2025 Jeep Gladiator Vs. Ford Ranger Comparison
What's New for the 2025 Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger Trucks?
- With removable outer panels, like the roof and doors, and a wide range of trim levels with legendary Trail Rated and Desert Rated off-roading capability, the Jeep SUV dominates the adventure category of our Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger comparison.
- The 2025 Jeep Gladiator receives a few changes from the previous model year, including standard power locks and doors on the base trim, two new colors, and an available active cabin ventilation feature that allows you to pre-cool or pre-heat the interior via an app.
- There are fewer updates to the 2025 Ford Ranger, as it only sees variations in its available exterior color options from the 2024 model year.
- Pull up the specs sheet, and you'll find that the Jeep Gladiator has increased interior space, additional off-road-ready enhancements, a higher maximum towing capacity, and a larger standard engine that makes more horsepower than the 2025 Ford Ranger pickup.
Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger: Midsize Mettle
Hit any trail with both models in our Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger showdown, and you'll quickly see why the Gladiator truck tops the midsize ranks in off-road attitude and open-air freedom – plus, it's downright fun to drive! With its broader range of trims, more interior space, superior nature-loving attributes, and elevated interior technology, the Jeep Gladiator rises above the Ford Ranger without breaking a sweat.
Dive into the rugged details of this head-to-head truck comparison – compiled by the team at DARCARS CDJR of Rockville – below, then visit our Jeep dealership in Rockville, MD, today to take a new Gladiator trim and all its 2025 updates for a legendary test drive.
2025 Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger Specs & Performance
The new Jeep Gladiator for sale is a wild, trail-conquering warrior that combines the utility of a pickup truck with the adventure-ready spirit and capability of a four-door Wrangler. With its efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, the Jeep engine powers over rocky roads and steep gradients with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
Need to pack up and tow a heavy load? The Gladiator truck can handle up to a 1,725-pound payload in its Sport S trim and can tow up to 7,700 pounds when equipped with the Max Tow Package, beating the top Ranger towing specs by 200 pounds. The 2025 Jeep Gladiator also offers standard 4x4 capability, while three of the four Ranger trims charge extra for it.
Though fuel economy likely isn't why you're purchasing a Jeep Gladiator in the first place, this truck still pulls through with an EPA-estimated 17/22/19 MPG (City/Highway/Combined). Four-wheel-drive Ford Ranger models offer a slightly higher MPG for city and highway driving, but they also come with a smaller 18-gallon gas tank (or 20-gallon tank on the Raptor trim). When you factor in the larger 22-gallon tank of the Jeep Gladiator, the Jeep SUV can travel further on a single fill-up: 418 miles vs. 396 miles for the Range.
The Ford Ranger technically offers three engines, but the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost is the standard option on three of its trims. This four-cylinder powertrain outputs 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Choose the available 2.7-liter EcoBoost, and you will get more power under the hood – 315 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque – but you'll be paying thousands more for those specs, and they'll reduce your MPG.
The top-spec Ranger Raptor trim houses a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder beneath its hood and is the only Ford trim to offer standard four-wheel drive. The Raptor engine increases your power to 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, but it lowers your EPA-estimated MPG to 16/18/17 (City/Highway/Combined).
Ready to choose your next midsize pickup? Explore the spec highlights of the Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger below to see which model offers the capability you need most, or scroll down to take a closer look at each truck's off-road abilities.
2025 Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger Specs Comparison
| 2025 Jeep Gladiator | 2025 Ford Ranger | |
| Passenger Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Standard Engine | 3.6L V-6 | 2.3L 4-cyl |
| Horsepower | 285 | 270 |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | 4x4 | 4x2 (standard) or 4x4 (available) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Max. Payload Capacity | 1,725 lbs1 | 1,788 lbs6 |
| Max. Towing Capacity | 7,700 lbs2 | 7,500 lbs2 |
| Max. 4x4 EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Comb) | 17 / 22 / 19 MPG3 | 19 / 26 / 22 MPG5 |
| Max. 4x4 EPA-Est. Range | 418 mi4 | 396 mi4 |
| Fuel Tank | 22 gal | 18 or 20 gal |
| Max. Ground Clearance | 11.6 in | 10.7 in |
Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger Off-Road Credentials
The Jeep Gladiator is the only open-air pickup on the market, giving you the versatility of a truck and a Jeep SUV in one rugged package. Its bold exterior design reflects its off-road attitude, and its Heavy-Duty Dana 44 axles are the same style used in rock crawlers and drag racers. Add in the Gladiator Rubicon trim's Rock-Trac 4x4 System, and you'll gain a low-range transfer case that delivers an 84:1 crawl ratio on steep inclines or large rocks.
Jeep vehicles have a long history of all-terrain dominance, and the 2025 Gladiator is no exception. This truck is built to tackle water fording with an exceptional ground clearance of up to 11.6 inches, and its available sway bar disconnect gives you impressive front-wheel articulation. Available front and rear Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials help you maintain momentum and traction, and the rear axle can even be locked in 4HI Mode when climbing at higher speeds.
