Car and Driver: Would you rather? Gladiator vs GMC Canyon

[Guns_N_Rosaries]

As someone who used to work for GM, you'd never catch me buying a GM vehicle!

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[DanW]

Knowing what I do about auto journalism, it's more likely that they happened to have these two press cars at the same time and just tried to make it work.

The author said the Jeep was his personal vehicle.

 

[MainePure]

I can't stand the low roof lines of the Chevy, Ford, Taco where I need to duck my head getting in and out too much. Cheap feeling plastic interiors. I looked at all of them before I bought my 1st JT and it was an easy call. Gladiator is nice and boxy and I fits in there juust right. Plus you can see over the hood more better.

 

[MainePure]

As someone who used to work for GM, you'd never catch me buying a GM vehicle!

This, Chev trucks are absolute trash. Never again.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

As someone who used to work for GM, you'd never catch me buying a GM vehicle!

I am very happy with my EcoDiesel, at least up to now.

But if I would be the rouler of the world, every car would have to be equipped with an LS3, LS6 or LS7 engine. But I understand that these times are gone, but don't understand why ...

 

[ttn333]

On my personal preference, this is a very general comparison, its like hey lets compare 2 midsize trucks that have 4 wheels to the ground ,and heey I have one of those , lets find another one and compare them. This is not a good material for an average person that don't know about trims, capabilities and prices.

A more balance competition will be to compare a Gladiator Texas Trail/Willys vs a Colorado Z71 or this same Canyon AT4.

It curious that this came up, I was just looking at the Colorado 2024 and comparing it with the Mojave. It just amazing the Jeep high price when it is compared with another vehicle taking in consideration price and features offered . Much of us will said, it is well earned, all its legacy since 1941, the community that they have created, the culture behind it and the unmatchable off road capability, but when can we say it is already too much?

Here is what i consider a fair comparison: Gladiator Mojave vs Colorado ZR2

Here is what you can get for 62k with Chevrolet

ZR2 2024 Bison Edition, 35's Tires and a ton of features

Mojave almost fully loaded, 2023 (because you can't build you 2024 in the website yet)
72k

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Is having a 2023 Jeep Gladiator Mojave not fully loaded worth a 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition Fully loaded + 10k?

We can enter in the field of HELL YEAH is a Jeep, is my money I do what I like with it, and just continue inflating this amazing symbol . But as a 32 year old Jeep owner since 2009, coming from a Jeep owners family, Former Chrysler Dealership Service Advisor, middle class according to the US Census, I would like to have a Mojave fully loaded in the low 60' range, just as Chevrolet can offer a similar vehicle. You want to keep it at 70k? no problem, but at least put some 2 inch kit and 35's or do something not just say ''Its a Jeep Thing''

I know I am not the only one noticing these things between prices vs brands vs features offered, a lot of people are complaining, Jeep is also trying to do something https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a46408936/2024-jeep-gladiator-price/, but still there is a lot of improvement that can be made in order to have satisfy, happy new and current Jeep owners.

Just face value, that ZR2 looks so much better than the comparable Mojave. I can see Jeep loosing seles to the general public, like my brother in law, and I can't blame him.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

I guess I'm not as negative as some of the previous comments on GM. They are well known for shit interior, for sure, but they have made some really solid engines in the past. I am also a little more positive on how the turbo 4's have progressed through the years. If you would have said 'a turbo 4 will be in a full size truck' 20 years ago it would have been laughed at. It's kind of impressive engineering wise if you think about it.

Now with all of this said, I did cross shop the Canyon and Tacoma as I'm not a Jeep purist. The Canyon was a close second to the Gladiator as for ride, comfort, interior, etc... I obviously thought the Gladiator was much better at everything midsize truck than the others, and of course it's hella nice being able to remove the roof.

My concern was 'Chrysler reputation/reliability', but I had seen enough of the Pentastars go 200k+ miles to have high hopes. Of course it's annoying that there is a recall on the manual, and it seems they can't figure out how to seal a back window. With that said, I've noticed the interior has held up really well. I'm not sure if enough people bring this up, but I still don't have any weird squeaks or noises from the interior. Overall I'm hoping this truck lasts 10+ years without any issues and that will mean 10+ years of enjoying driving the truck on those beautiful Florida days.

 

[Great Offender]

I assessed what I wanted a truck to do and the Gladiator checked all the boxes for being a truck

I agree with your entire post but selected this because it mirrored my thinking. I wanted a toy but missed having a truck. "Checked all the boxes!".

 

[ttn333]

I guess I'm not as negative as some of the previous comments on GM. They are well known for shit interior, for sure, but they have made some really solid engines in the past. I am also a little more positive on how the turbo 4's have progressed through the years. If you would have said 'a turbo 4 will be in a full size truck' 20 years ago it would have been laughed at. It's kind of impressive engineering wise if you think about it.

