Tacoma vs Gladiator: Which One Will Win!

Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator are two of the most popular midsize trucks on the market. They offer a great combination of features, performance, and comfort. So, which one is the best? In this article, we will compare the two vehicles and see which one comes out on top!

Are you debating purchasing a Jeep Gladiator or a Toyota Tacoma but are unsure which to choose?

It can be challenging to compare the two pickup trucks because they are different! The Gladiator is a Wrangler truck variant and fundamentally an adventure vehicle. It is an old-school Jeep with an open cargo bed, and nobody expects it to be simple to drive, quiet, or even easy to access.

On the other hand, the Toyota Tacoma is the midsize truck segment’s safest option. Its tow and payload ratings are not the highest, nor is it the newest design. Yet, Tacoma sales outpace any other midsize truck yearly, and Toyota vehicles have a legendary resale value.

This 2022 Tacoma vs. 2022 Gladiator comparison includes interior features and technologies, performance, efficiency, off-road capabilities, reliability, comfort, utility, towing, payload, safety, warranty coverage, and price.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma has been a popular choice for midsize trucks for many years. It offers a great combination of features, including a spacious interior, plenty of storage space, and a powerful engine. The Tacoma is also known for its excellent off-road capabilities.

Other things that set the Tacoma apart are its comfortable ride and its fuel efficiency. The Tacoma gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. You can add accessories to the truck such as a bed liner, a tonneau cover, and side steps. Other accessories include a tow package, a moonroof, and a JBL audio system. You can also get the Tacoma in a TRD Pro version, which is designed for off-road driving.

When you get into serious offroading you will need upgrades such as bigger tires and a suspension lift. The Tacoma can be equipped with all of these things and more. It’s a great choice for those who want a truck that can do it all.

The Tacoma also has a loyal following with manufacturers who only deal in accessories for this model. Some of the accessories include seat covers, floor mats, and a bed cover. You can find just about anything you need to trick out your Tacoma. They even make a TRD Pro version of the Tacoma which comes from the factory ready to go offroad. Special styling cues include black alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and skid plates.

Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is a newer midsize truck that has quickly become a favorite among truck shoppers. It offers many of the same features as the Tacoma, including a spacious interior, plenty of storage space, and a powerful engine. The Gladiator also has excellent off-road capabilities. The Gladiator offers a unique combination of style and capability. It has a stylish exterior that is sure to turn heads, and it is packed with features that make it an excellent choice for off-roading.

However, there are a few things that set the Gladiator apart from the Tacoma. First, the Gladiator has a longer wheelbase, which gives it a smoother ride. Second, the Gladiator gets better fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The Jeep Gladiator shares many parts with its brother the Jeep Wrangler which is great news. That means that there are a ton of aftermarket parts available for the Gladiator. You can find everything from suspension upgrades to off-road lights. Other accessories include a soft top, a hard top, and a bed liner. If you need a bed cover you can find those here. They even make a clear top for the Jeep.

When buying a Jeep you can also join the club where you get to wave at other owners. The Jeep wave is something that dates back to the 1940s when WWII soldiers would wave at each other as a sign of camaraderie. The first Jeep was made in 1941 and since then they have become an American icon. When you buy the gladiator you are buying a heritage and a way of life

Performance and Efficiency

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator enjoys a performance and efficiency advantage. The truck has two drivetrain options; the first is a 3.6-liter V-6 powerplant giving 285 hp and torque of 260 lb-ft. The second engine option is an EcoDiesel turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 drivetrain generating 260 hp and 440 lb-ft.

The Gladiator models with the standard manual transmission have an estimated fuel efficiency of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway driving. In contrast, the automatic variants have a higher consumption estimated at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The diesel truck has an estimated fuel efficiency of up to 22 mpg city and 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma also has two drivetrain options; a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine generating 159 hp and torque of 180 lb-ft, and a 3.5-liter V-6 powerplant producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5-liter V6 engine is more popular and comes with a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

The Tacoma with the manual transmission has an estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg combined driving. The TRD Pro is less aerodynamic than other Toyota Tacoma due to its raised suspension and all-terrain tires, so it may return a lower mileage. The four-wheel-drive Tacoma with automatic transmission returns 20 mpg across the board. The estimated fuel efficiency for 2WD Tacoma’ is 21 mpg in combined driving regardless of engine.

