2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator retained much of its previous design, with a few notable updates. A new Gladiator Freedom Edition was introduced to honor American servicemen and servicewomen, featuring gloss black wheels, body-color fender flares, and special decals. Jeep committed to donating $250 to military charities for each one sold, and offered a $500 discount to active and recently retired service members. Other updates included a new High Velocity Yellow paint color and added standard equipment for the Willys model. The Gladiator Mojave, our test model, was equipped for high-speed desert driving with features like Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Despite its high price, the Gladiator offered unique features like a removable top and doors, and a diesel engine option, making it a standout in the midsize pickup class.

The Gladiator's design was based on the Wrangler, but with a longer wheelbase and fortified frame for pickup duties. This resulted in a unique look, akin to an automotive mullet, prioritizing function over form. Inside, the Gladiator mirrored the Wrangler with its easy-to-clean plastic and rubber materials, and practical features like drilled drain holes in the floorboards. The Mojave model added orange detailing and contrast stitching, enhancing the cabin's quality. While basic, the interior was a step up from older Jeep models, offering a blend of ruggedness and modern comfort.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution with a complete redesign. It was available in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. The XL trim offered basic comforts, while the XLT added features like cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Lariat trim introduced modern amenities such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a 12-inch touchscreen. Our test model, the King Ranch, was a luxury truck with 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and less chrome than previous versions. It featured a beautifully styled interior with two-tone brown leather, a Bang & Olufsen stereo system, and Pro Power Onboard for 2-kilowatt power output. The Platinum and Limited trims offered similar comforts with more cosmopolitan styling and additional features.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine choices: a standard 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, and an optional 260-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option improved fuel economy but had a lower towing capacity. The Gladiator featured Command-Trac part-time 4WD, with upgrades available for certain models. Our Mojave test model had the gas V6 and Command-Trac with a locking rear differential, averaging 17.3 mpg in combined driving. The Gladiator excelled in off-road conditions, with its Fox shocks proving effective on rough terrain. However, it was noisy inside, and the steering required constant correction on highways.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 6.8-liter gas V8 producing 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. A 7.3-liter V8 was also available, delivering 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. The F-250's diesel option, a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, produced 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, with a high-output version offering 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed power efficiently, providing lively acceleration. The Super Duty's towing capacity maxed at 22,000 pounds with the right configuration. Despite its size, the truck was manageable in traffic, with precise steering and helpful features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator required practice to enter and exit, especially through the narrow rear doors. Optional side steps were more of a hindrance than a help. Inside, the manually adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable but required frequent readjustment. The rear seats offered good legroom and air conditioning vents, but taller passengers might find the plastic front seatback panels uncomfortable. Storage options included netting on door panels, cupholders, and a deep but narrow center armrest bin. The Gladiator's five-foot cargo box lacked depth but offered features like a spray-in bedliner and a Trail Rail Management System. It boasted a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,710 pounds.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with bed lengths of 6.75 or 8 feet. The SuperCab's rear-hinged doors required the front doors to be open, providing a wide opening. Our test model featured a Warn winch and a soft-opening tailgate. Bed steps and grip handles aided access to the large truck. Inside, the F-250 offered ample storage, with numerous cupholders, a massive center storage bin, and dual glove boxes. The Super Crew's rear seats folded up for additional cargo space.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator featured an Off-Road+ driving mode and an optional TrailCam forward-facing camera. The standard 7-inch touchscreen included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot was available. Our test vehicle had these features, but the voice recognition system was lacking. Additional tech included passive keyless entry and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with an air filter.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system was an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model had a 12-inch screen with wireless connectivity and a logical control layout. The F-250 offered multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging. Trailer Navigation was available, optimizing routes based on trailer weight and dimensions.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator had minimal standard safety features, with optional packages adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Our test vehicle had these options, which were effective. The NHTSA gave the Gladiator a four-star frontal-impact rating, but its headlights were rated Marginal by the IIHS.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting at the XLT trim, included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite with features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Our test model had dual-tier power-adjustable mirrors and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system. The F-250 also offered a backup camera for when the tailgate was lowered. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the Super Duty.