2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Ford Ranger

In case you’re having a hard time deciding what type of truck you want to buy, let’s consider a comparison between the 2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2021 Ford Ranger. For years, the Ranger was a big seller as a midsize truck before Ford took a break on production. Now the Ranger is back, and it seems like a fitting opponent for the new Jeep Gladiator. Both vehicles are midsize trucks with towing capability, off-road agility, and extreme durability.

For the Jeep, the base Sport trim is priced at a starting MSRP of $33,545, While the Ford Ranger XL begins at about $26,015. At first glance, the pricing may seem like the Ranger has the upper hand, but a deeper look reveals that Gladiator actually offers significantly better value for your money. Even the base trim Gladiator has a roomy four-door crew cab and is ready for off-roading with standard 4×4. In contrast, the base Ranger has a two-door cab and rear-wheel drive, and bringing it up to spec will put its price tag in the same ballpark as the Gladiator.

Further, the Gladiator is the only midsize truck – actually, the only truck of any kind – that can remove the top and doors and fold down the windshield to become an open-air vehicle. It even comes with a number of exterior options for the top, from a soft cover to a three-piece hardtop, to suit whatever driving conditions a buyer needs. With a longer wheelbase than the Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator will have more room in the rear seats for passengers, and it can seat five. The interior is easily recognizable as a Jeep with its flat dash, round vents, and washable floors that come complete with a drain for easy cleaning.

The exterior appearance is also easily branded as a Jeep, even with the five-foot box that has a three-position tailgate. As with all Jeeps, the doors can be removed for even more open-air exposure, and the Gladiator can be outfitted with a bed liner, a tonneau cover, side steps, splash guards, and any number of appearance options. In comparison, the Ford Ranger can come as a SuperCab, which seats four, or SuperCrew, which seats five. The SuperCab option does not offer very comfortable accommodations for the rear seat passengers. Bed sizes can be either five or six feet.

For the Ranger’s interior, the general appearance is what you expect in a truck, though it’s not remarkable. The dash, vents, and center stack are laid out well but are constructed out of fairly basic plastics that give the Ranger something of a cheap feel. And you certainly can’t take off the top or doors for a little off-roading fun. Even when outfitted for off-roading, the Ford Ranger is a nice truck, but it isn’t a Jeep.

Performance and Capabilities

The Jeep Gladiator comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired to either a six-speed manual transmission (another feature the Ranger lacks) or an eight-speed automatic and comes standard with four-wheel drive. It can tow up to 7,650 lbs with the base engine, which is best in class for any 4×4 midsize truck. But you can also upgrade to the available 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. That option makes an impressive 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, an element of low-gear trail riding that every off-road enthusiast wants.

In contrast, the Ranger only comes with one engine, which is a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four that makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired to a 10-speed transmission and comes standard with rear-wheel drive, with 4×4 being an additional option. It does offer an impressive towing capacity of 7,500 lbs, but for off-roading, the torque is far more important for managing slow speeds on inclines or descents.

Both vehicles offer selectable features made for trail riding or to suit the terrain. The Ranger XLT offers an electronic locking rear differential, a terrain management system, and Trail Control for managing hill descent. However, even its new Tremor package is a pale imitation of what you get with the Gladiator Rubicon. That high-performance trim comes with locking front and rear differentials, an electronic sway bar disconnect, and an ultra low-range Rock-Trac 4×4 transfer case.

The Gladiator and the Ranger each come with 17-inch wheels that can be upgraded to 18-inch, and both can be fitted with all-terrain tires. Skid plates can be added to the Gladiator, and the Ranger, too. Which one is better for off-roading? While the Ranger has an impressive off-road package, the Gladiator is made more like a Jeep with a truck bed tacked on the back end. With the Dana axles, high ground clearance, and excellent approach and descent angles, the Gladiator is going to be the better off-road titan, hands down.

Tech Features

Starting with infotainment, the Gladiator offers the Uconnect 4 system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, voice commands, SiriusXM satellite radio, and built-in navigation. It is even available with a large 8.4-inch touchscreen display. Ford’s Ranger comes with its SYNC 3 infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice commands, a hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio, but it is only offered with an eight-inch touchscreen.

Other tech features include one thing the Gladiator has that the Ranger hasn’t got: a large wireless Bluetooth speaker. This available speaker charges in a dock located behind the back seat, can be linked with speakers from other Gladiators, and can charge USB devices. An Alpine audio system is also available, along with a slew of SiriusXM services like Traffic Link, Traffic Plus, and Guardian Connected. For trailering, the Gladiator comes standard with trailer sway control and has the option of adding a trailer hitch zoom, which allows the driver to use the rearview camera to zoom on the hitch for an easier connection. Remote keyless entry and a universal garage door opener are standard.

For the Ranger, FordPass Connect will allow remote features to be accessed via an app on compatible smartphones, such as locking or unlocking, remote starting, or locating the vehicle. The option to add SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic is available, but an upgraded audio system is only available on the top LARIAT trim. The Ranger will come with trailer sway control as standard and does have a gauge for pitch and roll if you purchase the off-road package. While the Ranger has some exciting equipment, the Gladiator can be outfitted to be out in the wilderness with extra power for connectivity and can be reconfigured with any number of options to make your Gladiator fit the exact needs for how you plan to use it.

Come to Faricy Chrysler Jeep and Pick Out Your Gladiator!

Ready to choose your new Gladiator? Remember that for 2021, Jeep is celebrating its 80th year, and every model in the Jeep lineup has an 80th-anniversary edition with specialized badging and features. Purchasing an 80th-anniversary Gladiator will mean you get a limited edition that may one day be a collector’s item, so don’t wait to get your model! In fact, we hope you’ll come to Faricy Chrysler Jeep to browse and test drive any of our Jeep Gladiators to see which one is right for you. We have our famous test track where you can take our Gladiators out for an off-road experience right at our dealership. Schedule your test drive, and come find out how much fun owning a Gladiator will be.

Faricy Chrysler Jeep has been in business since 1942, when our grandfather founded the dealership. It has been in the family ever since, and we are big believers in making buying a car fun again, especially Jeeps! Come to our dealership to find out why so many of our customers have driven away so happy after buying with us. People come from hundreds of miles away to shop at Faricy Chrysler Jeep because we believe in being honest, fair, and treating customers like family. Visit our dealership in Colorado Springs and experience what sets us apart for yourself. We have a team of people who love cars and love helping people find the right vehicle.