2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2022 RAM 1500

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator had a unique origin story. Jeep took a Wrangler, stretched and strengthened its frame for serious towing and hauling prowess, and added a short 5-foot cargo bed designed to preserve a robust departure angle while providing the utility expected by midsize pickup buyers. The completed vehicle stood out in the marketplace.

Its appearance, however, was polarizing. Critics noted it looked a bit too tall, long, and narrow, especially with its Wrangler-inspired bodywork. Until drivers acclimated to its design quirks, cognitive dissonance was a common reaction. Yet, once behind the wheel, and especially when tackling off-road adventures, many found the Gladiator irreplaceable.

For 2021, Jeep added new variants, including the Willys special edition with a blacked-out grille, limited-slip rear differential, rock rails, and 32-inch all-terrain tires. A circa-1941, 80th Anniversary Edition featured unique badges, finishes, and materials, whereas the High Altitude model brought in luxury elements like body-colored detailing, black 20-inch wheels, and premium Nappa leather.

The starting price for the Jeep Gladiator Sport was set at $33,545, featuring a manual transmission, all-season tires, manual windows, a basic top, and a radio with a 5-inch display. Our test Gladiator was far from entry-level. Embellished with the Overland trim, turbo-diesel engine, nearly every available option, and an automatic transmission, its MSRP reached $58,525, including a $1,495 destination charge.

Inside, the Gladiator mirrored the Wrangler, boasting a utilitarian yet durable interior. Our test version flaunted optional features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and advanced infotainment and sound systems. Jeep’s Easter eggs, tiny design elements scattered throughout the vehicle, further enhanced a sense of belonging to an exclusive community.

Turning our attention to the 2022 RAM 1500, both Quad Cab and Crew Cab styles were available, supplemented by a 6-foot 4-inch or a 5-foot 7-inch cargo bed, respectively. Including seven trim levels that ranged from the bare-bones Tradesman to the over-the-top TRX, Ram offered a plethora of appearance packages, options, and special editions to cater to a diversity of tastes.

In 2022, all RAM 1500 trucks came equipped with a Clean Air System, boasting filtration of 95% of particulates from the cabin air. Starting from the Big Horn trim level, the Uconnect 5 infotainment system became standard, featuring screens of either 8.4 or 12 inches. Additionally, new special editions were launched, like the Limited 10th Anniversary Edition package incorporating quilted Sea Salt and Indigo leather upholstery, a suede headliner, ventilated rear seats, a 19-speaker premium sound system, the multi-function tailgate, and numerous anniversary details. Our tested RAM 1500 Limited, with a turbodiesel engine, four-wheel drive, and a raft of luxury and towing features, tallied up at $77,260, including a $1,795 destination fee.

The RAM 1500’s design successfully combined vestiges of the brand’s original big-rig aesthetic with contemporary refinement. Even the chromium details on the Limited trim felt integral rather than ornamental. Inside, the cabin design was rich and busy, but it conveyed quality through and through, from the Indigo and Sea Salt color scheme to the materials and build.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator originally offered only a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 engine. However, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 became available, albeit at an additional $4,000 cost, applicable to all Gladiator versions save the Mojave.

The turbo-diesel engine churns out 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and a formidable 442 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 to 2,800 rpm. Its low-end grunt improved fuel economy, averaging 22.6 mpg during our mountain testing loop, slightly under the EPA’s combined estimate of 24 mpg.

When equipped with its standard V6 engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and 4.10 axle ratio, a Gladiator Sport could tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul a payload of up to 1,700 pounds. The turbo-diesel's capacities were slightly lower, with towing between 6,000-6,500 pounds and a comparable payload to other powertrain configurations due to cooling restrictions from the signature seven-slot grille.

On-road, the diesel Gladiator's strengths were its low-end torque, though it revealed weaknesses in slow and somewhat imprecise steering, stiff ride, and susceptibility to wind noise. Nevertheless, off-roading is where the Gladiator, with selections like the Rubicon trim and its torque-heavy turbo-diesel engine, truly excelled.

Turning to the 2022 RAM 1500, customers could choose from several engines. The standard 3.6-liter V6 featured eTorque, a mild-hybrid system enhancing both performance and efficiency. For those favoring a traditional engine sound and power, a 5.7-liter V8, with or without eTorque, was available. Additionally, the TRX trim boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, derived from Dodge’s Hellcat engine line.

Our test model came with the pricier EcoDiesel engine, adding $3,200. With 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, the turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 also coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Depending on configuration, it could tow up to 12,560 pounds and haul a payload of up to 2,300 pounds.

