2022 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2022 Ford Maverick presented a conventional pickup appearance, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, with its substantial wheel arches and taillights. However, its front end diverged from this pattern, featuring large headlights and a grille crossbar that didn't make a strong styling statement. Despite being smaller than the Ford Ranger, the Maverick maintained a robust presence with its 5,073 mm length and 1,879 mm height. It utilized a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, differing from the traditional body-on-frame construction of larger Ford trucks. The Maverick's interior was a standout feature, with a design that made economical materials appear stylish. The use of multicoloured plastic and exposed fasteners added character, while the base XL trim offered seats with a unique weave pattern. Ford's design team succeeded in creating an entry-level vehicle that didn't sacrifice style, making the Maverick's interior a highlight.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator retained its rugged, off-road-ready aesthetic with minimal changes from previous models. The introduction of a new High Velocity Yellow paint colour and added standard equipment for the Willys model were among the few updates. The Gladiator Mojave, designed for high-speed desert driving, featured Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, a 2.5-cm front suspension lift, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Inside, the Gladiator mirrored the Wrangler's utilitarian design, with easy-to-clean plastic and rubber materials. The Mojave model added orange detailing and fabric seats with patterned inserts, enhancing the cabin's quality. Despite its basic interior, the Gladiator offered a sense of rugged luxury compared to older Jeep models. The Gladiator's design emphasized functionality over aesthetics, appealing to those seeking a vehicle with off-road prowess and a distinctive look.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, producing 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. An optional 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged engine delivered 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with front-wheel drive, while the EcoBoost variant offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package added features like different suspension tuning and hill-descent control, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On pavement, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, akin to a small car or crossover. The hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and refinement, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capability and spirited acceleration.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator came with two engine options: a standard 3.6-litre V6 producing 285 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, prioritized fuel economy over towing capacity. The Gladiator featured Command-Trac part-time 4WD, with options for Selec-Trac full-time 4WD and Rock-Trac 4WD on Rubicon models. The Mojave model, equipped with the gas V6 and Command-Trac, excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Fox shocks and suspension modifications. However, the Gladiator's interior was noisy, with engine and wind noise prevalent at higher speeds. The Mojave's suspension provided a comfortable ride in urban settings, but the truck's steering precision was lacking on highways and narrow roads. Despite its faults, the Gladiator's unique driving dynamics appealed to those seeking a rugged, off-road-capable vehicle.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was available exclusively in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offering more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its interior storage was impressive, with numerous cubbies and storage spaces, including the innovative Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. The Maverick's 1,382 mm bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, provided 680 kg of payload capacity and featured tiedowns that doubled as bottle openers. The FlexBed system allowed for creative use of the bed space, with options for dividers and a multi-position tailgate. The Maverick's towing capacity reached 1,814 kg with the 4K Tow Package, offering practical utility for its size.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator required some practice to enter and exit, especially through the narrow rear doors. The optional side steps, while preserving ground clearance, were more of a hindrance than a help. Inside, the manually adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, though it required frequent readjustment. The rear seats offered good legroom and air conditioning vents, but the plastic front seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. Storage options included netting on door panels, cupholders, and a deep but narrow centre armrest bin. The Gladiator's 1,531-mm cargo box, though lacking depth, featured enhancements like a spray-in bedliner and a Trail Rail Management System. With a best-in-class payload capacity of 775 kg, the Gladiator offered practical utility for outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system, providing standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, though not wirelessly. An 8-inch touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, offering basic but functional infotainment. The system included a large slot for phones and available wireless charging, ensuring convenience for everyday use. The hybrid model's brake-coaching feature aimed to optimize energy recovery, though its practical impact was debatable.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator, despite its rugged appearance, offered a range of tech features. The standard 7-inch Uconnect 4 system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen offering navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Off-Road Pages program provided data for adventurous driving, while the TrailCam forward-facing camera assisted on challenging trails. The test vehicle included a passive keyless entry system and dual-zone automatic climate control with an air filter. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, often struggling with commands.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams as standard. Optional extras under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane centring. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator offered minimal standard safety features, with optional packages enhancing its safety profile. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The Gladiator's NHTSA ratings included a four-star frontal-impact protection score and a three-star rollover resistance rating. The test vehicle's adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring systems were effective, though lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance were not available.