Jeep Gladiator vs. Toyota RAV4

Step right up! Pick a trim, any trim. The Gladiator and the RAV4 are available in several trim levels, including off-road-tuned trims and daily drivers. You can select a trim level that matches your needs perfectly from either model.

Their color selections are just as bountiful. They share several grayscale and rainbow paints, including brilliant blues and lush greens. If you want to stand out and make a statement, choose the Jeep. It offers bold colors like Firecracker Red and High Velocity, which are unavailable on the Toyota.

The most significant design difference is their body styles. The Gladiator is a truck, while the RAV4 is an SUV. Both vehicles make it easy to explore nature in all-new ways. However, as an open-air truck, the Gladiator will help you feel closer to nature.

This Jeep truck offers several transformative open-air options to enhance your adventure, including:

• Segment-exclusive fold-down windshield
• Available hardtop and soft top roof options
• Available half doors

You can even remove the roof and the doors entirely if you want to! Go on, be wild.

Besides an available moonroof and panoramic glass roof, the RAV4 needs to improve in the exterior customization department.

Two engines are available on both models. You’ll have one gas-powered and one efficient-type engine. Let’s explore the Jeep’s powertrains first:

• 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine: 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
• Available 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine: 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque

Can the Toyota RAV4 keep up? Its standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, while its available hybrid engine produces just a bit more gusto at 219 horsepower. Regardless of which RAV4 engine you choose, the Gladiator’s options will overpower it.

So, the Jeep Gladiator has more power. What does that mean for you? You can peel out from red lights and zip down an open highway thanks to quick acceleration. It also means you can tow more! When properly equipped, the Gladiator can tow up to 7,700 pounds, while the RAV4 caps out at 3,500 pounds.

Are you leaving your cargo at home? The Jeep and the Toyota can be your playtoy. Both models are built for off-road adventures; however, when the terrain gets dodgy, the Jeep will use the power of 4-wheel drive to make any surface a drivable road. On the other hand, the Toyota comes with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive.

The Jeep and the Toyota have off-road-tuned trims that make exploring the less traveled road easier. They’re built with a higher ground clearance (up to 11.1 inches for the Jeep and 8.6 inches for the Toyota) to protect your model’s underbelly from ragged rocks and other obstacles. Their available skid plates also provide armor.

These models are designed to go over, around, or through whatever terrain lies ahead. Before you begin your trek, use the Jeep’s available TrailCam® and the Toyota’s available Panoramic View Monitor with Camera Perimeter Scan to check your immediate surroundings and ensure the coast is clear.

When tackling tough turf, you need confidence. After all, a seasoned off-roader can make the most troublesome trail look like a piece of cake. The 2023 Gladiator displays this confidence immediately thanks to its Trail Rated® and Desert Rated badges! Below, let’s explore where these models excel:

Making a splash in the Toyota RAV4 is guaranteed. After all, this model is made for adventures of all kinds. However, after rigorous testing, the Gladiator proves you can dive right into the journey without hesitation.