Even the Honda Ridgeline Beats the Jeep Gladiator
People like to ask if the Honda Ridgeline is a real truck, but yes, it can do truck stuff. It can even do truck stuff better than the Jeep Gladiator in a few different areas. It may not be fair to compare the Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator in terms of off-roading abilities, but we can see which option is better for daily driving.
The Honda Ridgeline vs. the Jeep Gladiator
According to the U.S. News, the Honda Ridgeline is the best compact truck you can buy for 2020, but the Jeep Gladiator hasn’t been ranked yet. This is odd because there has been plenty of time to judge it.
But if you take a look at other lists, like the rankings from Car and Driver, the Ridgeline continues to dominate in first place, while the Gladiator comes in at 4th place or lower. So critics are loving the Honda and being cold toward the Gladiator.
Pricing wise, these two trucks are pretty competitive. They both have an MSRP of about $33,000, which is pretty high for a compact truck. For example, the Ford Ranger starts with a way cheaper MSRP that’s around $24,820.
Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline power
The Honda Ridgeline has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 5,000 lb, which is less than competitors. It can also carry a payload of up to 1,586. When tested, the Honda Ridgeline could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.
The Jeep Gladiator has a 3.6-liter V6 engine that pumps out 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 7,650 lb when properly equipped. It can also carry a payload of up to 1,700 lb. The Chevy Colorado can tow up to 7,700 lb, so it’s right up there with the competition. Also, the Jeep Gladiator can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds.
So, the Gladiator is stronger for towing and hauling, but the Ridgeline provides a bit of a sportier ride, on the pavement at least. This is because the Honda Ridgeline has a unibody construction while the Jeep Gladiator has a body on frame construction for off-roading.
The Ridgeline generally ranks higher for having a better ride quality. It’s smooth, absorbs bumps, and has a quiet cabin while the Jeep Gladiator is, well, a Jeep. Due to its boxy shape, it generates more wind noise, but it is smoother than expected. After a long day, the Ridgeline is more relaxing to drive.
Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator features
The Honda Ridgeline also ranks higher due to providing more value with its high starting price. For example, it has a dual-action tailgate, a Bluetooth speaker built-in, and an optional built-in lockable trunk.
The trunk is water-resistant and has a plug, so it’s perfect for using as a cooler. You can arrive at the tailgate with the perfect music and ice-cold drinks. But remember to have a designated driver.
The Jeep Gladiator has a cool truck bed too. It offers LED lighting for doing things at night and a three-position tailgate to make loading longer items easier. Plus, there are tons of aftermarket accessories you can add.
But the Ridgeline also comes with tons of standard features for convenience and safety, including tri-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more.
With the Gladiator, standard safety features change based on which trim level you get. For example, adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning are available for lower-trim models but not standard.
