2020 Toyota Tundra 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. The Gladiator's unique design, reminiscent of the Wrangler from the front doors forward, and its new high-strength steel 5-foot cargo bed from the back doors, made it a standout. Despite some negative opinions, such as a neighbor calling it "ugly," the Gladiator's bold look and off-road capabilities were undeniable.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Tundra, especially in the TRD Pro CrewMax trim, exuded a tough, military-grade appearance with its exclusive Army Green color and black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. Inside, the Tundra's design was more traditional, with black leather seats featuring red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery. While the interior design had aged well, the extensive use of industrial-grade plastic was a drawback at higher price levels. The Tundra's spacious interior, especially the rear seating area, was a significant advantage, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offered a unique driving experience. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and impressive acceleration. However, towing a 5,000-pound trailer revealed some limitations, especially on inclines. Off-road, the Rubicon trim's Rock-Trac 4WD system and various off-road features made it nearly unstoppable. The Overland trim, while less intense, still handled rocky trails well. On highways, the Gladiator was loud and less refined, with an average fuel economy of 20.3 mpg over 600 miles.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra, equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine generating 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, delivered robust power and a flawless 6-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro trim, with its off-road shocks, dual exhaust system, and skid plate, handled technical trails with ease. However, its size was a liability on narrow paths. On highways, the Tundra was stable but noisy at high speeds. The fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 14.3 mpg, but the 38-gallon fuel tank helped mitigate frequent refueling.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed, designed to hold 95% of motorcycle designs, had a maximum payload of 1,600 pounds. The bed was shallow but functional, with various tie-downs and a middle mode for hauling large items. Inside, the Gladiator offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable black cloth upholstery. The cab was spacious, with ample room for adults in the back seat. The Gladiator's convertible options, including a soft top and removable hardtop panels, added to its versatility.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's interior was spacious, especially in the CrewMax trim, with a Texas-sized rear seating area. The front seats were large and comfortable, but storage options were limited, especially in the back. The Tundra's bed was basic, lacking advanced features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates. However, it included a spray-in bedliner, tie-down hooks, and bed rails for added functionality. The Tundra's simplicity was a key aspect of its design.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered a range of technology features, including remote start, a passive entry system, and a removable Bluetooth speaker. The top infotainment system in the Overland trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. The Uconnect system was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and impressive voice-control technology. However, it lacked a breadcrumb function for off-road navigation.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system, despite its dated appearance, was up-to-date with modern features. Lower trims had a 7-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and satellite radio. The TRD Pro trim featured dynamic navigation, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system. While the system had physical knobs and buttons, the small touchscreen buttons were challenging to use in a bumpy truck.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional Active Safety and Advanced Safety Groups. 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 the lack of testing data, and it lacked automatic emergency braking, resulting in a conservative safety score.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense and offered a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. However, its crash-test performance was lacking. The IIHS rated it poorly in small-overlap, frontal-impact tests, and its headlights received a Marginal rating. The NHTSA ratings were more favorable, with 5 stars for side-impact protection and 4 stars for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance (4WD models).