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2020 Jeep Gladiator vs. 2019 Toyota Tacoma: Which Is Best?
2020 Jeep Gladiator 2019 Toyota Tacoma HERO ・ Photo by Toyota / Jeep
The mid-size pickup truck market has some new contenders this year. Fresh trucks like the 2019 Ford Ranger and the 2020 Jeep Gladiator are now available for purchase. Each of these trucks brings something new to the segment, but they also have to fight the established trucks for customer approval. That’s a tall order, because brand loyalty among truck buyers is legendary.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma is the undisputed sales leader for the mid-size truck segment. To challenge Toyota’s dominance, Jeep has just released the 2020 Gladiator as an entirely new kind of truck. While most trucks keep to the same traditional formula, the Gladiator breaks all the rules. Which is best — the Jeep Gladiator or Toyota Tacoma?
That One Special Feature
Every truck has something special to offer. In the case of the Toyota Tacoma, it’s history and reliability. Toyota has been selling small trucks in America since 1968. Over the course of the last 51 years, Toyota trucks have earned a reputation for being rock-solid reliable and long-lasting. Americans have purchased about 3.75 million Tacomas since Toyota introduced the name 1995.
The Jeep Gladiator is so new that only a handful of vehicles are already in customers' hands. But it has its own special quality: The Gladiator is the only pickup truck on the market that is also a convertible. Every Gladiator comes with four-wheel drive and carries a four-door crew cab with a 5-foot bed. Finally, the Gladiator allows owners to pop the doors off and fold the windshield down onto the hood. Don’t try that with any other truck.
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Photo by Toyota
Available Trim Packages
The 2019 Tacoma is available in six different trims. From the most basic SR to the luxurious Limited trim to the Toyota Racing Development team's TRD Pro model, there’s a Tacoma to fit every purpose. Basic work trims like the SR and SR5 include standard features like a backup camera, an Entune infotainment system, fog lights, and keyless entry. The TRD trims feature a sporty off-road equipment set, while the Limited is a more urbane and comfortable proposition.
The Gladiator is available in four trims: the basic Sport and Sport S levels, the Overland, and the Rubicon. Most of the differences cover interior trim and equipment until you get to the Rubicon trim, which adds a much more robust 4X4 system designed to conquer even the roughest terrain. However, the Sport S and Overland trims also have an upgraded suspension package compared to the Sport trim. We're awarding this round to the Tacoma for its wide range of trims that allow you to really zero in on the kind of truck you want.
Photo by Toyota
Exterior Design
No one will ever say that these two trucks look alike. Chances are that every buyer will have a clear favorite. The Tacoma looks like a traditional pickup truck, but with an aggressive design inspired by off-road racing designs. A functional hood scoop and a strong trapezoid-shaped front grille complete the pugnacious look of the Tacoma.
The Gladiator looks like a classic Jeep. The flattened fenders, seven-slot grille, and boxy shape haven’t changed that much since the original Jeeps were made in 1941. Gladiator buyers can choose between fiberglass hardtop panels or a sturdy zipperless canvas top. Either one installs in seconds and you can buy both tops if you want. The unique ability to take the top off wins this round for the Gladiator.
Photo by Jeep
Interior Space and Design
The Jeep experience has been maintained in the Gladiator. You’ll find the power window switches on the dashboard, not on the doors. There’s plenty of room in the cabin because all Gladiators use a four-door crew cab design. The seats are comfortable and supportive. Don’t think for a second that the Gladiator is primitive! Every comfort and convenience is there, from air conditioning to zone climate control. Overland and Rubicon trims offer heated leather seats that come on automatically when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.
The Tacoma is available with your choice of an extended cab and a full four-door crew cab. Inside, you’ll find a pretty typical truck interior treatment. Leather is available on the top TRD Pro and Limited trims. Air conditioning is standard, with zone control on higher trims. But for fun and functionality, the Gladiator is the winner.
