The 2021 Gladiator comes in nine trim options and each trim is specifically designed to cater to a different set of buyers. The trims are Sport, Sport S, Willys, Overland, 80th Anniversary Edition, Freedom, Mojave, Rubicon, and High Altitude in the ascending order of their price and features 

 Which Trim should you buy?

We believe that the Overland trim is well-equipped with the most necessary features and is also priced better. It comes with an optimum balance of comfort features like dual-zone climate control A/C, a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, Uconnect 4 with 7-inch full-color touchscreen, etc, and off-road-worthy features like the bigger 18-inch wheels with Dueler A/S tires and Skid plates for the fuel tank and transfer case. It also gets a diesel engine option, which would be more suitable for off-roading.

The 2021 Gladiator is powered by a 3.6 L Pentastar V 6 engine producing 285 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. It can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission. It also gets an optional 3.0 L V6 diesel engine producing 260 HP and a whopping 442 lb-ft of torque. However, the diesel engine can be equipped only on Sport, Overland, and Rubicon, High Altitude models. The diesel engine would be more suitable for hard-core off-roading with its 442 lb-ft of torque.

The 3.6 L Pentastar engine from the FCA is known for its good performance and reliability. However, with the Gladiator the performance is a bit sluggish and less than urgent. As a result, the 0-60 mph sprint is slower than the rivals. The 2021 Frontier comes with a bigger 3.8 L engine and produces more power than the rivals and thus has a good 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times. The Ford Ranger gets the benefit of lower weight from its smaller turbocharged engine and hence blows away the competition.

How well does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator handle?

The 2021 Gladiator comes with the same technical specifications as the 2020 model so, don’t expect any changes to the handling. The main purpose of the Jeep Gladiator is to offer a solid off-roading pedigree that no other competition can offer. It’s a truck and performs like one. The handling isn’t great and high-speed cornering can be scary. The standard 4x4 configuration offers adequate traction to conquer any terrain you throw at it.

The steering in the Gladiator lacks precision and engagement in comparison to its rivals, which offer a more car-like feel. Even the Wrangler offers a better steering feel than the Gladiator. While the ride quality is not tuned for better comfort and maybe worrisome on hardcore off-roading, Jeep has tried to offer a good combination of a practical Crew Cab truck and a true off-road vehicle which the rivals can’t match. Its rigid structure, higher ground clearance, and standard 4x4

2021 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab Braking Performance

The 2021 Gladiator is the heaviest of the lot and to stop all that momentum when in motion, it requires larger brake rotors, and fortunately, they are adequate in nature. Overall, braking becomes more important when you are towing a trailer. The Gladiator also offers braking features like automatic emergency braking which plays a crucial role. 

The stopping distances are very similar to each other and we expect nearby results for the Nissan Frontier. It comes with smaller rotors and is heavy at 4,320 lbs so, the stopping distance might increase to some extent. The Jeep gets larger rotors at both ends but owing to more curb weight its stopping distance is more as compared to rivals.

The fuel efficiency of the Jeep Gladiator is less in comparison to its rivals. The 3.6 L V 6 engine is efficient in nature on most other FCA vehicles. We expected a better fuel economy, but owing to higher curb weight and standard 4x4 configuration the fuel economy is lower. With a combined fuel efficiency of 19 MPG, it is not exactly poor but can’t match the competition. It offers a combined range of 418 miles which is very respectable considering its efficiency

The 2021 Gladiator offers a decent range owing to the larger capacity of the fuel tank. The Honda and Ford trucks offer better efficiency but have smaller fuel tanks and hence lose out to Jeep in munching more miles on a full tank. However, they are quite similar. Nissan Frontier offers the lowest range due to lesser efficiency and smaller fuel tank.

The 2021 Gladiator’s interior is essentially a straight port from its near sibling, the Wrangler. The only difference here is that the Gladiator features enhanced material quality, a more rugged interior philosophy, and a lot of chunky controls. All of this results in an intuitive and sensible interior layout that is very driver-friendly. Speaking of the front seats, they are very supportive and comfortable and are at an elevated position so the driver can get a better view of the road. 

The interior features will depend on the trim you opt for or the optional packages that you avail. Some standard features like waterproof push-button start, cloth upholstery, steering wheel-mounted controls, A/C, 5-foot steel box, etc definitely add value to the base trims. The upper trims get features like an automatic climate control system, Nappa leather seat upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Monaco-wrapped mid-bolster, Remote Proximity

Keyless Entry, premium music system, etc. 

The 2021 Gladiator offers maximum headroom and legroom across both rows, thanks to its boxy profile and more height. The cargo volume is not the maximum but is sufficient for most people. The Honda Ridgeline offers maximum cargo capacity and its interior dimensions are better than Ford and Nissan trucks. Some of the standout interior features of the Gladiator are:

• Nappa leather-trimmed seats
• Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Push-button start
• Remote Proximity Keyless Entry

 What’s there to keep you entertained?

The Jeep Gladiator offers decent infotainment features across all trims. However, the lower trims come with an older UConnect 3, 5-inch touch]screen display with AM/FM Radio, integrated voice command, and hands-free calling via Bluetooth connectivity. The 8-speaker sound system with an overhead soundbar is standard. So, you will have to upgrade to a technology package to get the latest connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a better stereo system

The higher trims come with Uconnect 4C NAV with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and GPS Navigation. They also get a better-sounding 9-speaker Alpine Premium Audio System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Siri Eyes Free, etc. So it all depends upon your preferences inside the cabin and Jeep offers many options to spec-up your Gladiator. Some of the standout infotainment features of the Gladiator are:

• Uconnect 4C NAV with 8.4-inch touchscreen 
• GPS Navigation
• 9-speaker Alpine Premium Audio System 
• SiriusXM Radio
• Android Auto 
• Apple CarPlay

The Gladiator is simply a stretched-out Wrangler that has an added 19 inches of wheelbase compared to its sibling and has a cargo bed nested on its back. This has an unfortunate effect on the Gladiator’s proportions, with its profile not particularly attractive compared to conventional pickup trucks. The Gladiator shares the same styling aspects as the Wrangler, like the bulbous headlights and the beefy fenders and tires. 

The signature 7-slot grille and round headlamps with DRLs are standard across all the trims. Overall, all the trims look similar with minor aesthetic and technical changes. The boxy profile of the Wrangler is very prominent in its styling. Actually, what makes this truck different from other trucks is its removable doors and roof along with a complete fold-down windshield. Such a configuration can offer you flexibility and experience like no other truck in this segment. The bed is available in only a single 5 feet configuration which can feel inadequate in comparison to its rivals.

The higher wheelbase and more length help in increasing the legroom across the second row and passengers can enjoy a more comfortable ride. The higher weight is a result of its rugged construction and all-time 4x4 configuration. Also, the ground clearance is the highest, which shows its higher off-road compatibility. The rivals simply can’t match the off-road pedigree and interior space of the Gladiator. Some of the standout exterior features of the Gladiator are:

• Body-color 7-slot grille
• Removable doors and roof
• Numerous skid plates
• Rock and side rails
• Body-color wheel arches
• LED / Halogen Headlamps

The Jeep Gladiator Overland comes with an exceptionally solid safety cage that consists of high-strength steel paired with lightweight aluminum, making it lighter in weight while still providing a very strong chassis. NHTSA has rated the Gladiator for a few crash tests only, and it managed to score 4-star in frontal crash tests and 3-star in Rollover Testing. Jeep has reserved most of its active safety tech for the top-draw Sport S, Overland, Rubicon, and High Altitude trims. Even to access these safety features, the driver has to unlock them through 2 prerequisite packages. Some of the standout safety features of the Gladiator are:

• Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera
• Trailer Sway Control 
• Enhanced Accident Response System 
• Hill Start Assist
• Sentry Key with Engine Immobilizer 
• Auto High-Beam Headlamp Control (Optional)
• Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus (Optional)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (Optional)
• Blind Spot Monitoring (Safety Group)
• Rear Cross-Path Detection (Safety Group)

2021 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab V/S 2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab

The Honda Ridgeline offers better cruising speeds, fuel efficiency, quieter ride, and better creature comforts compared to the Gladiator. It is also more expensive than the Gladiator. But it can’t match the off-road might of the Gladiator. The Gladiator does not focus much on styling as it is more concerned about practicality and offers more fun on those off-road getaways.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab Vs 2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab

The Ford Ranger is cheaper than the Gladiator. It also offers better fuel efficiency, better handling, quieter ride, etc. The Gladiator answers it with a better off-road pedigree, a more powerful engine, and unbeatable ruggedness. The Ford Ranger is more of a family truck for hauling passengers with their cargo and the Gladiator is more of an off-road-ready tool. However, it can’t offer the same levels of comfort as the Ranger. 

2021 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab V/S 2021 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab

The Nissan Frontier offers more power output than the Gladiator and is also cheaper than it. It offers higher highway cruising speeds, better styling, and similar fuel efficiency with a bigger engine. The Gladiator fights back with higher off-road compatibility, robust construction, and standard 4x4 configuration.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab is the perfect partner for you to traverse unexplored terrains. This pickup has all the classical qualities of a true Jeep with a host of standard features to add to the equation. We have no doubt about the off-roading capability of the Gladiator pickup, although its cargo versatility is a bit subpar. Although it may lag behind its rivals in terms of performance, the Gladiator surely knows how to conquer the most challenging terrains with its long list of off-roading equipment.