2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, starting with a Wrangler and stretching its frame for serious towing and hauling capabilities. It featured a short 5-foot cargo bed designed to maintain a good departure angle while providing the utility midsize pickup buyers needed. Initially, its appearance seemed odd—tall, long, and narrow with Wrangler-based bodywork—but driving it, especially in off-road conditions, revealed its charm. The Gladiator offered several new editions in 2021, including the Willys special edition and the 80th Anniversary Edition, adding unique features and styling touches. Pricing started at $33,545 for the base model, but our test truck, equipped with Overland trim and a new turbo-diesel engine, came to $58,525. The interior, while durable and designed for rugged use, offered optional heated seats, leather upholstery, and top-tier infotainment systems.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward look, with a massive grille and small headlights, a design language from its mid-2000s origins. Despite its dated underpinnings, the Tundra looked modern with the "Cement" paint color and blacked-out wheels and badging. The cabin, dominated by hard plastics and large monotone panels, was straightforward and user-friendly, with all buttons and dials within easy reach. The Tundra's interior was not luxurious but functional, with a standard 7-inch infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The SR5 CrewMax trim we tested added power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, and the Trail Special Edition package, enhancing its off-road capabilities and interior comfort.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator introduced a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 engine option, costing an additional $4,000. This engine produced 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, offering substantial low-end grunt and better fuel economy than the standard 3.6-liter gasoline V6. During testing, the diesel engine averaged 22.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimated 24 mpg. The Gladiator Sport could tow up to 7,650 pounds with the standard engine, while the diesel variant managed 6,000-6,500 pounds due to cooling restrictions. Off-road, the diesel engine excelled, providing ample torque at low speeds, making it ideal for challenging trails. However, the Gladiator's on-road performance was less refined, with slow steering, a stiff ride, and noticeable wind noise.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with the I-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered strong acceleration and confident performance in various driving scenarios. The Tundra's towing capacity was 10,200 pounds, and it could handle a payload of 1,730 pounds. While the six-speed transmission was responsive, newer trucks with more gears offered better fuel economy and power management. The Tundra excelled in comfort, soaking up bumps and providing a stable ride on the highway. Its steering was vague at low speeds but settled in at higher speeds, making it a comfortable cruiser.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator's interior was functional but not particularly spacious. The seats were supportive, but the small door openings, snug seating positions, and cramped rear legroom required some acclimation. Side steps or rails, mounted high to preserve breakover angle, made entry and exit challenging. In-cabin storage included netting on the door panels, a small center console bin, cupholders, and a dash-top tray. The 5-foot steel cargo box held 35.5 cubic feet of cargo and featured multiple tie-down hooks, an adjustable tailgate, and optional accessories like a spray-in bedliner and Trail Rail cargo organizer.

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, a full four-door crew cab, came with a 5.5-foot bed and provided massive interior space. Rear seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, and the rear seats folded up for additional cargo space. The front seats had plenty of room, with a large center console and multiple storage compartments. The optional power rear window opened the entire rear window, enhancing visibility and ventilation.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator, while inherently old school, offered modern technology. The standard Uconnect 3 system with a 5-inch display included Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrading to the Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Uconnect 4C system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, included SiriusXM Guardian connected services, an Alpine premium sound system, and an Amazon Alexa skill. The forward-facing Trail Cam, available with the Overland trim, was useful for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system was updated in 2020 and carried into 2021. It featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was available. The system was user-friendly, with redundant hard buttons and multiple USB ports. The Tundra came standard with a six-speaker stereo, with higher trims offering up to 12 speakers with a JBL premium audio system.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator's standard safety features included a reversing camera. Depending on the trim level, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams were available. The Gladiator received a four-star frontal-impact rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota's Safety Sense P suite, including 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 airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.