2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

For 2023, the Ford Maverick still showcased the family resemblance inherent to Ford trucks, maintaining its distinctive blocky front end and headlights. The standout for aesthetic changes was the Tremor trim, which added blacked-out logos, headlights, and taillights. The new color, Avalanche Gray, made quite an impression with its lighter and less blue-tinged appearance. With the Tremor package, it sported unique “Tremor Orange” tow hooks, updated fender vents, and a new grille. Adding the $1,495 Tremor Appearance Package further accentuated the car's style with a Carbonized Gray roof, mirrors, and special 17-inch wheels with a Tremor Orange accent.

The base Maverick XL was equipped with Sparkle Silver-painted steel wheels, while the XLT and Lariat trims flaunted Carbonized Gray aluminum and Bright aluminum wheels, respectively. Inside, the Maverick included a lot of hard plastic, contrasting with the higher-quality appearance of materials covering the door cards and center console. The Black Onyx seats had a heathered texture, though its appeal in the long term was questionable.

For 2023, the Jeep Gladiator didn’t see extensive updates but introduced a new Gladiator Freedom Edition, honoring American service members with features like gloss black wheels and special decals. Modifications included a new High Velocity Yellow paint color and added standard equipment for the Willys model. The High Altitude trim received a new Capability Package featuring a winch-capable steel front bumper and an off-road camera system. The Gladiator Mojave model was designed for high-speed desert driving, with Fox 2.5-inch shocks, a front suspension lift, and 33-inch all-terrain tires, among other features.

Inside, the Gladiator Mojave displayed its rugged nature, similar to the Wrangler with plenty of plastic and rubber elements. It offered the convenience of easy-clean materials and drain holes in the floor for hosing out the foot wells. Orange accents and contrast stitching aimed to improve the cabin's aesthetic.

The 2023 Ford Maverick stood out as the first hybrid pickup truck, pairing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The default was a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 2.0-liter, 250-hp EcoBoost engine provided an eight-speed automatic transmission with an optional AWD upgrade. The new Tremor off-road package, available on XLT and Lariat trims, introduced the Advanced 4WD system capable of dynamic torque distribution, and came with Trail Control for off-road terrains. For the rugged-minded, the Tremor package added specialized springs, shocks, steel skid plates, a lift, and precise ground clearance and angle metrics. However, the FX4 Off-Road Package could be more suitable for hauling, as the Tremor’s adjustments reduced towing capacity to 2,000 lbs and payload to 1,200 lbs.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine choices: a standard 3.6-liter V6 generating 285 horsepower and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and a hefty 442 lb-ft of torque. While the gas V6 came with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic, the diesel paired exclusively with the automatic transmission. The Command-Trac 4WD system was standard, and higher models like the Rubicon and Mojave featured advanced systems like the Rock-Trac 4WD with locking differentials. The Mojave’s performance off-road was impressive, thanks to its specialized suspension, and it showed a balanced ride even in urban settings. On the highway, however, the Gladiator faced challenges with noise and steering precision, making long drives somewhat strenuous.

Adding the Tremor package made the Ford Maverick one inch longer, without affecting the legroom: front seats offered 42.8 inches, and rear seats provided 35.9 inches with the hybrid powertrain, slightly more with the gas engine. The Maverick surpassed the Hyundai Santa Cruz in legroom, aligned closely in headroom, and offered practical interior upgrades with the Luxury Package. The package added heated elements, leather-wrapped steering, and power-adjustable seats, complementing the truck’s utilitarian appeal. In terms of cargo, the Maverick’s payload maxed out at 1,200 lbs with the Tremor package, towing up to 4,000 lbs with the off-road packages.

Meanwhile, the Jeep Gladiator required some acrobatics to climb in, especially through the back seat’s narrow doors, compounded by less helpful side steps. The interior was equipped with features like height-adjustable driver’s seats, rear air conditioning vents, various storage compartments, and optional heated elements. Despite lesser cargo depth, the Gladiator’s five-foot-long, steel cargo bed offered 35.5 cubic feet of space, enhanced by numerous utility features like a spray-in bedliner and adjustable tie-downs. It could carry a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,710 pounds in the right configuration.

The Ford Maverick’s technology was straightforward, befitting its entry-level status. It included an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Though the graphics were basic, the system was functional, accompanied by a six-speaker audio system. Lariat trims boasted an advanced 6.5-inch driver information display and additional USB ports. The Luxury Package for Lariat added premium features like a B&O sound system, wireless charging, and SiriusXM services.

Conversely, the Jeep Gladiator featured modern tech beneath its rugged exterior. The standard 7-inch touchscreen system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a decent stereo system. At the higher end, an 8.4-inch touchscreen integrated a navigation system, connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio options like a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. However, the voice recognition system showed limitations, failing to respond accurately in some instances. Additional tech included an efficient passive keyless entry and a capable climate control system with a superior air filter.

Ford included its Co-Pilot 360 suite on the Maverick, offering features like automatic high beams, emergency braking, and a rearview camera. Optional enhancements included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, evasive steering assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA awarded the Maverick a four-star overall rating, with certain shortcomings in rollover resistance and frontal crash tests.

Safety on the Jeep Gladiator was more basic, enhanced through optional packages. SiriusXM Guardian Services provided emergency and collision notifications. The optional Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advanced Safety Group introduced adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. Gladiator’s NHTSA ratings included a four-star frontal impact score but criticized it for rollover resistance and headlight performance.