When it comes down to it, what did the experts at Edmunds have to say about the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado? Plenty of positives mixed with a few negatives.

What the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado did well

Edmunds found the 2021 Jeep Gladiator well-versed in both truck behavior and Jeep behavior. It checks all of the boxes that Jeep fans want and happens to be a convertible pickup truck. Unless you make your own, there are no other convertible pickup trucks on the market. Edmunds also notes the Gladiator has a bigger backseat than most midsize pickup trucks.

The Gladiator scored a 7.9 out of 10 overall. The high spots were the tech, storage, and wildcard sections. The score of 9.0 in the wildcard section was mainly for the Jeep-truck point of view, which Edmunds says, “This one oozes outdoor fun and Jeep personality. Jeep really did it right.”

The experts at Edmunds found that the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado gasoline V6 and diesel engines tow more than similar trucks. It was easy enough to drive and offered a comfortable ride.

Edmunds rated the Colorado 7.6 out of 10 overall, with the highest scores in the drive, interior, and tech categories. The four-wheel-drive ZR1 option was mentioned a few times as a preferrable trim level. The Colorado offers a lot of tech options, and AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay are included.

Where the 2021 Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado could improve

The experts said the steering on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator needs some extra help. The ride quality can be a little “jiggly” sometimes, which sounds like an issue fixed with better suspension. It also notes poor fuel economy. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the V6 was 19 mpg.

The Gladiator is a nice truck but a bit expensive. The manual transmission is offered standard, and an upgraded automatic is going to cost $2,000. The warranty is relatively average, and Edmunds suggests the Overland trim is a good buy. The MSRP for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is $34,040.

As far as the Chevrolet Colorado goes, the front seats are a bit small for larger folks. With the back seats folded, there are more spacious trucks out there. The design of the front also inhibits off-roading capabilities. The Chevy’s fuel economy also has 19 mpg combined.

Edmunds says that while the Colorado has a lot to offer certain people, it might be best for those who want a full-size truck that doesn’t act like a full-size truck. If you go for it, the LT is a solid trim all around. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado starts at $25,200.

Where Edmunds and Consumer Reports disagree

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator made the list of Consumer Reports Most Satisfying New Pickup Trucks. There are so many trucks on the market for 2021 across various sizes and brands, but CR compiled a list of those who left owners most satisfied. “The models that top Consumer Reports’ owner satisfaction ratings deliver on manufacturer promises, whether they’re about ride quality, payload capacity, or towing performance,” Consumer Reports said.

Consumer Reports ranked the best compact pickup trucks in 2021. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ranked fifth out of 10 other compact pickup trucks, but the last four were not tested yet. The overall score for this truck was 44, which leaves a lot to be desired. The Colorado only racked up a score of two out of five for predicted reliability. The predicted owner satisfaction received a score of three out of five.

It makes sense for Jeep fans to stick with the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. It has more positives to offer than the Chevrolet Colorado. However, the Chevrolet Colorado is a good midsize truck that isn’t confused about being a truck.