2020 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

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 Toyota Tundra, with its massive grille and small headlights, had a somewhat awkward appearance. Developed in the mid-2000s, the Tundra's design language was a mix of old and new. The "Cement" paint color and blacked-out wheels gave it a modern touch, but the cabin's hard plastics and monotone panels revealed its age. Despite this, the Tundra's interior was functional, with all controls within easy reach. The infotainment system, updated in 2020, included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Tundra offered six trims: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and the 1794 Edition, each with varying levels of features and luxury.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator, with its 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, performed admirably on the road. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and quick acceleration, even when towing up to 5,000 pounds. Off-road, the Rubicon trim's Rock-Trac 4WD system and 84:1 crawl ratio made it nearly unstoppable. The Overland trim, while less rugged, still handled rocky trails with ease. The Gladiator's steering was slow and vague, and its live-axle suspension communicated every bump, but it was fun to drive with the top off and doors removed. Fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an observed average of 20.3 mpg over 600 highway miles.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 391 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration and confident performance. The Tundra's towing capacity was 10,200 pounds, and it had a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. While the six-speed transmission was responsive, it lacked the fuel efficiency of newer multi-gear systems. The Tundra excelled on the highway, offering a comfortable ride and stable handling. Its steering was vague at low speeds but settled in nicely at higher speeds, making it a reliable cruiser.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator's cargo bed, with the tailgate down, could accommodate 95% of motorcycle designs. It had a maximum payload of 1,600 pounds and a tailgate step load rating of 1,800 pounds. The bed was shallow but featured various tie-downs and a middle mode for hauling large items. 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 experience.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes and three bed sizes. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax, with a 5.5-foot bed, provided massive interior space, especially in the rear seats. The rear seats folded up for additional cargo space. The front seats were spacious, with a large center console and multiple storage compartments. The optional power rear window opened the entire rear pane, offering clear sightlines and fresh air. The Tundra's in-bed storage lockers, while not as large as the RamBox system, provided secure storage for smaller items.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator featured basic but functional technology. Standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio were available with the mid-level Uconnect 4 system. The top infotainment system, included in the Overland trim, had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Alpine premium sound system. The system was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and responsive voice control. The Gladiator also offered an Off-Road Pages performance tracking system and a removable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system, updated in 2020, included a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and Amazon Alexa was available. The system was easy to operate, with a sensible layout and redundant hard buttons. Standard features included multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a three-month trial of WiFi hotspot capability. The Tundra's audio system ranged from a six-speaker setup in the base trim to a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system in higher trims.

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 did not have automatic emergency braking, resulting in a conservative safety score.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with the Safety Sense P suite, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra also had eight standard airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.