2021 Jeep Gladiator vs 2022 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator was a unique creation, derived from the Wrangler but with a stretched and reinforced frame to enhance its towing and hauling capabilities. It featured a compact 5-foot cargo bed, designed to maintain a favourable departure angle while offering the utility expected from a midsize pickup. Initially, its appearance seemed unconventional, with its tall, long, and narrow stance, especially when combined with the Wrangler-inspired bodywork. However, once accustomed to its design, drivers found the Gladiator to be a joy, particularly when exploring remote locations with the top down.

In 2021, Jeep introduced a new Willys grade, adding features like a blacked-out grille, limited-slip rear differential, rock rails, and 32-inch all-terrain tires to the Sport or Sport S trims. At the higher end, the High Altitude luxury model debuted, showcasing body-colour detailing, black 20-inch wheels, and premium Nappa leather. Pricing for the Gladiator Sport S started at $49,315, with our test model, equipped with Overland trim and a turbo-diesel engine, reaching a total of $77,475 (Canadian, estimated). The interior, with its heated front seats, leather upholstery, and advanced infotainment, was as refined as a Gladiator could get, yet it remained a rugged vehicle at heart, with durable materials and a cabin layout reminiscent of the Wrangler.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, in contrast, was built on a unibody platform, similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Passport, offering increased rigidity compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks. Its styling was conservative, with a distinctive snub nose hinting at its FWD origins, while the rear maintained a classic pickup look. The Ridgeline's front-end design evolved over the years, with a blockier grille introduced in 2021, aligning it more closely with other trucks.

Our Black Edition test vehicle featured a dark theme, with alloy wheels and exterior trim matching its Berlina Black paint. Inside, the Ridgeline's straightforward design was complemented by high-quality fit and finish. The Black Edition came well-equipped, boasting leather upholstery, heated seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, a power-sliding rear window, and a moonroof. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches, detracting slightly from the otherwise cohesive interior.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered a new 3.0-litre EcoDiesel turbo-diesel V6 engine, priced at an additional $9,190 in Canada, alongside the existing 3.6-litre Pentastar gasoline V6. The diesel engine produced 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and an impressive 442 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 to 2,800 rpm, providing substantial low-end power and improved fuel efficiency. During testing, it averaged 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a mountainous loop, slightly above the estimated 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving. The Gladiator Sport S, with the standard engine, could tow up to 3,469 kilograms and haul a payload of up to 771 kilograms.

The diesel powertrain, while not matching the towing capacity of the gasoline engine due to cooling restrictions, still managed to tow between 2,720 and 2,948 kilograms. Off-road, the diesel's torque shone, effortlessly tackling challenging trails with the Selec-Speed off-road cruise control system. On paved roads, the diesel Gladiator exhibited the same characteristics as the gasoline version, with slow steering, a stiff ride, and noticeable wind noise, yet these quirks added to its charm.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms and a payload capacity ranging from 674 to 690 kilograms, depending on the trim. While these figures were modest compared to other midsize pickups, the Ridgeline's naturally aspirated V6 provided ample power, though the transmission's slow response and sluggish start-stop system were drawbacks.

Once up to speed, the Ridgeline impressed with its handling and ride quality, thanks to its unibody platform. It felt more like a luxury car than a traditional truck, with a comfortable ride and quiet cabin. However, its design limited off-road capabilities, with a maximum ground clearance of 19.4 centimetres and no dedicated off-road version available.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator prioritized utility over comfort, with agreeable seats but small door openings, snug seating positions, and limited rear legroom. Side steps or rails, while preserving breakover angle, made entry and exit more challenging. In-cabin storage included netting on door panels, a small centre console bin, cupholders, a dash-top tray, and an undersized glove compartment. The Gladiator's 1,531 mm steel cargo box held 1,005 litres of cargo, with an adjustable tailgate accommodating sheets of plywood. Payload ratings varied from 487 to 696 kilograms, depending on the configuration.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline offered a four-door crew cab and a 162.5-centimetre bed, balancing passenger and cargo space. Its bed featured a 207-litre lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a slot for the spare tire, an in-bed audio system, and a 115-volt AC outlet. The Dual-Action Tailgate and wide bed allowed for carrying 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood. Inside, the Ridgeline provided additional storage under the rear seats, with rear USB ports on higher trims. The cabin layout was practical, with a pushbutton shifter, cupholders, a large centre console bin, and a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator featured the Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The High Country trim offered the Uconnect 4C system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and an Alpine premium sound system. While user-friendly, the system showed signs of aging with slow load times and specific voice recognition prompts. The forward-facing Trail Cam was a useful addition for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. SiriusXM was available on all but the base trim, with navigation on the Touring and Black Edition models. The interface was straightforward, with analog controls for essential functions. While not cutting-edge, the system was easy to use, and most rivals offered similar tech.

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator offered basic safety features, including a reversing camera, with optional ADAS like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA gave it a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, automatic high beams, and blind spot monitoring. However, it lacked a 360-degree camera system.