2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2020 Jeep Gladiator

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator made quite an impression when it first hit the roads, especially in its 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 some found its design less appealing. The Gladiator was available in 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 Wrangler's front with a new high-strength steel cargo bed, making it longer and affecting its maneuverability compared to the Wrangler. Inside, the Gladiator was built for rugged use, with features like slush mats and a cabin designed to withstand dirt and water.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty received a modest styling update, with a more detailed grille and headlights that gave it a mature look. Despite these changes, the design was still an evolution of the 2017 model, and as newer models like the 2021 F-150 emerged, the Super Duty began to look dated. The cabin remained unchanged, with a blocky design that was more functional than luxurious, making it ideal for work use. The F-350 was available in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, each offering varying levels of features and luxury. The XL trim was the ultimate "work truck" with basic features, while higher trims like the Platinum and Limited offered luxury touches like heated-and-ventilated seats and a premium audio system. The F-350's design and features were well-suited for those who needed a heavy-duty truck for work purposes.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It offered an 8-speed automatic transmission that provided smooth shifts and decent acceleration. The Gladiator was capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, though it struggled a bit on inclines. Off-road, the Rubicon trim excelled with its Rock-Trac 4WD system, offering an 84:1 crawl ratio and features like sway bar disconnects and locking differentials. The Overland trim, while less rugged, still handled off-road trails well with its Command-Trac 4WD system. The Gladiator's fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, and it averaged 20.3 mpg during testing, primarily on highways. The Gladiator offered a unique driving experience with its removable top and doors, though it was loud and less refined on the road.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 6.2-liter gas V8 producing 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 delivered 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.7-liter turbodiesel Power Stroke V8 offered 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The F-350's engines were paired with either a six-speed or a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the latter standard on the more powerful engines. The F-350 excelled in towing, with a conventional towing capacity of 24,200 pounds, a fifth-wheel capacity of 32,500 pounds, and a gooseneck capacity of 37,000 pounds. Its payload capacity reached up to 7,850 pounds. The F-350's size was noticeable in corners, and its ride could be chattery when not loaded, though the Tremor off-road package improved its off-road capabilities with features like a lifted suspension and rock-crawl mode.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator featured a cargo bed designed to accommodate most motorcycle designs, with a maximum payload of 1,600 pounds. The bed was shallow, but its design allowed for creative use of space with tie-downs and a tailgate that could support 1,800 pounds. The interior offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with durable cloth upholstery and optional hardtop headliner panels. The Gladiator's cab was spacious, with high front seats and ample room for rear passengers, though three adults would be a tight fit. Storage options included various bins and nets, and the dashboard featured a grab handle for rough trails. The Gladiator's convertible nature was a highlight, with options for a soft or hard top, though the hardtop required storage space when removed.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Super Crew configurations. The Super Cab offered rear-hinged half-doors, while the Super Crew provided a massive cab with ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats folded up for additional storage, and the front featured a large center console. The F-350 offered a choice between a 6-foot-9-inch bed and an 8-foot bed, with the latter available in a dual-rear-wheel configuration. The bed featured a step for easier loading, and the dually setup was available with all cab sizes. The F-350's interior was designed for practicality, with in-door pockets and a large center console bin for storage.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered basic technology features, with options for remote start, a passive entry system, and an upgraded infotainment system. Bluetooth was standard, while the mid-level Uconnect 4 system added Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The top infotainment system included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Alpine speakers. The system was user-friendly, with responsive controls and voice-command technology. An exclusive feature was a removable Bluetooth speaker stored behind the back seat, perfect for outdoor adventures.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The system had an intuitive menu layout with large icons for easy navigation. While SYNC 3 occasionally experienced hiccups, it remained one of the best systems available. The F-350 also offered impressive towing technology, including Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which simplified trailer maneuvering with a dial control. The system used cameras and sensors to calculate the necessary steering inputs, making it easier to back up trailers.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional safety packages, including the Active Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. These added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear parking-assist sensors, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The Gladiator's crash protection was uncertain due to a lack of testing data, and it lacked automatic emergency braking, resulting in a conservative safety score.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty came standard with airbags, automatic high beams, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims added features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Platinum trim included adaptive cruise control and adaptive steering, while the Limited trim offered all these features as standard.