Test drove a 2021 Gladiator and ...

Yes a 475hp 6.4L Hemi V8 for the 2021 model year

Alot of Gladiator owners are swapping out the anemic V6 and installing 707hp supercharged Hellcat engines

 

Looking at fuelly.com (which it looks like your familiar with) the 3rd Gen Tacoma with the V6 averages 2 mpg better than the Gladiator. I have to say Ive never experienced what your average mpg is with my Tacoma unless Im pulling a small trailer. Mine is always above 20 and that is with 1 inch bigger than stock tires.

 

Aw man. You gave up the Boss. Thats the only version of the current Silverado I like the looks of. Ive been seeing quite a few people on the Trail Boss fb group have engine problems with lifter failures on those lately.

 

Consumer Reports is almost as reliable as the FCA vehicles they lie about

 

I find my Tacoma is rarely ever in 6th gear, whereas maybe say a more modern 8-speed would help? Good grief, I don't know how even a stock Tacoma would hit 23 mpg unless rolling down hill?

 

I considered a gladiator like many here. At first I was comparing a TRD sport and a Sport S. I wanted a manual and couldn’t find a manual jeep or gladiator to test. I did drive an 8 speed auto. I felt the interior on the TRD Sport was ahead of the jeep as far as quality. The whole fit and finish on the Toyota felt better.

As for the engine, the 3.5 felt peppier. Maybe because the Access cab V6 is light and has the 4.30 rear end. I also wanted the 6 foot bed so the Toyota was the right choice.


Buttttttttt once prices got out of hand I was seriously considering selling taco and grabbing a rubicon. I started to get more into off road and the solid axle + front and rear lockers was appealing. As well as the jeep things like roof off.

but I decided to keep my taco and have no plans to get a gladiator as of yet. Maybe if they ever release a 6 foot bed with a 5.7 or 6.4 I would consider

 

Thank you for your review of each vehicle, but you couldn't get me into a Jeep or 2021 Tacoma. I find my 2017 DCSB superior to both

 

I have a 2019 Wrangler. When I went to add a pickup truck, I looked at what was available and ended up going with a DCLB. Love them both. The biggest issue I had with the Tacoma was the driver's seat. The Wrangler's worked good for me on long trips. Long story short, I added Seat Jackers and now the Tacoma's driver's seat feels like my Wrangler's, which for me is good.

 

So I got a sr5 21 v6 4x4 .. in October of 2020 sold it February for a profit. Then I drove a Wrangler Rubicon gladiator Nissan titan Ram big horn and Laramie. I drove a f150 xlt and Lariat. I drove a Chevy Silverado 1500. GMC 1500 at4 . Drove the ranger and GMC Canyon. Drove a tundra . The top choice was the Rubicon Wrangler two door.. was ready to buy and then Started digging into the forums Jeep’s .. it seems All manufactures have issues with vehicles .. so then I drove a another Tacoma off road .. and I was like might not have all the bells and whistles compared to other vehicles.. might be a little under power if you are towing A lot .. which I don’t . But in my opinion it’s the best looking midsize truck Currently on the market and is the Most reliable so I bought another Tacoma .. hard to beat it for the money and value you get in a Tacoma. I love it .. drives a lot better then my sr and sr5 I had before .. they are some days I miss being in a full size truck not gonna lie .. but the Tacoma checks all the boxes for me .

 

I find it interesting that one could rate reliability for a model that's barely been out for 2 years...

 

My reaction to the Gladiator reminds me of that classic "bad lighting" chick from the Seinfeld "Festivus" episode. One minute I think they look pretty damn good and the next they look awkward AF!

 

We always laugh about what Toyota considers "normal." My brother in law has a 2018 wrangler with a hard top, and every time it rains he gets inches of water on his floor boards and in the jack compartment. After many many trips back and forth to the dealer, they dealer tells him it's normal, that's the price you pay for a removable roof. Look, that's why there's drain holes in the floorboards!

No thank you. If I wanted an aquarium I'd go to Petco and buy one.

 

That was a big drawback for me. Gotta have that 6ft bed.

 

she's a 2 face!

 

I've had FAR TO GOOD SERVICE from my '96 Tacoma (414,000 trouble-free miles) and 2018 TRD Sport (25,000 trouble-free miles) to even take a chance on a Jeep.
Especially considering the considerable reliability issues friends have had with their Jeeps.

 

They are delivering some today all over the country

 

Yea I thought so too. The check engine light came on at around 250 miles. The truck threw multiple codes for a misfire in cylinder 1. Ends up the head on that side of the engine had valve channels that were out of spec size wise and the exhaust valve was getting stuck open. Took the dealer forever to diagnose because it only happened when the engine went above 3500 rpm and the heat expanded the valve just enough to get stuck. Then the head was on backorder. Three week ordeal before I got it back. The only good thing was the dealer didn't blink at providing a rental until I got mine back. After that it was little annoyance after little annoyance that required warranty fixes at the dealer. I'd had enough, out it went.

 

Hard pass, I had a 04 Jeep with constant issues and electrical problems. Buddy has had 2 Rams 08 with non stop issues and breaking down and now a 19 and stuff is starting to fail.

 

What Jeep was your 04? Thanks

 

I too debated this dilemma. I test drove multiple Gladiators (some Sport S, Overlands, one with a factory Mopar lift.)

I'm 5'5", so I don't have the seat issue many are experiencing. For me came down to reliability. Toyota won that hands down. I didn't buy a truck for gas mileage tbh. I bought it to use as a truck.

Some pros the Gladiator had going for it have already been mentioned. Like, higher tow capacity, ability to put 35's factory, it's a Jeep. Which around my area there are a ton of Jeep specific shops.

I ultimately went with my TRD Sport, interior seemed more refined, handled well. I don't regret my decision one bit. After having quite a few friends with Rubicons and other jeeps, they always seem to have some issue that they are "sorting out". I have like 10-15 people at work that have Tacomas with ZERO issues. Ultimately swayed my decision.