2021 Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger

A big haul needs a big truck, and with several available pickups on the market, you have many things to consider. Which truck has the best engine options? The best towing and hauling capability? The best features? That's where we here at Three Rivers CDJR come in! Two of the best pickups out there are the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and the Ford Ranger. Both of these pickups would make a great addition to anyone's driveway, but which one has the advantage? For the answer, continue reading down below!

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2021 Jeep Gladiator Power & Handling

There are two fantastic engines available for the Jeep Gladiator, and both of them offer you an impressive amount of power. Standard on all trims is a 3.6-liter V6 that kicks out 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Drivers can pair this engine with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, which both give you an impressively smooth ride. In addition, the Gladiator has a new diesel engine this year, and it's a wonderful diesel-powered 3.0-liter V6 that kicks out 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque which pairs exclusively with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the Gladiator has some impressive towing and hauling capability as it pulls 7,560 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,700-pounds. Both numbers are amongst the class leaders.

2021 Ford Ranger Power & Handling

Only one engine is available for the Ford Ranger, but there is a solid amount of power. It's a stark turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that delivers 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque which pairs with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Power for the Ranger can either be sent to the front or all four wheels. Unfortunately, the Ranger does not have a diesel engine option, so your horsepower and torque numbers will be limited. If you're looking to tow something, the Ranger can haul up to 7,500 pounds, which is less than the Gladiator.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Features & Design

With four trim levels, the Gladiator is loaded to the brim with features! Things start with the Sport, which comes with 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. Then there 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. One of the best things about the Gladiator is its off-road capability, and you can find a ton of off-road features with the Rubicon as it comes with 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. Finally, the desert-rated Mojave rounds things out with a reinforced frame, FOX internal bypass shock absorbers, and Desert Rated badge.

2021 Ford Ranger Features & Design

One less trim is available for the Ranger, so there will be fewer available features. The base is the XL which comes with 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 which makes the XL a little better with options such as cruise control, power mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Ford's Sync 3 system. The XLT is the next available trim, and it adds alloy wheels, keyless entry, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A few optional packages for the XLT include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote ignition, power-folding mirrors, front parking sensors, navigation, and adaptive cruise control. The top-level Lariat ups things with LED headlights and leather upholstery.

Conclusion:

While there are merits to both of these pickups, we will give the victory to the Jeep Gladiator! The Gladiator has two impressive engines, and we are especially taken with the diesel engine, and we love the four trims levels of the Gladiator more than we like the Ranger's three. But don't just take our word for it; head down to Three Rivers CDJR and take a test drive to find out for yourself! We know you won't be disappointed in what the Gladiator offers and if you find a trim you like, be sure to visit our finance department where we will assist you in getting an excellent deal. If you can't make it down to the dealership right now, be sure to check our entire Gladiator inventory here on our website.