The durable steel bed features built-in tie-downs and a three-position tailgate for simple loading and unloading, which means the Gladiator truck not only conquers trails but also helps you set up camp more quickly when you reach your destination. Even its signature wheels, which are uniquely crafted for each Gladiator trim, can be fitted with available snowflake-rated tires to improve your winter traction above typical all-season or all-terrain performance.
Although the recent Ford Ranger redesign makes it look more rugged, its build doesn't act the part. Its solid stabilizer bar reduces sway but doesn't improve your truck's articulation on uneven surfaces. As noted above, the first three Ranger trims come with a standard 4x2 drivetrain, which limits your off-road capabilities, particularly in snow.
The Ranger truck also maxes out with 10.7 inches of ground clearance, and that's only in the top-tier Raptor model – the other Ranger trims only provide 9.3 inches of ground clearance. The 2025 Ford Ranger offers an available rear e-locking differential, but only the Raptor trim comes with a standard Ford Trail Control system. After comparing the Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger off-road capabilities, it's clear that the more powerful Gladiator trims are your best bet when the going gets tough.
2025 Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger Comparison: Trim Level Lineup
Compare Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger trim levels, and you'll see this contest isn't even close. The new Jeep Gladiator for sale gains a stunning lead straight out of the gate by equipping its entry-level Sport trim with elevated standard features. Enjoy a largest-standard-in-class 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen. Upgrade to the available Uconnect 5 NAV system for built-in navigation, voice command control, and segment-exclusive Integrated Off-Road Trail Guides. The entire Jeep lineup also includes small yet thoughtful touches, such as adjustable head restraints, illuminated cup holders, and a locking glove box.
Keep your Jeep Gladiator roof on and windows up to clean your cabin with a built-in air filter, or open your truck to the sky and wind by detaching its top and sides. A tire-specific pressure monitor lets you know when and if a tire needs air. Choose any trim but the base Sport to gain deep-tinted sunscreen windows – all but the entry-level Sport and second-tier Nighthawk have Enhanced Adaptive Cruise Control and a premium-wrapped steering wheel, as well.
Visit our dealership to choose your favorite of these seven rugged Jeep trims, test-drive it around Rockville, and buy or lease using our new vehicle specials:
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Sport
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Nighthawk
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Sport S
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Willys
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator High Tide
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X
- 2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon X
In an attempt to keep pace with the fearless styling of the Jeep Gladiator trims, the Ford Ranger received a bold exterior redesign for the 2024 model that carried over unchanged to 2025 (with the exception of a few exterior paint swaps). This refresh made the SuperCrew Cab the only option for the Ford pickup. It also made the cabin features overly reliant on the center touchscreen.
Upgrading to a Lariat or Raptor trim will broaden your center display to 12 inches and add leather to your steering wheel, but the first two Ranger editions rely on a 10-inch center display and a urethane or vinyl steering wheel. The 2025 Ranger trim levels are as follows:
- 2025 Ford Ranger XL
- 2025 Ford Ranger XLT
- 2025 Ford Ranger Lariat
- 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor
Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger Interior Dimensions
Settle into a Jeep Gladiator or Ford Ranger, and it's evident that interior space is another victory for the Gladiator truck. The Ranger trims have 41 inches of front headroom, while the more spacious Gladiator trims provide 42.8 inches of front headspace.
Both trucks can seat five, but only the Jeep Gladiator makes its back seat comfortable for adult passengers, with 42.8 inches of rear headroom and 38.3 inches of rear legroom. If you choose a Ford Ranger trim, backseat passengers will need to squeeze themselves into only 38.3 inches of rear headroom and 34.6 inches of rear legroom.
Find Your Jeep Gladiator Trim Today
From stunning take-charge specs to relaxing interior space, the Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger comparison is an easy win for the 2025 Gladiator truck. If you're ready to elevate your midsize pickup experience and tackle any road or trail with new capabilities, talk to our finance department about finding the rates and incentives you need on a new Jeep Gladiator trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: the Jeep Gladiator or the Ford Ranger?
Ultimately, which one is better is up to your personal preferences. However, we think it's evident that the 2025 Jeep Gladiator beats out the new Ford Ranger with a higher maximum towing capacity, better off-road capability, higher maximum ground clearance, extra cabin space, roomier rear seats, and more trim levels. Visit DARCARS CDJR of Rockville today to explore all the benefits of a daring, open-air Jeep Gladiator.
Is the 2025 Jeep Gladiator bigger than the Ford Ranger?
Yes, the Gladiator truck is larger overall than the Ranger. The new Jeep Gladiator base model measures 218 inches long, 73.8 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 75 inches tall, while the 2025 Ford Ranger base model is only 210.6 inches long, 75.5 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 74.4 inches tall. The Jeep Gladiator has roomier rear seats to boot, plus a higher-rated maximum towing capacity.
Is 4x4 standard on the Jeep Gladiator?
Yes, every new Jeep Gladiator comes with standard 4WD for increased traction on any terrain. Only the top-spec Ford Ranger has standard 4x4 capabilities – all other Ford trims have a standard 4x2 drivetrain. The iconic Jeep Gladiator also features 11.6 inches of maximum ground clearance, an available sway bar disconnect for better front-wheel articulation, and available front and rear Tru-Lok differentials.