Photo by Jeep
Dashboard Tech
Toyota equips the Tacoma with the Entune audio system, which comes with a 6.1-inch touchscreen. Navigation and a JBL premium audio system are available in higher trims. The Entune system supports a number of apps, and Qi wireless phone charging is available. The Tacoma touchscreen also displays the backup camera image.
The Gladiator’s Uconnect system supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay, so all smartphone users have access to on-screen navigation and connectivity features. The Uconnect system uses a 5-inch display on Sport trims, a 7-inch display on the Overland, and a large 8.4-inch display on the Rubicon, which also includes onboard navigation. Overall, Uconnect is among the best infotainment systems on the market, giving Jeep the win.
Photo by Jeep
Engine and Drivetrain
The 2020 Gladiator uses Jeep's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, but an eight-speed automatic is available. The Gladiator includes the best towing capacity of any mid-size crew cab 4X4 trucks — 7,650 pounds — and best-in-class payload capacity of 1,600 pounds. Fuel economy is estimated at 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
The Tacoma comes with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6. The V6 offers 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual. Toyota also offers a six-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is also standard, with an available 4WD option. Payload is rated up to 1,620 pounds with the extended cab 4X2, and towing is rated up to 6,800 pounds. When equipped with the four-cylinder, the Tacoma returns 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. With the V6, the Tacoma is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. But the Jeep's more powerful engine is standard, which is an important advantage.
Jeep Gladiator
Photo by Jeep
On the Road
The Tacoma actually feels more primitive and truck-like than the Gladiator. The high hood and fenders limit forward visibility for tight maneuvers like parking lot navigation. The Toyota suspension is also less compliant than the Jeep's. Notably, the Gladiator comes with a new five-link rear suspension design that has greatly improved its on-road manners compared to prior Jeep models.
Most surprising is how quiet the Gladiator is on rough pavement. And the Gladiator comes with four-wheel disc brakes, while the Tacoma still has rear drums. We're giving the driving experience round to the Gladiator as the more sophisticated and comfortable truck.
Jeep Gladiator
Photo by Jeep
Safety and Warranty
Tacoma comes with Toyota Safety Sense-P as standard equipment. This package includes advanced safety features like automatic braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Tacoma comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with powertrain coverage for five years or 60,000 miles.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator has those same warranty periods, along with 60 months of free roadside assistance. However, its advanced safety and driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control are mostly extra-cost options. Toyota is leading the entire industry with standard advanced safety and assistance features, and that fact wins this round.
Toyota Tacoma
Photo by Toyota
Pricing
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma starts at $25,850 for a base trim truck with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. That includes the extended cab and a 6-foot bed, and rear-wheel drive. At the other end of the spectrum, the TRD Pro model with a crew cab, 5-foot bed, 4WD, and the 3.5-liter V6 engine with automatic transmission will cost $46,760.
The Gladiator starts higher at $33,545, but you’re already getting 4WD, the V6, and the crew cab in the base trim. A comparably equipped base-trim Tacoma costs $32,345. If you go all-in and get the Gladiator Rubicon, you’ll get front and rear locking differentials, crawl control, all the interior goodies, off-road performance suspension, and both forward and rearward bumper cameras. The Gladiator Rubicon undercuts the TRD Pro at $43,545. We like having choices, so the Tacoma wins this round for its available low-cost model.
Toyota Tacoma
Photo by Toyota
The Bottom Line
As good as the Tacoma is, we’re in love with the Gladiator because it offers more versatility and comfort. If you live where summer means top-down fun, the Gladiator’s removable roof and sides can’t be matched by any other brand. For practical security, there’s an optional locking storage box hidden under the rear seat, and Gladiator even has an available Bluetooth remote speaker to make your campsite more fun.
The bottom line on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is that it does everything a truck should do, and everything a Jeep should do, all in one crazy fun package.
Jeep Gladiator
Photo by Jeep