The Ford Ranger Raptor is the grossest pickup that can be bought in Europe, but it is no longer alone at the top of the segment. The Jeep Gladiator has arrived: it’s bigger, it’s more powerful and it’s more expensive, but is it better?
The Jeep Gladiator and the Ford Ranger Raptor analyzed in video
Pickup trucks are fundamentally work vehicles and therefore tend to exhibit rough and rough operation. What makes special ford ranger raptor and to Jeep Gladiator is that they focus on the more playful, more recreational side. It has a spectacular image, outstanding performance and its handling is remarkably refined.
The size of these models is colossal. In width the oval brand model impresses because the Raptor is much wider than a conventional Ford Ranger and exceeds the Jeep by 13 cm. But if there is one aspect in which these two models stand out, it is the length: they are certainly not cars designed for the city because the Ranger Raptor measures 5.36m long, it is huge, but the Gladiator increases that dimension by 23 cm more to reach the 5.59m.
One might think that thanks to its huge dimensions, the Jeep Gladiator can offer a much larger cargo area, but curiously, this is not the case. It’s the Raptor is the one with a bigger box offering more width and height although in terms of payload the two offer a similar capacity of just over 600 kilos. It is not much compared to the industrial cut trucks that exceed the ton but these two models have a more recreational character.
Jeep optionally proposes the installation of a 230-volt plug with a waterproof cover for the box and a led light point, providing greater practicality to this area. Of course, the accessory catalogs of the two manufacturers propose numerous functional and stylish solutions with load base protectors, sliding guides, crossbars or different variants of covers.
Okay, maybe you’re thinking that Jeep has taken advantage of that higher longitudinal level to give greater habitability in the rear seats, but neither. The space in the rear seats is enough for passengers up to 1.85 m tall, offering a longitudinal gap similar to that of its rival. There is slightly less headroom in the Ranger Raptor and in width they are both more or less the same and three adults will be somewhat cramped. Of course, once again Jeep has sought practicality by devising a useful compartment under the bench.
Comfortable and well equipped
In front the Raptor surprises by quality. Everything is very well finished and there are leather elements with blue stitching. Even has a sporty touch with elements such as the steering wheel with a central marker or the wraparound seats. The SYNC 3 entertainment system with an 8-inch touch screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay should be highlighted because it works very well and, above all, it is very easy to operate.
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506657_9.jpg)
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506658_10.jpg)
The interior design of the Gladiator does not attract too much attention but it still shows a remarkable quality in its construction and a good level of finishes. The center screen is slightly larger than the Raptor’s, at 8.4 inches corresponding to the Uconnect 4 infotainment system. It is very complete and, like its rival, is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
In the center console these two pickups have proposed two different solutions. Ford locates the lever of the automatic transmission of torque converter and 10 gears and a rotary control that adjusts the types of traction (rear-wheel drive, total or total with reduction gear). Jeep exposes two levers, one is that of the 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission and the other is used to select the traction modes. A much more traditional setup on off-road vehicles.
The Gladiator has a fantastic quality and that is it is removable. The doors can be removed, the roof can be removed in parts and the windshield can be lowered. What is a pity is that the most extreme versions of the Jeep pickup are not marketed in Spain, such as the Gladiator Rubicon, which are more rugged and more customizable versions of the American model. In our country the range is limited to the Overland finish and the special Launch Edition series.
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506664_15.jpg)
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506665_16.jpg)
Driving the Jeep Gladiator it is quickly discovered that the performance is impressive. It is capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 8.6 seconds, an extraordinary figure for a vehicle of this enormous size. Under the hood there is a 264 hp 3.0 V6 diesel engine that pushes hard and is like carrying a tank, it seems unstoppable.
One curious thing is that despite having a larger propeller, the Gladiator has a more contained fuel consumption than the Raptor and, surprisingly, in both it has been easy to improve the WLTP homologation data. In varied routes on asphalt, the Jeep model will be around 9 l/100 km while the Ford model will be around 10 l/100 km.
