2020 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

On a warm day in Los Angeles, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland in Firecracker Red turned heads and sparked conversations everywhere it went. The Gladiator, fresh from its media introduction near Sacramento, was a spectacle on the Pacific Coast Highway, drawing attention from beachgoers and commuters alike. Despite its popularity, not everyone was a fan of its design, as evidenced by a neighbor's blunt comment about its appearance. 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 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, in its Iconic Silver paint, exuded luxury and capability. The Limited trim featured plush leather seats, a high-end audio system, and power-deploying running boards for easy access. The F-350 came in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, with various cab styles and bed lengths. Our test truck, a crew cab with a standard bed and single-rear-wheel axle, included the powerful turbodiesel V8 engine and four-wheel drive. The MSRP, including a spray-in bedliner and destination charge, totaled $87,655. The F-350's interior boasted high-quality materials, a panoramic sunroof, and ample space, making it a true luxury pickup.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, performed admirably on the highway and off-road. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and quick acceleration. Towing a 5,000-pound trailer was manageable, though the Gladiator struggled on hills. Off-road, the Rubicon trim's Rock-Trac 4WD system and various off-road features made it nearly unstoppable. The Overland trim, while less rugged, still handled rough trails well. The Gladiator's steering was slow and vague, and the live-axle suspension made for a bumpy ride. Fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an observed average of 20.3 mpg over 600 miles.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, powered by a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine, delivered an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size, the F-350 averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg over a week of driving. The diesel engine provided effortless power, and the 10-speed automatic transmission performed well under various conditions. The Tremor off-road package enhanced the F-350's off-road capabilities with features like a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires. However, the truck's size made parking and maneuvering in tight spaces challenging. Adaptive steering and stout brakes required some acclimation but contributed to a controlled driving experience.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed, with the tailgate down, could accommodate 95% of motorcycle designs. Maximum payload was 1,600 pounds, and the tailgate's step load rating was 1,800 pounds. The bed was shallow but featured various cargo tie-downs and a middle mode for hauling plywood or drywall. The Overland trim included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable black cloth upholstery. The cab offered ample space, with high front seats and sufficient rear legroom. Storage options included bins, nets, and under-seat compartments. The Gladiator's convertible options, including a soft top and removable hardtop panels, provided a unique open-air driving experience.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's cargo bed was accessible with an integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step. The configurable BoxLink system and optional spray-in bedliner made securing cargo easy. Inside, the crew cab offered generous space for five passengers. The Limited trim featured power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a large center console, dual glove compartments, and door panel bins. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with ample legroom and heated outboard seats. Storage space under the flip-up seat cushion added convenience. The commanding driving position and high-quality materials enhanced the overall experience.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered basic but functional technology. The top infotainment system included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio were available with the mid-level Uconnect 4 system. The Gladiator also featured an Off-Road Pages performance tracking system and a removable Bluetooth speaker. However, it lacked a breadcrumb function for off-road navigation.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services, and a B&O premium sound system. The screen size was a drawback, especially for parking and trailer assistance features. The F-350 also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment. The voice-recognition technology was user-friendly but occasionally unresponsive to natural commands.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator offered optional Active Safety and Advanced Safety Groups. These packages included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking-assist sensors, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The adaptive cruise control was particularly useful on long drives. However, the Gladiator lacked automatic emergency braking and had no crash-test data available at the time of review.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing about 7,300 pounds, likely provided good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. Available driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. Blind-spot monitoring required proper mirror adjustment for effectiveness. The Sync 3 system's 911 Assist feature could contact emergency responders after a collision.