2023 Toyota Tacoma vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator didn’t see many updates, although a notable addition was the Gladiator Freedom Edition. This new variant honored American servicemembers and came with unique gloss black wheels, body-color fender flares, a winch-capable steel front bumper, steel rock rails, LED headlights, cloth seats with leather trim, and special decals. Jeep also supported military charities with $250 donations for each sold unit and extended a $500 discount to current and recently retired service members.

Changes also included a new High Velocity Yellow paint color, more standard equipment for the Willys model, and a new Capability Package for the High Altitude model, featuring a winch-capable steel front bumper, steel rock rails, and a front off-road camera system.

The Gladiator lineup had nine trim levels, with the starting point being the Sport trim at $38,305 and climbing up to $54,475 for the High Altitude trim, excluding the destination charge of $1,595. Our test drive was centered around the Gladiator Mojave, featuring advanced suspension components designed for high-speed desert driving.

Options on our test unit included an automatic transmission, Granite Crystal paint, a black hardtop with an extra-cost headliner, a spray-in bedliner, a Trailer Tow Package, a Premium LED Lighting Group, an Active Safety Group, an Advanced Safety Group, all-weather floor mats, and a front off-road camera (TrailCam). These upgrades escalated the MSRP to $62,160, including the destination charge.

Despite being pricey for a midsize pickup, the Gladiator stood out as the only truck offering a removable top, removable doors, or a diesel engine option, marking its distinct off-roading capabilities. Structurally similar to but longer than the Wrangler, the Gladiator sometimes appeared awkwardly proportioned due to its extended wheelbase necessary for accommodating the crew cab and cargo box.

Mojave models added a non-functional hood scoop and distinctive high-clearance fender flares adorned with orange accents, enhancing its off-road-ready appearance. Inside, it mirrored the utilitarian yet durable interior of the Wrangler, which included features like easy-to-clean surfaces and strategically placed drain holes. The Mojave trim, however, added upscale touches such as orange-trimmed air vents and contrast stitching on fabric seats with patterned inserts.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered a range of trim levels from the base SR up to the TRD Pro. Choices included SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and the Trail Special Edition trim level. New for this year were the SR5 SX and Chrome Packages, providing buyers with options for either stealthy or flashy aesthetics.

Our test vehicle was the TRD Pro, standing out in Solar Octane paint and featuring off-road-specific modifications like underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, a TRD sport exhaust, and a unique grille with bold “TOYOTA” lettering. The TRD Pro trim also included a unique hood scoop and blacked-out badging, emphasizing its rugged ethos.

Interior-wise, the Tacoma varied from basic fabric-and-plastic layouts in the SR trim to the comfort of leather upholstery and soft-touch materials in Limited trims. Our TRD Pro was appointed with Softex leather-upholstered seats, offering heating for the front seats, and was accompanied by practical features like all-weather floor mats. We also appreciated the physical controls for climate and infotainment functions, which remained easy to use even with gloves on.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered limited drivetrain options compared to the Wrangler. The standard powerplant was a 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. An optional 260-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 442 lb-ft of torque was available, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, this diesel engine was geared more towards enhancing fuel economy rather than towing capacity.

Jeep equipped the Gladiator with Command-Trac part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) with a two-speed transfer case as standard. Some models could be upgraded to Selec-Trac full-time 4WD. Unique to Rubicon models was the Rock-Trac 4WD system with a Tru-Lok locking front differential, while both the Rubicon and Mojave models had a Tru-Lok locking rear differential.

Our Mojave test vehicle ran on the gas V6 engine with Command-Trac and a locking rear differential. Fuel economy was rated by the EPA at 19 mpg combined, but we averaged 17.3 mpg. Despite the truck’s loud interior—due to inherent wind and engine noise exacerbated at higher speeds—the Mojave’s suspension proved adept at handling both urban and rugged terrains.

Put through its paces on varied terrains including Southern California’s rutted paths, the Mojave’s Fox shocks showcased their capability, providing a smoother ride compared to the Wrangler. Maneuvering through cramped city environments was largely manageable, although the vehicle's length posed some challenges. On highways, however, the Gladiator exhibited steering imprecision, necessitating constant corrections, which could be disconcerting especially around larger oncoming vehicles.

For city and country driving experiences alike, the Gladiator’s unique dynamic qualities elicited a mix of admiration and frustration, embodying a character true to the old-school truck experience.

