Bob Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT
Midsize pickup trucks offer a great blend of practicality, load-lugging capacity, and road footprint. Today, they no longer come with sparse and uncomfortable cabins but pack comfort and luxury features to rival SUVs. The 2023 Jeep Gladiator and the 2023 Toyota Tacoma are two contenders for the best midsize pickup truck.
The Jeep Gladiator nameplate came back in 2019 after a three-decade hiatus. Based on the Wrangler JL’s platform and using its powertrains, the current-generation Gladiator also brings a healthy dose of off-road prowess to the mix. Meanwhile, the Toyota Tacoma has been around since 1995 and is in the third generation, which debuted in 2015. It saw a facelift in 2020 with interior and exterior enhancements.
Let’s compare the 2023 Gladiator and 2023 Tacoma and find out which is the best midsize pickup truck. We’re taking interior, performance, and safety as our metrics. If you’d like to know more about the 2023 Gladiator, the friendly team at Bob Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT is waiting for your call.
The 2023 Gladiator and 2023 Tacoma offer cabins that can accommodate up to five adults, but the Gladiator takes the edge in terms of space. It has 102.9 cubic feet, ahead of the Tacoma’s 100.1 cubic feet. Comparing cabin ambiance, the 2023 Gladiator has more character. This is because of an eye-catching layout and funky design features. In comparison, the 2023 Tacoma feels almost dull, with too much hard plastic and less premium-feeling materials.
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility are standard on both midsize pickup trucks, as are dual-zone automatic climate control and phone charging ports. The 2023 Gladiator also offers an upgraded sound system with a nifty wireless portable speaker. It also has some neat storage solutions to augment your carrying capacity.
The 2023 Gladiator comes with two powertrain choices. You can have a 3.6-liter gasoline V-6 with 285 horsepower or a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 that develops 260 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is the default option on the gasoline engine, with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission as an option. Diesel-powered 2023 Gladiators are only offered with automatic transmission.
You can choose from four different four-wheel-drive systems on offer, depending on trim level. All of which offer varying degrees of off-road prowess and on-road capability. The 2023 Gladiator can also tow up to 7,650 pounds and carry up to 1,700 pounds of payload.
In comparison, the 2023 Tacoma can only tow up to 6,800 pounds or load up its bed with a maximum of 1,685 pounds. It comes with a four-wheel-drive system and a choice of two gasoline engines. The base engine is a 2.7-liter four with 159 horsepower. The Tacoma also has a 3.5-liter V-6 with 278 horsepower. A choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes is on offer.
The 2023 Gladiator and 2023 Tacoma come with plenty of safety features. These include six airbags, stability control, brake assist, daytime running lamps, child safety locks, and more. The 2023 Gladiator can also be optioned with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors if desired.
The 2023 Tacoma may be a fine midsize pickup truck, but it’s not the best. That honor goes to the 2023 Gladiator. Bigger, better, and plusher, it retains the legendary go-anywhere capabilities of a Jeep. The Gladiator also looks the part, can tow more, and handle a heavier payload. Why not call over at Bob Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT and take a test drive in a 2023 Gladiator? You won’t regret it.
