2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, born from the Wrangler's DNA but extended and reinforced for enhanced towing and hauling capabilities. Its design included a short 5-foot cargo bed, maintaining a balance between utility and off-road prowess. The Gladiator's appearance was unconventional, with its tall, long, and narrow stance, which initially seemed peculiar but grew on drivers, especially when exploring remote areas with the top down. The introduction of new editions like the Willys and 80th Anniversary Edition added distinctive features and luxury touches, while the High Altitude model offered premium Nappa leather and body-color detailing. Starting at $33,545, the Gladiator could be equipped with a range of options, including a turbo-diesel engine, pushing the price to $58,525 for a fully loaded Overland trim. Despite its rugged nature, the interior offered heated seats, leather upholstery, and a top-tier infotainment system, though it remained focused on durability and utility, echoing the Wrangler's cabin design.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, in contrast, presented a more conventional pickup appearance, drawing inspiration from larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger. However, its front end diverged from the norm with large headlights and a distinctive grille crossbar. The Maverick was smaller than the Ranger, measuring 199.7 inches in length, and utilized a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. The base Maverick XL featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered alloy options. A First Edition package added unique graphics and paint colors. The interior, despite its affordability, was creatively designed with multicolored plastics and exposed fasteners, giving it character. The Maverick's interior was praised for its style, proving that entry-level vehicles could be both functional and visually appealing.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 engine, priced at an additional $4,000, delivering 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided significant low-end power and improved fuel economy, averaging 22.6 mpg during testing, though slightly below the EPA's estimate. The Gladiator Sport, with its standard engine, could tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul 1,700 pounds of payload. The diesel variant, while not matching these figures due to cooling restrictions, still managed to tow between 6,000 and 6,500 pounds. Off-road, the diesel's torque shone, effortlessly tackling challenging trails with the Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system. On paved roads, the Gladiator exhibited its characteristic charms and quirks, with slow steering, a stiff ride, and wind noise, all part of its rugged appeal.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came standard with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine offered 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was front-wheel drive only, while the EcoBoost offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick FX4 package enhanced off-road capabilities with suspension tuning and additional drive modes. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smoother ride compared to traditional pickups. The hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and refinement, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capacity and spirited acceleration.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized ruggedness over comfort, with agreeable seats but cramped cabin space and small door openings. Side steps, while preserving breakover angles, complicated entry and exit. Interior storage included door panel netting, a small center console bin, and a removable storage bin under the rear seat. The 5-foot cargo box offered 35.5 cubic feet of space, with tie-down hooks and an adjustable tailgate for accommodating plywood. Payload ratings varied from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds, depending on configuration.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, available only as a four-door crew cab, offered more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Interior storage was abundant, with cubbies, a large storage bin, and the innovative FITS system for customizable accessories. The 4.5-foot bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, provided 1,500 pounds of payload capacity and included features like an in-bed power outlet and FlexBed system for maximizing utility. The Maverick's towing capacity reached 4,000 pounds, with the hybrid limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator featured a range of modern technologies, including the Selec-Speed system and an electronic-disconnecting sway bar. The standard Uconnect 3 system offered basic features, but 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 services and an Alpine premium sound system. The forward-facing Trail Cam, available with the Overland trim, aided off-road navigation.

The 2022 Ford Maverick utilized the older Sync 3 infotainment system, providing standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. An 8-inch touchscreen and WiFi hotspot were standard, with a large phone slot and available wireless charging. The hybrid model included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking. While the Maverick's infotainment was basic, it effectively covered essential functions.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered limited standard safety features, with a reversing camera as standard. Optional advanced driving assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA awarded the Gladiator a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety ratings were not yet available. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional extras like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner.