Jeep Gladiator Vs. Toyota Tacoma, which is best?

Introduction

The Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma are two of the most sought-after mid-size pickups on the market. Expedition Vehicle Outfitters a leading off road shop in Michigan will discuss the differences and what makes either a viable off road and overland build. Both offer a lot of capability, but they each have different strengths that make them stand out. But which one is right for you? Let's take a look at some of their differences so you can decide for yourself which one is best:

Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size pickup truck. It's based on the same platform as the Jeep Wrangler JL, which means it comes with four doors and can sit up to five people comfortably.

It has either a 3.6-liter V6 engine or 3.0 V6 diesel option, and both have an automatic or manual transmission available depending on what you choose. The payload capacity is 1,200 pounds and it can tow up to 7,700 pounds if you get all of its optional equipment installed.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the best all-around trucks on the market. It’s better for driving around town and commuting to work, but if you want something with a little more power and better fuel economy, it's also great for off-road adventures.

The Tacoma has a refined interior with lots of technology features, including a touch screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility that lets you use your smartphone’s apps while you drive (like Waze or Spotify). The Jeep Gladiator doesn't come standard with this feature in any trim level. Also: The Tacoma has a higher resale value.

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Braking and Safety

To test the braking abilities of each vehicle, we performed a variety of tests. In our first test, we conducted a front-wheel brake test on both Jeeps and Toyotas. The results were very close with the Gladiator coming out slightly ahead. The Tacoma had better overall braking power but it wasn’t enough to overcome the advantage that Jeep had in stopping distance.

In our next round of tests, we wanted to compare how well each vehicle could handle emergency stops while traveling at higher speeds (55mph). The results were quite surprising as both Jeeps and Toyotas did extremely well across all categories! We expected both vehicles to have similar handling due to their similar weight distribution; however, this was not what happened during these tests.

Safety Features

Safety features are as important in a truck as they are in other vehicles. It's not just about getting from Point A to Point B safely, it's also about making sure you arrive at your destination safely. For example, some safety features can be very expensive and may not even be available on your current vehicle or model year of that vehicle.

So what makes one truck safer than another? Well, the answer is simple: visibility and maneuverability.

Visibility is all about seeing what’s coming up ahead when you're driving down the road—or off-road! You need good visibility so that you know what’s around you so that you can avoid dangerous situations before they happen. And maneuverability means being able to steer clear of any potential hazards as well as handle corners and curves with ease--whether it's paved or not paved roads!

Off-Roading Capabilities

• Ground clearance: Both trucks have a large amount of ground clearance, but the Jeep Gladiator has more.

• Approach angle and departure angle: The approach angle is the amount of degrees up or down you can hit a steep incline while still keeping your tires on the ground, while the departure angle is how much slant you can handle before lifting off in order to get going again. The Jeep Gladiator has a better approach and departure angle than the Toyota Tacoma when it comes to climbing hills and getting over obstacles in general.

• Breakover/clearance angle: This measures how far your truck’s front bumper can stick out over an obstacle without breaking anything or hitting anything sharp underneath. Both vehicles have good breakover angles that are suited for most types of off-roading adventures (though they will never be able to go through truly extreme terrain due to their size limitations), but yours will be somewhat better than theirs if you choose wisely!

The Toledo-built Jeep Gladiator is better than the Tacoma for Hardcore Off Roading

If you're looking to go off-roading, the Jeep Gladiator is your best bet. It's got a longer wheelbase, more ground clearance and higher tow rating than the Tacoma. The Gladiator has a payload capacity of 1,620 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,650 pounds. That's quite the difference compared to the Tacoma which can only tow 5,000 pounds and carry 1,560 pounds in payload (for comparison purposes).

The Toyota Tacoma is better for daily driving duties

The Tacoma is better for daily driving duties. It has a more refined ride, with a quieter cabin and better overall handling. You’ll also have more cargo space with the Tacoma, plus an engine that produces more power than its Jeep rival. The Tacoma also has an interior that feels like it was built to last, with materials that look nicer than those found in the Gladiator.

It’s not all great news for Toyota though – the Tacoma isn’t quite as fuel efficient as its Jeep rival, but it does come with a longer warranty (5 years/60k miles vs 4 years/50k miles).

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Conclusion

With its more aggressive styling, and ability to go deeper into the wilderness, the Jeep Gladiator is a great pick for hardcore off-roaders. For those who want something that’s a little more practical, the Toyota Tacoma is still an excellent choice. Either way, if you’re looking for a small truck that can go further than most people think possible—and look good while doing it—these two are tough competitors to beat!

Whichever platform you choose Expedition Vehicle Outfitters in Michigan has the know how and experience to turn the truck into an off road and overland dream rig. Call or Email us today! 989-593-2533