2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2022 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator made quite an impression by bridging the gap between a classic Jeep Wrangler and a utilitarian pickup truck. Jeep started with the Wrangler platform, extended and reinforced its frame for enhanced towing and hauling, and added a functional 5-foot cargo bed. This compact bed struck a balance, preserving a decent departure angle essential for off-road adventures while catering to midsize pickup responsibilities.

Visually, the Gladiator presented a unique aesthetic that took some getting used to. Its dimensions—tall, long, and narrow—combined with the Wrangler’s bodywork seemed unusual at first. However, once behind the wheel, its peculiar charm quickly grew on drivers, especially those taking it to remote places and enjoying the open-air experience.

In 2021, Jeep introduced several new trims and special editions. The Willys special edition added a blacked-out grille, limited-slip rear differential, rock rails, and 32-inch all-terrain tires to the Sport or Sport S trims. The 80th Anniversary Edition, positioned above the Overland trim, featured unique badges, finishes, and materials. At the pinnacle, the new High Altitude luxury model debuted with body-color detailing, black 20-inch wheels, and premium Nappa leather.

The price of the Gladiator started at $33,545 for the Sport version, equipped modestly with a manual transmission, basic top, and a straightforward radio. Our test model, an Overland trim, came loaded with nearly all available options, including a turbo-diesel engine that required an automatic transmission, pushing the MSRP to $58,525 with destination charges.

Inside, the test truck's interior, featuring heated seats and steering wheel, leather upholstery, and high-end infotainment systems, was about as refined as a Gladiator could get. Even so, the Gladiator retained its rugged essence with durable materials suitable for off-road escapades. The cabin closely mirrored the Wrangler’s but featured minor tweaks to the rear seating area, emphasizing utility. Small design details, or Jeep Easter eggs, added a sense of exclusivity and connection to the Jeep community.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, on the other hand, introduced all-new Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, building on the already upscale Denali and AT4 trims. The lineup expanded to eight trims: Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate. Even though its dimensions remained unchanged, the Sierra's updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design gave it a broader and more imposing look.

The grille was particularly striking, with Denali models switching from a mesh pattern to a bold “tri-linear” theme, resulting in thicker chrome inserts that exuded toughness and bling. The Denali Ultimate featured darker “Vader bars” for an even more aggressive grille. The SLT, AT4, and AT4X trims had less flashy yet equally compelling grille designs with chrome, black, and dark nickel accents.

Wheel design also received attention, with Denali and Denali Ultimate getting new 22-inch wheels in bright-polished chrome and low-gloss black, respectively. SLT trims also offered new wheel designs. The pickup’s profile and rear remained unchanged, and buyers could choose from standard, double, and crew cab configurations, along with various bed lengths and a unique carbon fiber composite bed. Three new premium paint options—Titanium Rush Metallic, Dynamic Blue Metallic, and Desert Sand Metallic—were also introduced.

The Sierra’s interior saw significant updates, making it feel more spacious and luxurious. The new dash design featured long, straight lines, reflecting the truck's exterior grille. New materials were available across different packages, with the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims elevating the luxury even further. The AT4X showcased premium leather with contrast white piping and red stitching, genuine wood trim, and a microsuede headliner. The Denali Ultimate went even further with full-grain leather, open-pore wood, and topographical maps of Mount Denali intricately embossed within the cabin materials.

When it came to performance, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator had introduced an exciting new engine option—a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6. This diesel alternative, available for $4,000 on all trims except the Mojave, generated 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and a considerable 442 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 to 2,800 rpm. This engine significantly improved the Gladiator’s low-end performance and fuel economy, managing an average of 22.6 mpg during a mountainous loop, just shy of the EPA's estimated 24 mpg. In contrast, the standard 3.6-liter gasoline V6 managed 20.3 mpg on mostly highway drives.

Towing and hauling capacities varied depending on the configuration. A Gladiator Sport with the standard V6, automatic transmission, and 4.10 axle ratio could tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul up to 1,700 pounds with a manual transmission. The turbo-diesel powertrain, though offering impressive low-end torque, had lower towing capabilities due to engine cooling restrictions imposed by Jeep’s signature grille design, managing between 6,000 and 6,500 pounds of trailer weight.

The Gladiator shone in low-speed off-road scenarios, where the diesel engine's torque was particularly beneficial. Engaging the Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system, the Gladiator easily navigated challenging trails, demonstrating the diesel engine’s ability to deliver power without needing to build revs.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered an array of performance options. The standard engine, a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, had been enhanced to produce 310 horsepower and an impressive 430 pound-feet of torque, with the eight-speed automatic transmission also refined for smoother shifts. This configuration allowed a max trailering rating of 9,600 pounds for 2WD models and 9,300 pounds for 4WD ones.

The turbo-diesel option, a 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six, offered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, raising its towing capacity to 13,200 pounds for 2WD models with the Max Trailering Package, a significant increase from the previous year. 4WD models were rated at 13,000 pounds, leading the light-duty diesel truck segment.