Off-road capabilities

The Tacoma and Gladiator are both excellent off-roaders. They are durable trucks that withstand the rigors of driving across diverse terrains and provide a traction-enhancing four-wheel-drive system. The Gladiator’s Rubicon trim provides the best off-road performance, while the Tacoma’s TRD Pro trim offers the highest level of off-road capability.

Interior Features And Technologies

The Gladiator interior features and technologies include:

• • LED interior lighting
  • Remote start system
  • Connected navigation
  • SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
  • Cloth or leather seat trim
  • Automatic climate control
  • Illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Digital driver information display
  • Eight- or Alpine® nine-speaker audio system
  • Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto™ / Bluetooth
  • 115V power outlet and 400W power inverter
  • Uconnect infotainment system with 7- or 8.4-inch display
  • Steering wheel-mounted vehicle, audio, and cruise controls

The Tacoma interior features and technologies include:

• • Power sliding rear window with privacy glass
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
  • Cloth or Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
  • Smart Key System with push-button start
  • 2-inch color Multi-Information Display
  • 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Two USB charging ports
  • Amazon Alexa capability

Both vehicles offer a moonroof/ sunroof.

Safety Features

Tacoma has the advantage on the safety front. It offers:

• • Front head airbag, knee airbag, and rear head airbag
  • Integrated backup camera with rear parking sonar
  • Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
  • Dynamic radar cruise control
  • Panoramic view monitor
  • Lane departure warning
  • Automatic high beams
  • Star safety system

The Gladiator safety features include:

• • Hill-start assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • ParkSense® rear park assist
  • Forward collision warning with active braking
  • Electronic stability control with traction control and roll mitigation

Comfort and Utility

The Gladiator focuses on fun; you can remove the doors and wipers and fold down the windshield. It also has drain plugs under floor mats to allow you to hose it out after your adventures. However, the door openings are narrow, and getting into the cabin is challenging. Plus, the vehicle is noisy.

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the more traditional models in the midsize truck category. It has a conventional cabin, and you will be impressed by its sizable control knobs, dials, and buttons.

The Tacoma Double Cab’s high-mounted rear bench gives children as short as elementary school age a nice view in the back. And the available power-sliding rear window makes it simple to let in the fresh air on warm days.

Yet, it can also be a task to get in and out. The driving position is uncomfortable if you are above 6 feet tall, even with 10-way power adjustments on most variants.

Towing and payload

The Gladiator enjoys an advantage in towing with a maximum towing capacity of 7,650 pounds. Also, the Gladiator can haul more in the pickup bed with a maximum payload capacity of 1,700 pounds. The Tacoma tows up to 6,800 pounds and carries a maximum payload of 1,685.

Reliability

The Jeep Gladiator is more reliable and has a J.D. Power reliability rating of 85/100, while the Tacoma earned 81/100.

Warranty coverage

The Gladiator has an advantage in warranty coverage. A basic warranty of 3-year or 36,000-mile and a powertrain warranty of 5-year or 100,000 miles. The Tacoma offers a 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Price

Tacoma enjoys a price advantage. Starting prices range from $26,700 for the SR Access Cab trim to $46,135 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro Double Cab trims.

The 2022 Gladiator starting prices range from $36,085 for the Sport trim to $48,025 for the Rubicon and Mojave trims.

Parting Shot

The 2022 Gladiator outperformed the 2022 Tacoma in performance/efficiency, reliability/quality, tow ratings/trailering equipment, and warranty coverage.

The 2022 Tacoma excels in the safety/driving assistance and price/value categories. That said, either of the trucks will probably work for you, depending on your unique needs.

Final Verdit

So, which one is the best? The Toyota Tacoma or the Jeep Gladiator? It’s hard to say. Both trucks offer a great combination of features, performance, and comfort. However, the Jeep Gladiator has a few advantages that make it a better choice for some people. If you value fuel economy, a smooth ride, and off-roading capabilities, then the Jeep Gladiator is the truck for you!

It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a truck with a comfortable ride and great fuel efficiency, then the Tacoma is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a truck with a longer wheelbase and even better off-road capabilities, then the Gladiator is the way to go. Whichever truck you choose, you can’t go wrong!

If you are looking for a truck that offers a great combination of features, comfort, and off-road capability, the Toyota Tacoma is the best choice. If you want a stylish truck with an excellent off-road capability, the Jeep Gladiator is the best choice. No matter which one you choose, you will be getting a great vehicle! Thanks for reading