2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2024 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a complete redesign. It offered a range of trims from the basic XL to the luxurious Limited, each with varying levels of comfort and technology. The XL trim, while a workhorse, still provided essential features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and an 8-inch touchscreen. As you moved up the trims, the F-250 introduced more luxury and tech, with the King Ranch offering a two-tone paint job, leather interiors, and a premium stereo system. The King Ranch trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling and high-end features, making it a legitimate luxury truck. The Limited trim topped the range with nearly every available package and option, including max-recline seats and a dual-panel sunroof.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator, available in trims like Sport, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon, offered a unique blend of Jeep's ruggedness with pickup utility. The Gladiator's design allowed for a removable roof and doors, enhancing its adventurous appeal. The Mojave X trim, tested with a new Anvil paint and upgraded wheels, showcased the Gladiator's off-road prowess with features like a performance hood and steel rock rails. The interior received updates with soft-touch surfaces and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite its rugged nature, the Gladiator's interior improvements made it more comfortable, though it retained some quirks from its Wrangler heritage, such as a center-mounted handbrake.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 6.8-liter gas V8 producing 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, a 7.3-liter V8 delivered 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option, a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, provided 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The high-output version of this engine pushed the limits with 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth power delivery, making the Super Duty lively despite its size. With a towing capacity of up to 22,000 pounds, the F-250 was a towing powerhouse, aided by features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator continued with its 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It offered a choice between a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with one of four 4WD systems. The Gladiator's towing capacity reached up to 7,700 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,725 pounds. The Mojave trim was designed for desert running, featuring a one-inch front suspension lift, FOX shocks, and an Off-Road+ driving mode. The Gladiator excelled off-road, handling rough terrain with ease, though it faced challenges on highways with wind noise and stability issues in crosswinds.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with bed lengths of 6.75 or 8 feet. The SuperCab's rear-hinged doors provided a wide opening, though they required the front doors to be open. The truck's size necessitated features like bed steps and grip handles for easier access. Inside, the F-250 offered ample storage with numerous cupholders, a massive center storage bin, and dual glove boxes. The Super Crew model's rear seats folded up, creating a large cargo area protected from the elements.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator shared design elements with the Wrangler but featured a unique frame and rear suspension. Its five-foot steel cargo bed included a dampened tailgate and integrated tie-downs, with optional upgrades like a spray-in bedliner. Inside, the Gladiator lacked practical storage, with small bins and nets for smaller items. The new power-adjustable front seats improved comfort, though rear passengers had to be cautious of protruding hooks on the front seatbacks. Climbing in and out of the Gladiator was challenging, and running boards were discouraged due to their impact on off-road capability.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with a larger 12-inch screen available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical controls and redundant dials for radio and climate settings. Multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging ensured connectivity on the go. The navigation system included Trailer Navigation, optimizing routes based on trailer dimensions.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator introduced a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering improved graphics, responsiveness, and features. The system supported Bluetooth pairing for two smartphones, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L. A TomTom navigation system with Jeep Adventure Guides was available, providing access to trail guides. The improved microphone enhanced voice recognition, though it struggled with complex commands.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting with the XLT trim, included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features. Depending on the trim, it offered automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The test model featured dual-tier power-adjustable trailer mirrors and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system. However, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the Super Duty.

The 2024 Jeep Gladiator's safety ratings were limited, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS criticized its headlights, seatbelt warnings, and pedestrian detection systems. However, the 2024 model introduced safety improvements, including forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control on the Sport S trim. The Mojave X and Rubicon X added blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors. Structural enhancements aimed to improve side-impact safety, and the roll cage now included side-curtain airbags.