpg on a mountainous loop, just below the EPA’s 24 mpg combined estimate. In contrast, the standard V6 returned 20.3 mpg with mostly highway driving.

When it came to towing, a Gladiator Sport could pull up to 7,650 pounds with the 3.6-liter V6, eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 4.10 axle ratio. However, with the diesel engine, towing capacity reduced slightly due to engine-cooling limitations, maxing out at around 6,500 pounds. Off-road, the diesel’s torque really stood out, effortlessly handling difficult trails and rugged terrain.

Driving impressions between the gasoline and diesel versions revealed that the diesel added substantial low-end power with a mild clatter, yet retained the same steering and ride characteristics of the standard V6, which were slow and somewhat sloppy with a stiff, jouncy ride. Nevertheless, this vehicle charmed those who appreciated its rough-and-tough demeanor and off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered various combinations of three cab and three bed sizes. The Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew each provided different advantages, with the SuperCrew delivering exceptional rear legroom and a versatile rear seat that could flip up for additional storage. Bed lengths included 5-and-a-half, 6-and-a-half, and 8-feet, catering to diverse cargo needs. Interior storage was plentiful, with multiple cubbies, cupholders, and a spacious center console to store laptops or tools. The F-150 also featured a bed-access step that extended from the tailgate, though its reliability came into question compared to GM’s fixed corner steps.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized off-road capability over cabin comfort. It included seats with enough support but cramped rear legroom, small door openings, and confined cabin space. Entry and exit were trickier, especially with side steps or rails that were more of a hindrance than help. It consisted of basic storage solutions like netting on door panels and a small center console.

The Gladiator’s 5-foot steel cargo box included multiple tie-down hooks and handled 35.5 cubic feet of cargo. The bed was practical, featuring an adjustable tailgate fit for hauling plywood and options for a spray-in bedliner or Trail Rail cargo organizer. Standard payload ratings ranged from 1,075 pounds to 1,535 pounds, depending on the trim, engine, and transmission.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came with a basic AM/FM radio setup on the base XL trim. The SYNC infotainment system was optional, offering an auxiliary audio input and a touchscreen interface with USB ports and voice recognition. Higher trims like the XLT featured the SYNC 3 system, which offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and enhanced voice recognition. The system was user-friendly, with large buttons, easy menu navigation, and a simple interface.

Starting with the XLT, a 4G WiFi modem through FordPass allowed remote access to vehicle functions like starting, locking, and locating the truck. Options also included a Kicker subwoofer on lower trims and a B&O sound system with 10 speakers on premium trims.

On the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, the technology began with an FCA Uconnect 3 system with a 5-inch display that offered Bluetooth and SiriusXM radio. Upgrading to the Uconnect 4 system, standard on Sport S trim, added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Uconnect 4C system, as seen on the test truck, expanded to an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, Amazon Alexa integration, and an Alpine premium sound system.

While the Uconnect 4C remained intuitive and user-friendly, it suffered from slower load times and aging voice recognition technology. New for 2021 was the forward-facing Trail Cam, aiding off-road navigation by showing obstacles ahead.

The 2020 Ford F-150 provided standard safety features like front and side-impact airbags, curve control, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Additional features included rain-sensing headlights, an anti-theft system, and the SOS post-crash alert system. Ford made pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking standard, even on the XL trim. Higher trims offered Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, which included blind-spot warning, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Special features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist simplified towing.

Crash-test ratings highlighted the F-150's safety, with the SuperCrew earning 5 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS. The SuperCab and Regular Cab each earned 4 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA.

In comparison, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator’s standard safety features were basic, primarily consisting of a reversing camera. Depending on trim, options included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Gladiator a four-star frontal impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating. For highway transitions, the Gladiator's adaptive cruise control proved effective, although a standard option was still available for drivers who preferred manual control.