2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

In the past, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was a conversation starter due to its aggressive and somewhat polarizing exterior design. It borrowed cues from the bold styling of other Chevrolet vehicles, which some found appealing, while others thought it screamed "overcompensation." Features like the small headlights with body panels jutting into the grille area looked odd to some observers, contributing to a mixed bag of opinions. Nevertheless, Silverado's appearance packages, such as the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition, offered some visual upgrades.

Inside, the Silverado 1500 was far more agreeable. The layout of controls was intuitive, focusing on functionality over form. The Silverado's interior transformed based on the trim, leading to two distinct design languages. The Work Truck (WT) and Custom trims sported pre-2022 facelift interiors with smaller screens and more hard controls. Higher trims boasted a modern setup replete with a large touchscreen and upgraded materials. For instance, the LT trim introduced the high-tech infotainment system along with dual-zone automatic climate control and a fully digital instrument panel, making the Silverado 1500 feel quite upscale.

On the flip side, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator retained much of its rugged charm and simplicity. The exterior stayed true to its off-road lineage, with modifications like a high-velocity yellow paint color and a steel front bumper on certain trims. The Mojave trim we tested featured practical but unique elements like Fox shocks, high-clearance fender flares, and a hood scoop for aesthetic purposes.

Once inside, the Gladiator offered a straightforward and hardy atmosphere. It mimicked the Wrangler, with interior plastics and rubber that were easy to clean and weather-resistant. The Mojave brought some additional polish, with orange air vent surrounds, contrast stitching, and fabric seats with illuminated "Mojave" branding. The practical nature of the interior extended to easy clean-up features like drilled drain holes in the floorboards, demonstrating its utility-first design ethos.

Powered by a diverse lineup of engines, the Silverado 1500 catered to varied performance needs. Its base engine was a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those craving more muscle, the optional 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered a hearty 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. An alternative for diesel lovers came in the form of a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel, offering 305 hp and a robust 495 lb-ft of torque.

While rear-wheel drive was standard, four-wheel drive was available across the board. The base four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the V8 and diesel engines utilized a 10-speed automatic. With the 6.2-liter V8 and Max Towing package, the Silverado 1500 could tow a staggering 13,300 pounds; the 5.3-liter V8 allowed for an 11,000-pound tow capacity. A maximum payload capacity of 2,260 pounds was achieved with the base four-cylinder and RWD.

In contrast, the Gladiator offered just two engines. The base engine was a 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 matched to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 produced 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque but couldn't tow as much, focusing instead on fuel efficiency. Command-Trac part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case was standard, while high-end trims like the Rubicon and Mojave offered specialized Rock-Trac and Tru-Lok locking differentials.

On the road, the Gladiator's V6 provided decent grunt, mapped out for strong low-speed throttle response. Our Mojave configuration was tailored for high-speed desert escapades, with Fox shocks proving their worth over rugged terrain. Although the Mojave handled urban environments surprisingly well, absorbing bumps and navigating obstacles, its highway manners included some noisy cabin experiences and less precise steering.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of body styles, including a regular cab, double cab, and crew cab, each with different bed lengths ranging from 5 feet 8 inches to 8 feet. The regular cab seated three, featuring a front bench seat with a versatile center section that doubled as a console.

The double cab, boasting conventional car doors, facilitated effortless rear seat access, though legroom was somewhat restricted. The full four-door crew cab dazzled with abundant headroom and legroom, and the rear bench's ability to fold upwards added significant in-cabin cargo capacity for tools and valuable items.

Jeep Gladiator, on the other hand, structured its crew cab for utility and comfort. Climbing into the rear cabin was easier without the optional side steps, which obstructed more than they aided. The manually height-adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable but required frequent readjustment. The rear seats, designed with good legroom and air conditioning vents, offered decent adult comfort despite using hard plastic front seatbacks for utility storage.

Cargo utility in the Gladiator was highlighted by its five-foot steel cargo bed with options like a spray-in bedliner and Trail Rail Management System. While the Gladiator’s bed depth lagged behind competitors, features like a portable Bluetooth speaker and best-in-class payload capacity of 1,710 pounds compensated for its shortcomings.

While basic trims of the Silverado 1500 featured a 7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, higher trims adopted a 13.4-inch touchscreen that offered wireless connectivity for both. The top-tier infotainment setup dazzled with sharp graphics and instant responses. Additional tech included a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging, and multiple USB ports for ample device support.

Jeep Gladiator's technology suite retained a utilitarian feel despite notable updates. Our Mojave model boasted Off-Road+ mode and TrailCam forward-facing camera, which were invaluable during off-road ventures. The standard 7-inch touchscreen supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional upgrade to an 8.4-inch display bringing navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Alexa integration. The premium nine-speaker Alpine sound system amplified the entertainment experience.

Although the voice recognition system in the Gladiator occasionally faltered, other tech features like passive keyless entry and a dual-zone automatic climate control system were appreciated. Jeep's infotainment may have appeared basic, but the essential technologies were well-presented.

The Silverado 1500 ticked all boxes with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection. The Teen Driver system allowed for overseeing younger drivers with set speed and audio limits. Higher trims introduced advanced safety tech like blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, and GM’s Super Cruise for semi-autonomous driving.

Though it lacked extensive standard safety features, the Gladiator stepped up with option packages enhancing safety capabilities. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, critical for the truck's limited rear visibility. Our test vehicle also included the Advanced Safety Group, which brought forward collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control. Despite a three-star rollover rating from NHTSA, these upgrades improved the Gladiator's safety credentials.