The Sierra also had two V8 engines: a 5.3-liter producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.2-liter delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel and V8 engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The higher-output V8 was standard on the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims, with the Duramax available for the latter.

On-road performance varied between trims. The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD provided a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride, maintaining composure despite its substantial size and 22-inch wheels. The AT4X trim, although designed for off-road use with 11.1 inches of ground clearance and rugged tires, still offered surprisingly smooth and isolated on-road manners.

Off-road, the AT4X demonstrated its capabilities in Southern California's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The truck's Multimatic DSSV dampers and unique springs provided excellent suspension travel, and the class-exclusive front and rear e-locking differentials enhanced its off-road readiness. While the off-road course didn’t challenge the AT4X to its limits, the truck handled steep, sandy descents and rocky terrain with ease.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator wasn’t primarily built for comfort. While the seats offered decent support, the cabin's snug seating positions, small door openings, and limited rear legroom required some adjustment. The addition of side steps or rails could complicate entry and exit, especially when muddy, as they were mounted high to preserve the breakover angle.

In-cabin storage was modest, with netting on the door panels, a small center console bin, cup holders, a dash-top tray, and an undersized glove compartment. The Gladiator’s 5-foot steel cargo box was 18 inches deep and had a cargo volume of 35.5 cubic feet, equipped with multiple tie-down hooks and an adjustable tailgate. Payload ratings ranged from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds, depending on the model configuration.

Conversely, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 boasted exceptional roominess and utility, even with its short bed offering best-in-class cargo capacity. The front headroom was about 43 inches, regardless of the cabin type, with rear headroom at approximately 40 inches. Legroom was generous, with 44.5 inches for the front and 43.4 inches for crew cab rear passengers, while double cab rear-seat passengers had 35.2 inches of legroom.

The Sierra featured ample storage options, though the glove compartments were relatively small. The ergonomic layout of controls and screens was less than ideal, as the low positioning required more eye movement from the road to the controls. This was exacerbated by the abundance of knobs and buttons, which contradicted the modern trend of integrating digital touchpads.

Some ergonomic quirks aside, the Sierra offered convenience features such as massaging seats, although operating them wasn’t intuitive. Overall, the interior of the Sierra, especially in the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims, presented a blend of practicality and luxury, enhancing both utility and comfort.

Regarding cargo capacity, while the Gladiator’s cargo box was practical, the Sierra's bed options, including a carbon fiber composite bed and six-function MultiPro tailgate, offered unparalleled utility. Sierra's payload capacity was robust, with trailering ratings significantly higher than the Gladiator’s.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator married its rugged nature with modern technology, though its base infotainment system was modest—a 5-inch display with Bluetooth, voice text, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The optional Uconnect 4 system, starting with the Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Uconnect 4C system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, SiriusXM Guardian connected services, and an Alpine premium sound system, enhanced the tech experience.

However, the underlying technology showed signs of aging. System load and response times were slow, and voice recognition required precise prompts. New for 2021, the forward-facing Trail Cam was a handy tool during off-road excursions, providing visibility of obstacles obscured by the hood.

For the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, technology took a leap forward with standard larger displays—a 12.3-inch digital driver information cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. These came with three years of complimentary service for Android and Apple devices on AT4 and Denali trims. The Denali’s interactive start-up screen, featuring topographical maps, added a unique touch.

The infotainment system was fast and responsive, with a clean display and large icons. However, differentiating between the in-car Google-based navigation and smartphone projection could be confusing due to their similar interfaces. The system allowed for personalization and dual modes, showing navigation and trailering details simultaneously.

Standard across the Sierra lineup was wireless device charging, with optional features including a 15-inch multicolor head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose premium surround sound system.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator’s standard offerings were basic, with only a reversing camera. Depending on the trim and options, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) could be added, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Our test truck was equipped with these features, enhancing safety but highlighting the narrow side mirrors.

Crash-test results were limited, with the Gladiator earning a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 shone with its advanced safety features, most notably the addition of GM's Super Cruise—a hands-free driving system considered one of the best Level 2 systems. Initially available only on the Sierra Denali Ultimate, Super Cruise was smooth and intuitive, managing acceleration and braking even in rush-hour traffic.

Super Cruise’s abilities extended to automatic lane changes and trailering. The Sierra also came with up to 14 camera views to assist with trailering, along with features like the GCW Alert, indicating when the truck was overloaded, and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert for safer lane changes while towing.

The GMC Pro Safety suite offered standard ADAS features: forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, a following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic headlights.

In safety ratings, the Sierra received “Good” grades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for a “Marginal” in the front-passenger small overlap test and a “Poor” for headlights without adaptive front lighting. NHTSA rated Sierra 2WD models with four out of five stars for crashworthiness, with 4WD variants yet to be evaluated.