EPA ratings for our RAM 1500 suggested 24 mpg in combined driving. We exceeded that, averaging 24.8 mpg during our testing loop in automatic 4WD and with the air suspension in a mid-height setting—likely aided by the tonneau cover.

Ram’s rear coil-spring suspension design, bolstered with optional air suspension, has earned a reputation for best-in-class ride comfort. The quietness of the cabin helped make long trips through Los Angeles traffic bearable, with minimal wind, road, and engine noise complementing the luxurious interior setup.

Despite its size, the RAM 1500 managed to convey an SUV-like ride, qualities contributing to an exceptionally smooth driving experience, even through mountain passes with tighter lanes and construction zones revealing minor inconveniences.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator wasn't designed with the utmost comfort in mind. Its snug cabin, small door openings, and tight rear legroom took getting used to. The higher mounting of side steps or rails added another challenge, making entry and exit harder and potentially dirty if mud was involved.

Practical storage inside the Gladiator was somewhat limited. Owners could access door panel nets, a center console bin under the armrest, cupholders, a dash-top tray, and a relatively small glove compartment. A locking, removable bin under the rear seat provided additional secured storage.

With a 5-foot steel cargo box, the Gladiator could hold up to 35.5 cubic feet of cargo. Its adjustable tailgate design accommodated sheets of plywood flat on the wheel wells, and various features, like a spray-in bedliner and cargo organizers, offered added utility. Payload capacities ranged from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds, depending on trim, engine, and transmission.

In contrast, the 2022 RAM 1500's interior exuded luxury. We had to navigate through numerous menus in the new Uconnect 5 system to re-enable the power-deploying running boards. While requiring an adjustment period, these steps aided entry when paired with the air suspension at a middle setting.

Once inside, the RAM 1500 Limited offered outstanding comfort with heated and ventilated seats front and rear, a heated steering wheel, and reclining back seats. Storage was generous with multiple covered and uncovered spaces, including large center consoles, rear armrests, door panels, and concealed under-floor bins. Rear seat cushions could flip up to convert the rear cabin into a sizable cargo area.

The multi-functional tailgate could either swing open in individual sections or drop down as a single piece, supporting up to 2,000 pounds. A deployable bed step facilitated easy access. While the test vehicle lacked the optional RamBox storage bins, these compartments offered secure in-bed storage.

Despite being rooted in tradition, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered commendable modern technology. While the standard Uconnect 3 system came with a 5-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio, it lacked advanced functionalities. Upgrading to the Uconnect 4 system, standard on Sport S trims, added a 7-inch touchscreen coupled with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Our test vehicle featured the top-tier Uconnect 4C system, boasting an 8.4-inch display and navigation, along with connected services like SiriusXM Guardian, remote engine start, and WiFi hotspot. The system also included an Alpine premium sound system and voice recognition technology that, while requiring precise prompts, remained sufficiently intuitive. Jeep's forward-facing Trail Cam, offered for the first time with the Overland trim, proved beneficial during off-road escapades.

For the 2022 RAM 1500, significant technological advancements included the transition to the next-generation Uconnect 5. Featuring faster loads and more responsive inputs, Uconnect 5 significantly improved over its predecessor.

Lower trims offered an 8.4-inch display, while higher trims, like our test vehicle, showcased a vertical 12-inch screen with adjacent climate controls. Key highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an Alexa Built-in assistant, satellite radio, and various connected services. The system was generally well-received, despite some voice recognition challenges and occasional boot-up issues.

The RAM 1500 could also be equipped with a head-up display, digital rearview camera mirror, and a trailer-specific surround-view camera system. Trailer-specific technology, such as Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring and Trailer Reverse Steering Control, further enhanced the truck’s functionality.

Basic safety in the 2021 Jeep Gladiator included a reversing camera. Depending on the trim and package, buyers could add advanced driver-assistance features 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 contained all these systems. Adaptive cruise control performed well during freeway tests, and the blind-spot monitoring was necessary due to narrow side mirrors. The Gladiator, however, received mixed crash-test ratings—four stars for frontal impact from NHTSA with the standard gasoline engine, and a three-star rating for rollover resistance.

On the 2022 RAM 1500, driver-assist features varied widely with trim levels. Basic trims offered lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Packages on higher trims added pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and more.

Our test truck included additional features like rear automatic braking, which proved overly sensitive on inclines, forcing us to deactivate it. Similarly, the LaneSense lane-keep assist was turned off due to its persistence in correcting minor lane deviations, although it was appreciated on crowded freeways. Adaptive cruise control responded smoothly to traffic flow, adding another layer of convenience and safety.

The RAM 1500 achieved high safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. However, it received four-star ratings for driver and front passenger frontal impacts.