The characteristics of the Raptor can be seen in the consumption and spends much more than a conventional Ford Ranger with the same 213 hp 2.0 Ecoblue biturbo engine. By the way, Jeep will expand the range of its monstrous off-roader with the Jeep Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid, an interesting and very innovative bet within the pickup segment.
The Jeep offers more pure performance and is more efficient, but it is the Raptor that conveys sensational confidence behind the wheel. Going on the road or on fast tracks, the Ranger Raptor falls in love because it’s so much fun, it’s so comfortable and it can go really fast with amazing ease. The address has a good setting and has a wider track than the Gladiator so it shows a magnificent footprint that produces great stability at all times and a lot of poise in curves. It’s going so well that you wish it had more power.
It also feels a bit more refined despite the fact that its engine has four cylinders instead of the Jeep’s six. Saving distances, in the Raptor the touch is quite similar to that of an SUV and it is a very nice vehicle considering the category we are talking about. You can do many kilometers without getting tired.
The goat always throws the mountain
The natural terrain of these two models is obviously far from the asphalt. These two mountain goats they shine for their ability to overcome complicated obstacles with very effective traction systems, central and rear locking systems and, of course, gearbox. They are outstanding off the asphalt but each of them offers a somewhat different performance due to its characteristics.
The Gladiator impresses the strength of its engine at all times. It is a larger engine than its opponent, it has more power but above all it generates more torque. They are 600 Nm that promise to move anything, whether it is pulling a trailer or fully loaded. By the way, he has a extraordinary towing capacity of up to 2,722 kg, surpassing the 2,500 kg with which his rival can.
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506650_5.jpg)
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506652_6.jpg)
The suspension of this superlative Jeep is made up of two Dana rigid axles very robust, the Selec-Trac traction system is magnificent and the motor is very powerful so it can face almost any obstacle without fear. Also for its good offroad dimensions because the angle of attack is clearly greater in the Jeep than in the Raptor and the angle of departure is also somewhat better. However, I don’t like its maneuverability so much. The Jeep is tremendously large and the turning radius of 13.7 m is very wide so getting it into small spaces is tricky.
In off-road driving, the best thing about the Ford Ranger Raptor is that it does everything with apparent simplicity. It has six pre-configured traction modes to suit any surface and proves that it can be almost as comfortable on tarmac as it is off it. The Fox Pro suspensions specific for this version do a fantastic job and have a lot more travel than the damping on a regular Ranger. In addition, this suspension puts the body at a greater distance from the ground than its rival, 3 cm more, simplifying the task of overcoming obstacles while providing a increased wading ability.
I was talking about the offroad dimensions and the Raptor is more balanced in that aspect. Yes, it is true that the Gladiator has better angles of attack and departure but the ventral angle is its great weak point. The wheelbase of the Jeep pickup is very large (3.49 m) so it is more likely that it could get stuck on some ridge.
It is curious that while in Europe the administrations are concerned with encouraging electrified and ecological cars, which do not pollute, from the other side of the pond the vision of the world is very different. In fact these two formidable pickups have a size medium by American standards. God bless America!
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506654_7.jpg)
![Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video) Comparative Jeep Gladiator vs Ford Ranger Raptor Which is the king of pickups? (with video)](https://cdn-images.motor.es/image/m/694w/./fotos-noticias/2022/02/comparativa-jeep-gladiator-vs-ford-ranger-raptor-202284835-1644506655_8.jpg)
It is clear that they are two brutal pickups in every way as much for its imposing appearance as for its performance and its fantastic off-road capabilities. It can be difficult to choose one or the other until you see the price list. It seems to me a decisive element in these, which are the two most expensive pickups in the Spanish market.
They have a high acquisition cost but while the Ranger Raptor can be obtained for €60,900 to get a Jeep Gladiator you have to significantly increase your budget and overcome the barrier of €73,300 according to the official rates without including discounts or promotions. At this point the Ford Ranger Raptor would be the sensible choice because it’s capable, it’s a lot of fun and the price factor definitely tips the scales.