When it comes to off-road vehicles, Jeep often takes the cake, and the Gladiator is no different. We’ll be putting the Jeep Gladiator head-to-head with the Toyota Tacoma to see which off-road capable truck is right for you.
Key Takeaways
- The Tacoma has a much higher price for off-roading features, unlike the Gladiator.
- The Gladiator can tow much more, which is surprising being that it is an off-road monster.
- If you want the best off-road experience, the Jeep has always been the way to go.
- The Gladiator offers the perfect blend for off-road enthusiasts, and handymen alike.
Which model gives the best off-road feel: Gladiator
For most, when they hear the name “Jeep” they think of unrivaled off-road performance and the Gladiator is a credit to the brand. Not only does this truck come with off-road features that help keep you in control on the rugged road, one of them is standard 4WD. That’s not the only feature that helps you enjoy your time in the great outdoors. The removable top lets you feel the wind in your hair, helping keep the Gladiator feeling like a Jeep.
While the Tacoma does its best at off-road features, not all trims come with 4WD, some have RWD instead. Not only that, the Gladiator is the only truck that lets you ride with the top down, giving it a better, less enclosed, off-road feel.
Which model has a better towing capacity: Gladiator
It may come as a surprise to some that the Gladiator wins out in the towing category too. With Jeep’s rich history dating back to 1940, and the Silent Generation, they knew that if they made another truck, it needed to have that same unstoppable American spirit as the first Jeep ever made.
This truck is powered by a 3.6L V6 that can produce 285 horsepower, and 260 lb-ft of torque. This helps the truck have a max tow rating of 7,700-pounds when properly equipped. If you’re not wanting to haul a massive amount, you can still load the bed with 1,725-pounds.
The Tacoma comes powered with a 2.4L I4 engine. This comes in two versions, with the weaker one outputting 228 horsepower, and the stronger one outputting 278 horsepower. Both versions generate 317 lb-ft of torque. This engine gives the Tacoma a max towing capacity of 6,500-pounds. It also boasts a max payload capacity of 1,709-pounds. Which just falls short of the Gladiator’s capability.
Which model has better value: Gladiator
While it is true that the Tacoma does have a lower starting price. The trims you will find at that price aren’t capable off-roading vehicles, they were only meant for the roads. If you wanted an off-road Tacoma, then you’d need to fork out $42,900, with Car and Driver noting that “off-road gear is pricey”. This is without any optional upgrades to help you out, causing the price to go up even more.
The Gladiator on the other hand starts at $38,695. Much cheaper than the off-road capable Tacoma. While this is a barebones trim, isn’t that the fun of having a Jeep? It will be perfectly ready for all of your off-road adventures. If you do end up wanting more features, the Gladiator does come with two more trim levels that are still under the Tacoma’s off-road barrier to entry.
One of these trim levels is the Sport S, which is Car and Driver’s recommended trim. This is because they “think the Sport S is the perfect canvas upon which to create your ideal Gladiator”.
If you’re planning on customizing your truck, you might as well go with the Sport S, as it has a lower starting price at $41,600. It also comes ready from the factory to do mostly everything you need it to do, and you’ll have the Jeep name attached to the vehicle.
Choosing between the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma for 2025.
While the Tacoma was a worthy opponent, the Gladiator came ready for battle. Standing victorious, and ready to take on whatever else you decide to throw at it. If you want to get behind the wheel for a test drive, or want to browse, we can help. Come on down to Coleman today! We proudly serve New Boston and the surrounding area!