2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2020 Jeep Gladiator

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator made quite an impression when it first hit the roads, especially in its eye-catching Firecracker Red Overland trim. As it cruised through Los Angeles, it turned heads and sparked conversations, with many people eager to capture it on their smartphones. Despite its striking appearance, not everyone was a fan, as evidenced by a neighbor's blunt comment about its looks. The Gladiator offered four trims: Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon, all equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Prices ranged from $33,545 for the base Sport to $43,545 for the Rubicon, with additional costs for options like an automatic transmission and a hardtop. The Gladiator's design was a blend of the familiar Wrangler front and a new high-strength steel cargo bed, making it longer than its midsize competitors. While this affected its maneuverability, it retained the ruggedness expected from a Jeep, with a cabin designed to withstand dirt and water.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty received subtle updates that refined its appearance without drastic changes. The front bumper featured more black paint, and the grille adopted a less flashy design, resulting in a more restrained look. The F-250 was available in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, each offering distinct styling elements. The interior was functional, with a focus on practicality, featuring ample storage space and a straightforward layout. The base XL model came with essential features, while higher trims like the King Ranch and Platinum added luxury touches such as leather upholstery and advanced technology. The F-250's cabin was spacious, accommodating various needs, and the available Tremor package enhanced its off-road capabilities with features like upgraded shocks and off-road tires.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, delivered a driving experience reminiscent of a long Wrangler. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and decent acceleration, although towing a 5,000-pound trailer tested its limits. Off-road, the Rubicon trim excelled with its Rock-Trac 4WD system, offering an 84:1 crawl ratio and features like locking differentials and a sway bar disconnect. The Overland trim, while less rugged, still managed challenging trails with its Command-Trac 4WD system. On highways, the Gladiator was noisy, and its steering was slow, but it offered a unique open-air driving experience. Fuel efficiency was modest, with a combined rating of 19 mpg, though real-world driving yielded slightly better results.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty boasted impressive powertrain options, starting with a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine delivering 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The lineup also included a 7.3-liter gas V8 with 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 producing 475 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The gas engines were paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel used a six-speed automatic. The F-250 excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 30,000 pounds when properly equipped. However, its suspension, designed for heavy loads, resulted in a bumpy ride when unladen. The Tremor off-road package added features like a 2-inch lift and rock crawl mode, enhancing its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed was designed to accommodate most motorcycles with the tailgate down, offering a maximum payload of 1,600 pounds. The bed was shallow, but clever use of tie-downs and a middle tailgate position allowed for versatile cargo management. Inside, the Gladiator provided ample space, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel in the Overland trim. The cabin was practical, with various storage options and a convertible top for open-air driving. However, the Overland's side steps could be cumbersome for taller individuals, though they aided entry for others. The rear seats offered decent space, but three adults would find it cramped.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered multiple cab configurations, including Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab, with bed lengths of 6-foot-9-inch or 8-foot. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and a massive center console for storage. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab folded up to reveal a load floor, ideal for securing large items inside the cabin. The F-250's interior was designed for practicality, accommodating various needs with ease.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator featured basic technology, with options like remote start, a passive entry system, and an upgraded infotainment system. The mid-level Uconnect 4 system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio, while the top system added an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Uconnect system was user-friendly, with responsive controls and voice-command capabilities. An exclusive feature was the removable Bluetooth speaker, which could be taken on adventures.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL trim came with a basic audio system, while the XLT added features like SiriusXM satellite radio and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard, offering a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote access via a smartphone app. The system allowed for remote locking, unlocking, and starting, though some features required a subscription.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional safety packages, including the Active Safety Group with blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors, and the Advanced Safety Group with adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. However, the Gladiator lacked automatic emergency braking, and its crash protection ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with standard safety features like airbags, trailer sway control, and traction control. Optional features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. While the F-250 had not been tested by major safety organizations, the availability of advanced safety features was a positive aspect, though more standardization would be beneficial.