2023 Jeep Gladiator vs Chevrolet Colorado

Is the Gladiator still a special choice in a midsize truck class? The new Chevy Colorado is trying to challenge it with more off-roading models than ever before.

Also new this model year, the GMC Canyon shares many attributes with its Colorado sibling. However, there are a few changes such as the higher output engine and higher ground clearance that help the Canyon differentiate itself from the Colorado.

Then there are the other rivals: Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Honda Ridgeline. What do shoppers need to know? The details are here in this midsize truck comparison.

1. Open Air Possibilities

   There really is no truck like the Gladiator, not even the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon, an all new vehicle this model year. That’s because every Gladiator is built to go off road. This means short overhangs up front and out back. It means every inch has been altered as needed for trail riding. Canyons are aiming that direction, but are still not as universally off-road ready as Gladiators.

   Beyond that, these Jeep trucks have the sporty, rugged looks most often associated with the Wrangler. No other make comes close to this much personality. The squared off build gives it terrific headroom with or without the roof.

   Beyond that, the Gladiator is the only convertible among all trucks in any class. It lets you take off the soft top or hardtop for true open air driving. Like Wranglers, Gladiators have removable doors and a fold-down windshield. The Jeep midsize truck is the only one with a waterproof push button start and water drains for its washable floor.

   The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger, and other midsize trucks tend to offer a sunroof or moonroof. If you want anything bigger than that, you can find panoramic sunroofs on certain full size trucks.

2. Size and Spaciousness

   With the updates to the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon crew cab, these midsize trucks are now tied in passenger volume with the 2023 Jeep Gladiator. However, the Gladiator has the most generous second-row legroom of any midsize truck, including the Honda Ridgeline.

   

   Like the Ridgeline and Canyon, the Gladiator doesn’t bother with a smaller cabin. It sticks to a single choice that’s got a backseat big enough for adults. Bigger than the 4-door Wrangler, it certainly has the most generous wiggle room. In fact, Forbes suggests that Gladiators are a logical midsize truck for families.

   A smaller two-row cabin is available on the Tacoma, Frontier, Ranger and Colorado. Shoppers should expect very little legroom on the back row.

3. Performance

   The GMC Canyon and Nissan Frontier can promise the top horsepower. However, as you can see from this table, the Gladiator is quite competitive. 2023 Jeep Gladiator drivers will command more power and torque than the updated 2023 Chevrolet Colorado with its standard-output turbocharged 2.7-liter engine.

   Shoppers should know that the Gladiator’s V6 engine is the same high-strength unit that powers the Jeep Wrangler. Engineers have designed it to work well with four-wheel drive, always a standard on the Gladiator.

   

   GMC and Chevrolet have discontinued their diesel choices. However, the choice remains at Jeep. Diesel Gladiators produce a whopping 446 lb-ft of torque, and they still earn the best fuel economy in the midsize truck class.

   When looking at pricing, it’s important to know that the Toyota Tacoma starts off with a four-cylinder engine. This produces only 159 horsepower. Compared to the Gladiator, it’s definitely underpowered.

4. Off-roaders

   Due to the standard four wheel drive, it’s safe to say that the Gladiators are always more ready for the trail than Colorados. It comes with part-time Command-Trac 4WD or available full-time SelecTrac 4WD. Tires are always 32-inch tires or larger. Axles are always Dana 44-inch front and rear. This equipment ensures that any Gladiator can go wandering when the pavement ends.

   Of course, the Gladiator Rubicon is well-known for its super-tough rock rails, front and rear differentials, and its 4:1 crawl ratio. For desert runs, the Gladiator Mojave boasts special shock absorbers, wide track Dana axles and its own desert-specific rock rails.

   With standard rear-wheel drive, the Colorado isn’t always ready for the trail. Of course, Chevy certainly offers four-wheel drive. Plus it has developed more editions specifically for off-roading. The Z71 and Trail Boss have off-road tuned shocks. ZR2 models and the new ZR2 Desert Boss have multi-matic DSSV dampers.

   GMC Canyon off-roaders include the AT4 with an adjustable suspension and all terrain tires. The even more capable 4ATX has multimatic dampers.

   As for other competitors, you’ll find these rear-wheel drive trucks offer four-wheel drive as an extra component. Competitive off-roaders include the Frontier Pro 4X, Tacoma TRD Pro, Ranger FX4, and Ranger Tremor.

5. Ground Clearance

   Gladiators have the best ground clearance among midsize trucks. It stands at 10 inches. As rear-wheel drive trucks, other brands lag behind on this vital aspect of off-road readiness. The most off-ready Gladiators claim 11.4 or 11.7 inches, beating the top 2023 Canyon and Colorado off-roaders by as much as an inch.

   Toyota Tacomas have a standard suspension lift that allows for 9.4 inches of clearance. GMC Canyons have a similar lift, allowing for a standard 8.9 inches. Meanwhile the Colorado rear-wheel drive models have 7.9 inches of clearance.

   

   Even more off-road ready, the Rubicon is elevated to 11.1 inches, and the Mojave measures 11.6 inches of ground clearance.

   In comparison, the Chevy Colorado Z71, has 8.9 inches of ground clearance. The Trail Boss raises that to 9.5 inches, and the ZR2 stands at 10.7 inches.

6. Tow Ratings

   Colorados tow a standard 3,500 pounds. Gladiator’s gas-powered models tow 4,000, 4,500 or even 6,000 pounds, depending on the trim.

   With the heavy duty towing package, the Jeep Gladiator Sport or Sport S can tow up to 7,700 pounds. You’ll notice this puts the Gladiator on par with the Ranger’s available 7,500-pound towing rating. The GMC Canyon can offer 5,000 or 7,700 pound tow ratings.

   

   Chances are that Gladiator Sport towing is a less expensive option than the same or less capacity on other midsize trucks.

7. Other Midsize Trucks

   The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are a midsize truck category by themselves. These compact trucks have a smaller cabin and a smaller bed than the Gladiator and the other midsize trucks. Shoppers can expect bed sizes of 4.3 or 4.5 feet.

   Mavericks are the cheapest small trucks while a Santa Cruz could easily be the cost of a Gladiator. Output is 191 horsepower for both. Top horsepower is 281 for the Santa Cruz and 250 for the Maverick.

Conclusion

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator guarantees a sporty ride, off-roading capability, and all of the good things we expect from trucks today. Plus it’s the only open air truck on the market.

Schedule a test drive at your Earnhardt Jeep dealer.