2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2020 Jeep Gladiator

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 Overland trim, nearly fully loaded, cost $52,920. The Gladiator's design, reminiscent of the Wrangler from the front doors forward, featured a high-strength steel cargo bed and a frame that was 80% new, making it longer and less maneuverable than its competitors but ideal for off-road adventures.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, particularly in the AT4 trim, was all about style and off-road capability. Priced at $66,695, the AT4 featured a 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension, skid plates, and unique design elements like red front recovery hooks. The truck's black-on-black color scheme looked sharp but was impractical for off-road use, as it quickly showed dirt.

Inside, the Sierra's cabin was a mix of black plastic and metallic accents, with rubber floor mats and easy-to-clean inserts. The AT4's suspension handled rough terrain well and provided a comfortable ride on highways. The Sierra's interior, while functional, lacked the luxury expected at its price point, especially compared to competitors like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, performed admirably on both highways and off-road trails. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and quick acceleration. However, towing a 5,000-pound trailer revealed the Gladiator's 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 rugged, still handled rough trails well with its Command-Trac 4WD system. The Gladiator's fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 20.3 mpg.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, offered impressive performance. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the engine provided smooth and responsive power delivery. The Sierra's Auto 4WD system handled various driving conditions with ease, and the truck averaged 21.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's rating of 24 mpg combined. The AT4's off-road suspension and all-terrain tires performed well on rough terrain, and the truck's towing capacity reached up to 9,300 pounds with the right configuration.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed, designed to hold 95% of motorcycle designs, had a maximum payload of 1,600 pounds. The bed's shallow depth allowed for easy access, and various tie-downs and a middle tailgate mode made it versatile for hauling materials. Inside, the Gladiator offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and durable cloth upholstery. The cabin provided ample space for passengers and storage, with features like air vents, USB charging ports, and storage bins. The Gladiator's convertible options, including a soft top and removable hardtop panels, added to its versatility.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's interior featured large, supportive seats with power adjustments, heating, and cooling. The rear seats were heated, and the truck offered rear air conditioning vents and a power sliding rear window. High-clearance side rails and the Multipro tailgate made accessing the cargo bed easier. The CarbonPro Edition's carbon fiber composite bed improved durability and increased payload capacity. The Sierra's bed held between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, with multiple tie-downs for securing loads. However, the cabin's storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

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. The Uconnect system was user-friendly, with responsive inputs and large on-screen buttons. The Gladiator also featured an Off-Road Pages system for real-time performance tracking. A unique feature was the removable Bluetooth speaker, which could be taken on outdoor adventures.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 came with advanced camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. The Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The infotainment system, available with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The Sierra's voice recognition technology was excellent, and the Bose premium sound system provided adequate audio quality. The truck's 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and 115-volt in-dash electrical outlet were useful during power outages.

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 a lack of testing data, and it lacked automatic emergency braking.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's safety features were optional, even on higher trims like the Denali. Forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking were available but not standard. The Denali included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat available on other trims. Adaptive cruise control was an option for the SLT, AT4, and Denali. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were mixed, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for certain tests.