2021 Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger

If you are looking to haul around a ton of material, you're going to need a heavy-duty truck that's up to the challenge. Two of the best pickups on the market are the Jeep Gladiator or Ford Ranger. Both of these trucks come with sizable engine options, superior towing and payload capacities, and some amazing tech features, but which one has the advantage? For the answer, we here at National Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram have compared both of these vehicles. Continue reading to see which one comes out on top!

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2021 Jeep Gladiator Power & Handling

There are two impressive engine options available for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, and they both provide you with unstoppable power. Coming standard is a 3.6-liter V6 that kicks out 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, both of which provide you with a smooth ride. New to the Gladiator lineup this year is a diesel-powered 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel that delivers 260 horsepower and a spectacular 442 lb-ft of torque which exclusively gets an eight-speed automatic transmission. All trim levels come with a 5-foot bed and standard four-wheel-drive. Looking to haul around tons of material? The Gladiator is perfect for that as it has a 7,650-pound towing capacity and a 1,700-pound payload capacity.

2021 Ford Ranger Power & Handling

There is only one engine available for the 2021 Ranger, and it's a solid 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that comes with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with a smooth ten-speed automatic transmission, sending power to either the rear or all four wheels. Unfortunately, unlike the Jeep Gladiator, the Ranger does not have the option of a diesel engine, so you're going to be limited when it comes to horsepower and torque. Towing numbers for the Ranger and decent at 7,500 pounds, but that is less than what the Gladiator offers.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Features & Design

Four trims are available for the Jeep Gladiator, and each one comes with an impressive amount of features. Starting things off is the Sport which has cruise control, a manually adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an eight-speaker audio system, and a 5-inch central display with voice control capability. Also coming standard is a soft folding top, removable doors, and a fold-down front windshield. Building on this is the Overland which adds automatic headlights, power windows, heated power mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 7-inch central display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Looking to do some serious off-roading? The Rubicon is the trim for you as it has several advanced off-road features such as a 4.10 rear axle ratio, 33-inch all-terrain tires, fenders with increased clearance, FOX shock absorbers, locking front and rear differentials, and body-protecting rock rails and skid plates. The final trim of the Mojave has more performance-enhanced features such as a reinforced frame, FOX internal bypass shock absorbers, and Desert Rated badge.

2021 Ford Ranger Features & Design

Only three main trims are available for the Ford Ranger, but you do get some interesting features with each. Kicking things off is the XL which has 16-inch steel wheels, a manually locking tailgate, air conditioning, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a wi-fi hotspot. Optional is a 101A package with cruise control, power mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Ford's Sync 3 system. The second trim is the XLT, which has alloy wheels, keyless entry, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Several packages are available for the XLT, which adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote ignition, power-folding mirrors, front parking sensors, navigation, and adaptive cruise control to the mix. The top trim is the Lariat which rounds things out with LED headlights and leather upholstery.

Conclusion:

While there is a lot to like about both of these pickups, we will give the victory to the 2021 Jeep Gladiator! The Gladiator has the more impressive engines, and there are several features that the Gladiator has that the Ranger does not. Want to take a test drive of this unique truck? Head down to National Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and schedule a test drive with one of our friendly team members! We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the Gladiator, and we can even accompany you on the test drive, so you get the full feel of all the features. Can't make it down to the dealership right now? Be sure to check out our full Gladiator inventory here on our website.

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