How Does the 2019 Ranger Stand up to the 2020 Jeep Gladiator
Daily Slideshow: Both the new Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator are retro revivals. But how do they measure up on paper?
Battle of the Mid-Sizers
Fads come in cycles. Everything that was once cool is bound to be cool again, whether that be years or even decades later. This is true of fashion, hairstyles, and yes, even trucks. The latest of which is the mid-size pickup, a field that was down to only the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma just a few years ago.
Now, competition is heating up with both a new Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator on the way. Thus, it's worth taking an extended look at each to determine which comes out on top...well at least on paper!
Size Matters
For now, at least, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator only comes as a four-door, four-wheel drive model. Thus, we'll compare it with the Ranger SuperCrew 4x4. In terms of size, the Jeep pickup is 218 inches in length, 73.8 inches wide, with a 62.9-inch track width or 64.4 inches for Rubicon and Sport Max Tow models. Soft tops measure 75 inches in height, Rubicons 76.1. Add on a hard top, and those numbers decrease to 73.1 and 74.1 inches, respectively.
Short Stuff
The Ranger, on the other hand, is quite a bit shorter overall at 210.8 inches. The same goes for wheelbase, which measures in at 126.8 inches. The Ranger is much wider, however, at 85.8 inches, though that measurement goes from mirror to mirror, while the Gladiator does not include the mirrors. The Ranger also sports a narrower track (61.4 inches) and is shorter height-wise (71.5 inches) than the Jeep.
Hitting the Trails
As everyone knows, the Jeep Gladiator can't just be an average mid-size truck. It also has to pack Jeep's legendary off-road capability. So things like approach, departure, and breakover angles really matter. Sport and Overland models tout impressive figures of 40.8/18.4/25 degrees approach/breakover/departure. The Rubicon comes in at an even more impressive 43.4/20.3/26 degrees.
Ground clearance is also good at 10 inches for Sport models and 11.1 for the Rubicon. Front and rear overhangs come in at 29.7 inches in front and 51 inches in the rear for all models.
Shorter is Better
Though it is available with some impressive off-road happy options, the Ranger isn't solely considered an off-road vehicle. But it still packs impressive numbers in that department. Approach, breakover, and departure angles come in at 28.7, 21.5, and 25.4 degrees. Ground clearance is 8.9 inches, front and rear overhangs at 35.8 and 48.2 inches. In this case, a shorter wheelbase plays in the Ranger's favor out on the trails.
Towing and Payload
Towing and payload capacity for the Gladiator really varies depending on how you spec your truck. Sport models with the 6-speed manual and 3.73 rear gears will tow 4,000 pounds. Opting for the 8-speed automatic increases that number to 4,500. Add 4.10 gears to your auto and it jumps to 6,000 pounds.
Going for the Max Tow Package tops out at 7,650 pounds. Payload capacity ranges from 1,100 pounds for Sport automatics, 1,600 for the manual, and 1,535 for the Max Tow.
The Gladiator Overland can haul 1,140 pounds with a manual or 1,120 with the automatic. Rubicons can carry 1,200 pounds and 1,160 pounds, respectively.
Singular Focus
As of now, the Ranger is only available with the 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder powerplant, 10-speed automatic, and 3.73 rear gears. Also right now, we only have towing and payload figures for the SuperCrew 4x4. Those come in at 1,560 and 7,500 pounds, respectively. And you can bet that there'll be options available to beef those numbers up considerably.
Open Air
Both the Ranger and Gladiator will be sold with loads of in-house and aftermarket parts and accessories options as well, of course. But for now, at least, the Gladiator is the only one of the two that comes with removable doors and roof.
Battle Royale
So despite their many differences, both the Ranger and Gladiator actually share some pretty close similarities on paper. Thus, we'll have to wait until we get to drive both of them to declare a true winner in this heated mid-size truck showdown!
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