Now with all of this said, I did cross shop the Canyon and Tacoma as I'm not a Jeep purist. The Canyon was a close second to the Gladiator as for ride, comfort, interior, etc... I obviously thought the Gladiator was much better at everything midsize truck than the others, and of course it's hella nice being able to remove the roof.

My concern was 'Chrysler reputation/reliability', but I had seen enough of the Pentastars go 200k+ miles to have high hopes. Of course it's annoying that there is a recall on the manual, and it seems they can't figure out how to seal a back window. With that said, I've noticed the interior has held up really well. I'm not sure if enough people bring this up, but I still don't have any weird squeaks or noises from the interior. Overall I'm hoping this truck lasts 10+ years without any issues and that will mean 10+ years of enjoying driving the truck on those beautiful Florida days.

I notice some squeakiness sometimes, but it's usually drowned out by the high noise floor of my soft top and big tires. LOL. Add in higher volume on my stereo, it's not a issue.

 

[Gvsukids]

Is having a 2023 Jeep Gladiator Mojave not fully loaded worth a 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition Fully loaded + 10k?

Does that include rebates?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Small granny smith compared to big yellow delicious......
One thing is for certain -the author accomplished their goal - money for the employer.
Click click click click..........

 

[lo-fi]

Agree, I've really enjoyed using my gladiator as a midsized truck and that's the purpose I bought it for. Zero cons where I'm concerned. Haul all kinds of stuff. Those are 4'x9' pontoons. I've hauled mulch, wood, furniture, boats and bunches of other stuff with no problems. Test drove many a truck and I couldn't be happier with my gladiator's performance.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I traded my Canyon for Gladiator as soon as I could…

 

[Madtom]

I have no grudges against smaller engines that have turbos. This allows you to get better gas mileage while driving a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a barn door. Our 2020 JLU has the turbo 2.0 liter and our 2023 JTR has the turbo diesel. With a full tank of fuel both vehicles will go over 450 miles to empty. Both are really good engines for this platform with plenty of HP/Torque in all usable rpm ranges. (Some people complain because they are Italian engines... I disagree as I like Italian engines.....I married an Italian.... just need to keep it tuned and do regular maintenance and the Italian will tell you what they need.....Technically derivatives of both of these engines are in Alpha Romeo's and they love to sing.) (as for my Italian...she knows how to cook, relax and have fun....she is a Jeep girl).

Both vehicles have more get up and go over our JKUs that had the 3.8 liter while still getting 5-7mpg better around town while weighing more than our old jeeps.

All of this useable power can be bad as our 19yo got a ticket in the Tennessee mountains when he borrowed the JLU to go to a winter resort...using the pedal like he did in his JKU and got a ticket going 92/65 ... "but mom I didn't know it would go that fast I wasn't paying attention." yeah that was a fun 689$ I wasn't expecting to pay.

Jeep Gladiators really can't be compared to other pickups......... not any other convertible pickups with removable tops/doors out there (other than the Scrambler or other jeeps lol)....... I love Jeeps and I like the practicality of having a Jeep that allows me to do pickup things like haul and tow while still being true to the calling of a Jeep.

I have definitely used my Gladiator in the midsized pickup truck role and use the cargo space in the rear for projects every week. Plus when warm weather comes I will do the same after removing the top and doors. That cannot be done in any other vehicle.........and that is why I have a Gladiator.

 

[Gren71]

never owned a chevy or gmc so i cant speak to their reliability... But i do know that EVERY brand has its ups and downs on quality.

When I was beating around the idea of getting a new truck a couple months ago I was looking VERY hard at the canyon. When compared to a JT from a towing stand point it was a competitor for sure. The tow package on the GMC gives you a LOT more than a JT for way less money. Then I looked at all of the other "stats" of the GMC on paper and was really out looking for one to test drive and probably pull the trigger on.

Ultimately I ended up with the Ram..

I was at the DC auto show recently and FINALLY got to sit on one...and I was let down. The interior felt cramped... Even compared to the JT. And realistically for the price you can get a sierra for little no no extra money. The interface was pleasant and and well thought out. But the driving space just felt...bad. As if anyone larger than a string bean of a human was not the intended market. Then the back seats were smaller than the JT, shorter but pads...and had no space behind them for storage. The rear seats them selves felt cheap and uncomfortable and gave NO leg room for the kids...let along adults. The JT rear absolutely blows the canyon rear away. Once place the canyon shined was the bed and tailgate. The way Chevy used extra space in the bed and tailgate for storage was awesome, and really should be an industry standard IMO. The kitted out version at the auto show had a dismal payload..just like most JTs...so that was a wash a suppose.

Overall Im very happy with the full sized vs the canyon. I would regret getting one had I went with the on paper specs alone.

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