The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is a truly unique vehicle that's unmatched anywhere else in the automotive world. It has the same kind of off-road credentials and capability as the Jeep Wrangler and it adds the functionality of a pickup bed in the back. The Toyota Tacoma is also an appealing pickup that's the most popular mid-size truck in the country. Let's compare the strengths of both and see why we think the Jeep Gladiator wins at Santa Monica Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Santa Monica CA.
A performance comparison
The 2022 Jeep Gladiator and the 2022 Toyota Tacoma both offer outstanding drivetrain choices. The Jeep Gladiator has a 3.6-liter V6 that can give you 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Toyota Tacoma runs with a smaller 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that can only come up with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. So when it comes to base engines, the Jeep Gladiator is the winner of round #1.
When we compare bigger engines, things tighten up a little. The Jeep Gladiator has a 3.0-liter V6 diesel powertrain that's capable of 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The new Toyota Tacoma offers an available 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower, but it can't quite match the Jeep Gladiator in the very important torque measurement. The Tacoma can give you only 265 pound-feet so the Jeep Gladiator is the winner of round #2.
Comparing off-road capabilities
This is a point of comparison where the Jeep G has an inherent advantage thanks to its Jeep lineage. The Toyota Tacoma is a very good choice if you simply need a solid mid-range pickup but if you're going off-road, the Jeep Gladiator comes out ahead. The Gladiator lets you remove the tops and the doors just like its rugged cousin the Jeep Wrangler but you just can't do that in a Toyota Tacoma. That's why the Jeep Gladiator wins round #3.
A ground clearance comparison
Any time you go off road, ground clearance becomes an important part of your experience. The 2022 Jeep Gladiator gives you ground clearance of up to 11.1 inches while the Toyota Tacoma has a ground clearance of only 9.4 inches. Even that small difference can have an impact off-road, so the winner of round #3 is the Jeep Gladiator.
A comparison of towing capabilities
Whether you want to tow a boat for some vacation fun or need to pull a trailer during the work week, towing is an important factor. The Jeep Gladiator can tow as much as 7,700 pounds when it's properly equipped while the Toyota Tacoma can tow only 6,800 pounds. That 900-pound difference means the winner of round #4 is the Jeep Gladiator.
Towing features you'll find only on the Jeep Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma both have towing features that can come in very handy but we believe the Jeep Gladiator gives you a better list of towing features:
- Class IV trailer hitch
- Dana® 44 wide axles
- ParkView® Rear Back-Up Camera
- 3.73 or 4.10 rear axle gear ratio
- Integrated trailer brake controller
A comparison of reliability
Year after year, it's true that Toyota is ranked among the world's most reliable automotive brands. That's why it's significant that the Jeep Gladiator actually gets better reliability scores than the Toyota Tacoma. J.D. Power gave the Jeep Gladiator a score of 85 out of 100 while the Toyota Tacoma received a score of 81 out of 100. So if you're looking for a pickup with the heart of a Jeep, test drive the new Jeep Gladiator at Santa Monica Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Santa Monica CA.
