Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tacoma

If you’re familiar with Jeep and Toyota, then you know just how tough the vehicles they produce are. Both manufacturers design some of the most sought-after off-road vehicles, and recently, Jeep just added a new model to its formidable lineup. That’s why we at Elkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram wanted to help drivers near Beverly and Belington, WV, make an educated decision on their next vehicle.

We put together this Jeep Gladiator vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison guide to highlight their differences. Continue reading to discover which of these versatile pickup trucks suits your driving lifestyle.

Competitive Engine Power

Jeep is known to manufacture some of the toughest vehicles—generally with a number of engine options. While the 2020 Gladiator only has one available engine, it still tops both the standardly equipped and available engine in the Toyota Tacoma. Additionally, the Jeep Gladiator only comes in all-wheel drive for more off-roading control while the base level Tacoma is two-wheel drive.

Under the hood of the Tacoma is a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). This setup produces up to 159 horsepower. Even when you opt for the available 3.5-liter V6 engine with the same transmission, your power output only increases to 278 horsepower.

When compared to the Jeep Gladiator’s 3.6-liter Pentastar® V6, neither of the Tacoma’s engines measure up. Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or an available 8-speed automatic, the 3.6-liter V6 generates up to 285 horsepower. The manual transmission provides more freedom over your driving experience while the automatic offers convenience.

Interior & Exterior Design Rivalry

The 2020 Gladiator—like the Wrangler—has a lot of variability when it comes to exterior design. With available features, you can remove the doors and fold down the windshield to get that much closer to the outdoors. Both the 2020 Tacoma and Gladiator also have specially designed truck beds to accommodate rougher loads, so there’s nothing to worry about if you need to haul a load of gravel.

There are some features that truly elevate the Jeep Gladiator, such as optimized suspension articulation, an available rear Trail Rail™ system, and water fording to ensure your engine won’t flood in depts of up to 30 inches. Both vehicles have waterproof rear bed outlets, but ultimately, the Gladiator has significantly more clearance, measuring in at 11.1 inches while the Tacoma only sits 9.4 inches above the ground.

Off-Road & Towing Competition

Neither one of these trucks will disappoint you with regard to towing power and off-road-ready features. The Gladiator and Tacoma each have all-wheel drive systems with traction control as well as locking rear differentials to cover your blind spots in low-traction environments. These work to distribute engine power to the wheels evenly so they can move at the same speed.

However, where Toyota stopped with the rear locking differential, Jeep added the same capability to the front wheels. This allows you to lock one or both simultaneously, which should provide substantially more traction.

As for towing weights, the 2020 Gladiator and the Tacoma are comparable, but the Gladiator has the advantage. When properly equipped, the Jeep Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 pounds while the Toyota Tacoma’s maximum towing capacity is 6,400 pounds.

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tacoma: Which One Is for You?

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what these trucks have to offer and have found our guide to the Jeep Gladiator vs. Toyota Tacoma helpful in your automotive journey. The 2020 Gladiator and Tacoma are prepared to tackle anything from a DIY home improvement project to your next outdoor excursion.

However, the auto experts at Elkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram think that you’ll prefer this year’s Jeep Gladiator.

Once you’re ready to get behind the wheel of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, we welcome you to contact us to schedule a test drive near the Beverly and Belington, WV, areas.