2020 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Jeep Gladiator

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator made quite an impression when it first hit the roads. On a warm day in Los Angeles, the Firecracker Red Gladiator Overland drew significant attention, with people stopping to take photos and ask questions. Despite its eye-catching design, not everyone was a fan. One neighbor even described it as "ugly" but was still curious about its price. The Gladiator came 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 mix of familiar and new elements. From the front doors forward, it resembled a Wrangler, but from the doors back, it featured a high-strength steel 5-foot cargo bed. The truck's frame was 80% new, with a stretched wheelbase to accommodate the roomy cab and bed. While this made the Gladiator longer than its competitors, it impacted its breakover angle and maneuverability. Inside, the Gladiator was designed to get dirty and wet, with features like optional slush mats and a cabin that could be hosed out after hard use. However, it was loud inside, and refinement was not its strong suit.

The 2020 Ford Ranger returned to the American market after an eight-year hiatus, bringing with it a more sophisticated design based on its international version. The Ranger's styling was clean and somewhat aggressive, avoiding the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks. Inside, the Ranger's cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with hard plastics that could take a bit of abuse. Compared to other midsize pickups, the Ranger's cabin felt low-rent.

The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base XL came with basic features like steel wheels and manual air conditioning, while the XLT added more content, including 17-inch aluminum wheels and dual-zone climate control. The top-tier Lariat featured upscale touches like leather upholstery and an 18-inch machined aluminum wheels. Ford also offered several appearance packages and off-road packages like the FX2 and FX4, which added off-road tires and running gear.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and speedy acceleration. However, when towing 5,000 pounds, the Gladiator struggled a bit, especially on hills. Off-road, the Rubicon trim excelled with its Rock-Trac 4WD system, 84:1 crawl ratio, and various off-road features like sway bar disconnects and locking differentials. The Overland trim, while less intense, still managed rocky trails with ease using the Command-Trac 4WD system. The Gladiator's fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, and it averaged 20.3 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The ten-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery, making the Ranger feel punchy and capable, especially at low speeds and for highway passing. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,860 pounds in the SuperCab 4x2 configuration. The Ranger's ride was stiff, with some chatter and vibration over bumps, and body roll was noticeable around corners. The FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages added off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension, enhancing the Ranger's off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed was designed to hold 95% of motorcycle designs with the tailgate down. It had a maximum payload of 1,600 pounds and a tailgate step load rating of 1,800 pounds. The bed was shallow, making it easy to reach over the side. The Gladiator Overland test truck featured heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable black cloth upholstery. The cab offered plenty of room, with high front seats and ample space for adults in the back. Various storage bins and nets were available, and the dashboard had a grab handle for the front passenger. The Gladiator could be used as a convertible, with options for a soft top or a removable hardtop.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four, with rear seats more suited for kids and accessed via rear-opening clamshell half-doors. The SuperCrew was a full four-door crew cab with seating for five and more adult-friendly rear seats. Both body styles had deep in-door pockets, bottle holders, and various storage bins. The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew. It offered features like a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and a wall-style power outlet, but lacked a bed-step.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered basic technology features, with Bluetooth standard across all trims. The mid-level Uconnect 4 system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The top infotainment system, available on the Overland trim, featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. The system also included SiriusXM Guardian connected services, providing remote access to vehicle functions and emergency assistance. The Gladiator had an Off-Road Pages real-time performance tracking system but lacked a breadcrumb function for off-road navigation. An exclusive feature was a removable Bluetooth speaker stored in a charging dock behind the back seat.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim came with an AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect was also included, offering remote lock/unlock and start, as well as WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim featured a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers. The touchscreen was available with voice-activated navigation and pinch-to-zoom functionality.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional Active Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. The Active Safety Group included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking-assist sensors, and LED taillights. The Advanced Safety Group added adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. The Gladiator's crash protection was uncertain due to a lack of testing data, and it did not have automatic emergency braking, resulting in a conservative safety score.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also included automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. However, it had a recall for the ten-speed automatic transmission.