2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Jeep Gladiator

To create the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, Jeep started with its iconic Wrangler model. Lengthening and reinforcing the frame for towing and hauling, Jeep crafted a short 5-foot cargo bed designed to maintain the best possible departure angle. Despite its added utility, many found the Gladiator's tall, narrow design a bit odd at first. However, getting behind the wheel, especially on rugged terrains, quickly changed perceptions. The Gladiator's unique look and off-road prowess earned appreciation from those who enjoy inviting the outdoors in.

In 2021, Jeep introduced new variants. The Willys special edition added a blacked-out grille, limited-slip rear differential, rock rails, and 32-inch all-terrain tires. The 80th Anniversary Edition featured unique badges and materials, while the High Altitude luxury model introduced body-color detailing, black 20-inch wheels, and premium Nappa leather.

Traditionally starting at $33,545, the base Jeep Gladiator Sport came minimally equipped with a manual transmission, all-season tires, and a simple radio setup. Testing, however, often involved more luxurious Overland trims, like one that featured a new turbo-diesel engine, almost every optional extra, and a price tag around $58,525, including destination charges.

Inside, the Gladiator closely mirrored the Wrangler’s cabin, emphasizing durable materials and practical design elements. Optional features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery. Small details and Easter eggs further enhanced the interior's appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the beginning of its third production generation. With every component redesigned, the Tundra took on a more dynamic and expressive exterior. The hexagonal grille changed depending on trim, with variations in chrome, black, dark chrome, or gray finishes. The TRD Pro trim stood out with retro "TOYOTA" lettering above an LED strip light and a technical camo pattern, both on the exterior and carried into the cabin.

Chiseled and muscular side styling, solid wheel arches, and neatly integrated LED taillamps characterized the new Tundra’s aesthetic. Subtle exterior differences in the trim levels extended to the vehicle's side profile, which varied with off-road suspension equipment.

Inside, the Tundra embraced a trend towards premium materials and amenities. The standout feature remained its 14-inch touchscreen, optional on SR5 and standard on higher trims. Interior design coherence extended from the exterior shapes to ensure a cohesive vehicle look—indicating comprehensive redesign and innovation.

Until 2021, the Jeep Gladiator's engine offering was limited to a 3.6-liter gasoline V6. With the introduction of a new 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6, powertrain options diversified. This engine, priced at an additional $4,000, was available across most trims, except Mojave. The diesel engine produced 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and a significant 442 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 rpm to 2,800 rpm. It offered robust low-end power and better fuel economy than the standard gas engine—averaging 22.6 mpg during testing.

In terms of towing, the Gladiator demonstrated versatility. The Sport trim with the standard V6 engine and an automatic transmission could tow up to 7,650 pounds and haul up to 1,700 pounds with a manual transmission. The turbo-diesel, while impressive, slightly lagged in maximum towing capacity due to cooling restrictions brought by the seven-slot grille, yet could still tow between 6,000 to 6,500 pounds.

Off-road, the diesel Gladiator Rubicon showcased exceptional capability, especially in low-speed environments. Engaging the Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system, the Gladiator effortlessly navigated tough trails, capitalizing on torque available at just 1,400 rpm. However, typical Jeep charms like stiff ride quality, notable wind noise, and less-than-precise steering persisted.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra moved away from its former naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8 engine. The base i-Force engine—a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6—produced 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, offering more power than its predecessor. However, the real star was the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. Combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, it delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.

Both powertrains paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, providing seamless power delivery and an enhanced driving experience. Toyota’s estimates suggested the i-Force could achieve 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined (RWD).

Supporting these powertrains, the Tundra’s new chassis and suspension improved handling significantly. The front maintained an independent double-wishbone setup, while the rear transitioned to a multi-link configuration with coil springs. Optional adaptive suspension and load-leveling features further refined the driving experience. Off-road capability was enhanced with the TRD Off-Road package, and on-road performance was complemented by the TRD Sport package.

Comfort was not the primary focus for the Jeep Gladiator. The seats provided adequate support, but the snug cabin, small door openings, and tight rear legroom required adjustment. High-mounted side steps or rails, intended to preserve breakover angle, sometimes proved counterproductive, making entry and exit challenging. In-cabin storage included netting on door panels, a small center console bin, cupholders, and a modest glove compartment.

The Gladiator's 5-foot cargo box was practical, offering 35.5 cubic feet of space and features like tie-down hooks, an adjustable tailgate, and optional spray-in bedliner. Depending on the trim and configuration, payload capacities varied from 1,075 to 1,535 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra offered two configurations—Double Cab and CrewMax—both accommodating five passengers. While Double Cab models provided 33.3 inches of rear legroom, CrewMax models impressed with 41.6 inches, rivaling typical SUVs. The beds varied between 5.5, 6.5, and 8.1 feet, depending on cab configuration.

Innovatively, the Tundra incorporated an aluminum-reinforced composite bed, maintaining durability while reducing weight. This design resisted dents, scratches, and rust without necessitating a bedliner. Payload capacities reached 1,980 pounds.

Towing capacity was a key strength for the Tundra, capable of pulling up to 12,000 pounds. Standard towing features included trailer sway control, TOW/HAUL mode, trailer brake control, and optional advanced towing technologies, like a trailer backup guide system with straight path assist.

Despite its old-school roots, the Jeep Gladiator incorporated modern technology. Standard features included FCA Uconnect 3 with a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, and voice text reply for Android. Higher trims like Sport S introduced Uconnect 4 with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The top Uconnect 4C system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, SiriusXM Guardian services, and an Alpine premium sound system. Despite its user-friendly interface, the technology showed signs of aging with slower response times and specific voice recognition prompts. Additionally, Jeep introduced a forward-facing Trail Cam for Overland trims, useful for off-road navigation.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra significantly updated its tech offering. An 8-inch touchscreen with six or nine speakers was standard in lower trims, with a 14-inch touchscreen becoming standard in higher trims. All models came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system.

Noteworthy in the Tundra were the digital instrument panels—with a combination analog/digital screen for lower trims and a stunning 12.3-inch full digital display for higher trims. Additional tech included a head-up display on selected trims, a multi-terrain select system with crawl control, and off-road cameras. Qi-compatible wireless charging and practical 12-volt power taps demonstrated thoughtful design for modern needs.

Safety in the 2021 Jeep Gladiator started modestly, with a reversing camera as standard. Available advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Crash-test ratings at the time included a four-star frontal-impact rating from NHTSA and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) on all models. This suite encompassed features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Additional standard features included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, and multiple airbags. Blind-spot monitoring was available starting from the SR5 trim. However, as of the publication, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were pending.