Alternatively, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered a baseline 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, managed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Most Tacoma buyers preferred the available 3.5-liter V6, which delivered 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque and came with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Our TRD Pro test vehicle utilized the V6 with an automatic transmission and 4WD setup. Although the V6 provided a notable power improvement over the four-cylinder, getting up to highway speed required heavy accelerator input, resulting in significant engine roar and consistent wind noise. Road noise was also prominent due to the all-terrain tires.

Within city environments, the Tacoma’s V6 offered satisfying, albeit not swift, acceleration from stops. The TRD Pro’s off-road-tuned suspension adeptly tackled worn city streets, but its vague steering and propensity to wander on paved roads posed some drawbacks. Fuel economy for our test drive averaged 16.3 mpg.

The Tacoma struggled to keep pace with its modernized competitors. While off-road capabilities were strong, exemplified by Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl control on our TRD Pro, the overall driving experience highlighted the truck’s dated characteristics.

Entering and exiting the 2023 Jeep Gladiator demanded some agility, especially the rear through the narrow crew cab doors. Optional side steps, supposedly aiding this task, were more of a hindrance, being positioned to maintain off-road angles and thus better skipped.

Once inside, the manually adjustable driver’s seat was initially comfortable, though its tendency to self-lower over time due to an awkwardly positioned lever necessitated frequent readjustments. Heated seats and steering wheel options were available to extend open-air driving comfort. Rear seating was reasonably spacious for adults, although tall passengers might feel cramped due to the plastic front seatbacks. Storage options included door panel netting, multiple cupholders, and several bins, including a large one under the back seat.

The Gladiator’s five-foot-long, 35.5 cubic-foot steel cargo box was shallower compared to rivals but featured enhancements like a spray-in bedliner, tonneau cover, three-position tailgate, LED lighting, and a Trail Rail Management System with adjustable tie-downs and a 115-volt AC power outlet. Additionally, features like a portable Bluetooth speaker and a class-leading payload capacity of up to 1,710 pounds in the right trims, made it versatile.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma provided generous configuration choices. The access cab came with six-foot-one-inch bed and clamshell doors, fitting tight rear seats best suited for light cargo. The double cab offered a better option with its four full doors, despite tight legroom at the back. Entry could be challenging due to the truck’s height, but the quality of the seating improved significantly in the double cab.

Front seat arrangements were practical but not flawless. Space was adequate, but the steering wheel’s limited extension and an awkward pedal position compromised driving comfort for taller users. Storage solutions included ample cubby space, and exterior cargo compartments could accommodate various gear sizes.

Cargo capacity comparisons leaned in favor of the Gladiator for its adaptable storage options and higher payload ratings. The Tacoma’s strengths lay in its off-road readiness and practical configurations.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator maintained a rugged exterior while integrating significant tech features. Our test truck sported an Off-Road+ mode, a TrailCam forward-facing camera, and the Off-Road Pages program on the Uconnect touchscreen, enhancing off-road operations. The base tech setup involved a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports, and an eight-speaker stereo. An 8.4-inch touchscreen upgrade brought features like navigation, connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Alexa, SiriusXM, and an optional nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system.

While comprehensive, the voice recognition technology underperformed, and features like passive keyless entry and dual-zone automatic climate control with a high-efficiency air filter added convenience, even humorously so in open-air settings.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma’s tech package was straightforward but slightly dated. It included a 7-inch touchscreen standard in SR trims and an 8-inch screen in higher trims, supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM (with subscription). Despite the intuitive interface, it lagged behind more modern competitors in terms of visual and functional sophistication.

Our test Tacoma had a premium six-speaker JBL audio setup and two USB-A ports. The fundamental tech needs were met, but it lacked the refinement and advanced offerings of trucks from rival brands like Chevrolet and Honda.

Standard safety features in the Jeep Gladiator were basic, and the list of available upgrades was limited. Our test model incorporated SiriusXM Guardian Services, offering features across three subscription plans, depending on the selected package. The optional Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors—highly recommended due to the Gladiator’s small exterior mirrors and three-star rollover resistance from the NHTSA.

An Advanced Safety Group further introduced adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Missing from the Gladiator’s safety suite were any lane departure or lane-keeping assistance systems. In crash tests, the NHTSA awarded four stars for frontal-impact protection, while the IIHS rated the headlights as Marginal.

Toyota equipped every 2023 Tacoma with its Safety Sense (TSS) suite, comprising automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. Our TRD Pro included additional features like blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. Despite the solid safety tech foundation, the Tacoma lacked advanced elements like lane-keeping assistance and rear automatic emergency braking, contributing to its failure to achieve a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It did, however, receive four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with top marks in side-impact but less so in frontal crash and rollover tests.