2023 Jeep Gladiator vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

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. For each unit sold, Jeep donated $250 to military charities, 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 lineup offered nine trim levels, starting at $38,305 for the basic Sport trim and reaching $54,475 for the High Altitude trim, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. The Mojave model, designed for high-speed desert driving, featured Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, a 1-inch front suspension lift, 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 2024 Chevrolet Colorado underwent a significant redesign, adopting a bold, aggressive look reminiscent of the Camaro. The interior followed suit with a clean, ergonomic layout and Camaro-inspired circular climate control vents. The Colorado was available in five trim levels: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2. Even the base WT model came well-equipped with a digital instrument panel, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added features like alloy wheels and a remote locking tailgate, while the Trail Boss and ZR2 models catered to off-road enthusiasts with lifted suspensions and all-terrain tires. The ZR2 Bison, an upgraded version of the ZR2, featured additional off-road protection and unique bodywork. Overall, the Colorado offered a well-rounded package with a focus on both on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered two engine options: 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 engine, while improving fuel economy, had a lower towing capacity. The Gladiator featured Command-Trac part-time 4WD, with upgrades available for certain models. The Mojave model, equipped with the gas V6 and Command-Trac, averaged 17.3 mpg in combined driving. The Gladiator's powertrain provided strong off-the-line acceleration, but passing power was limited. The Mojave's suspension excelled on rough terrain, offering a smoother ride compared to the Wrangler. However, the Gladiator's length made maneuvering in tight spaces challenging, and its on-road noise and steering imprecision could be tiring.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came with two turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines. The base version produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo Max version delivered 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ZR2 Bison, with the upgraded powertrain, offered strong acceleration and a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. The Bison's Multimatic DSSV dampers provided excellent shock absorption, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On paved roads, the ZR2 Bison maintained a comfortable ride, though its off-road suspension resulted in some body roll. Overall, the Colorado offered a balanced driving experience, excelling in both off-road and on-road conditions.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator required some practice to enter and exit, especially through the narrow rear doors. Optional side steps were more of a hindrance than a help. The interior featured a manually height-adjustable driver's seat, with available heated front seats and steering wheel. The rear seats offered good legroom and air conditioning vents, but taller passengers might find the plastic front seatback panels uncomfortable. Storage options included door panel netting, cupholders, and a center armrest bin. The Gladiator's five-foot cargo box, while lacking depth, could be enhanced with features like a spray-in bedliner and Trail Rail Management System. The Gladiator boasted a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,710 pounds.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado was available in a four-door quad cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed. The interior offered a car-like seating position, providing comfort on long trips. Front-row space was ample, but second-row legroom was tight for taller passengers. The Colorado's layout included a user-friendly shifter and controls, though the low cupholders could be inconvenient. The bed featured high walls and a floor, with larger steps in the rear bumper for easier access. The ZR2 Bison's bed space was reduced due to the spare tire placement. Overall, the Colorado offered a practical and comfortable interior, with some limitations in rear passenger space.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator, despite its rugged appearance, offered several tech features. The Mojave model included an Off-Road+ driving mode and an optional TrailCam forward-facing camera. The standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker stereo. An optional 8.4-inch touchscreen added navigation, connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The test vehicle included a portable Bluetooth speaker and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. However, the voice recognition system was lacking. Additional tech features included passive keyless entry and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with an air filter.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado featured an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a logical layout and hard-button controls. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a digital dock for easy navigation. The system also had a digital home button and volume dial for user-friendly operation. Standard tech features included an 11-inch digital instrument panel, USB ports, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. The LT trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports. Overall, the Colorado's infotainment system was intuitive and well-equipped, catering to both tech-savvy users and everyday commuters.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered minimal standard safety features, with optional packages available. The test vehicle included SiriusXM Guardian Services, offering emergency calling and collision notification. The optional Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Gladiator received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a four-star frontal-impact protection rating. The IIHS rated the Gladiator's headlights as Marginal.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The ZR2 offered an underbody camera feature. The NHTSA awarded the Colorado four stars for frontal crash testing and five stars for side crash testing, with a three-star rollover rating.