Compare the2023 Ford MaverickVS 2023 Jeep Gladiator

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Maverick are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Ford Maverick has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Gladiator doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Maverick has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats that act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Gladiator doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head and are only available for the front seats.

The Maverick has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Maverick’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Maverick’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Maverick uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Gladiator uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Maverick and the Gladiator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Maverick is safer than the Jeep Gladiator:

	Maverick	Gladiator
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	129	220
Neck Injury Risk	22%	34.9%
Neck Stress	234 lbs.	292 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	139/49 lbs.	576/707 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Maverick, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 9.8% to 11.2% less likely to roll over than the Gladiator, which received a three-star rating.

Warranty

There are over 25 percent more Ford dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Maverick’s warranty.

Reliability

The Maverick has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ford Maverick Hybrid’s reliability 48 points higher than the Gladiator and the Ford Maverick is rated 52 points higher than the Gladiator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

Engine

The Maverick’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 260) than the Gladiator’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Maverick is faster than the Jeep Gladiator (automatics tested):

	Maverick Hybrid	Maverick EcoBoost	Gladiator
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	7 sec	8.7 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12.5 sec	12.4 sec	15.1 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.7 sec	3.8 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	15.4 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.7 MPH	88.9 MPH	83.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Maverick gets better mileage than the Gladiator:

				MPG
Maverick
FWD	Auto	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid		40 city/33 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.		23 city/30 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.		22 city/28 hwy
		Tremor 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.		20 city/24 hwy
Gladiator
AWD	Manual		3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto		Rubicon 3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
			3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/22 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Maverick Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Maverick has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Maverick higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Jeep Gladiator (1 to 7). This means the Maverick produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Gladiator every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Ford Maverick comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Gladiator.

The Maverick Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Maverick stops much shorter than the Gladiator:

	Maverick	Gladiator
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	194 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Maverick’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Gladiator Sport’s standard 75 series tires. The Maverick’s optional tires have a lower 60 series profile than the Gladiator Overland’s 70 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Ford Maverick’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Gladiator’s solid front axle, which allows the Maverick’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Maverick has fully independent front and semi-independent rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Jeep Gladiator has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Maverick has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Gladiator.

The Maverick XLT AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Gladiator Overland pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maverick’s turning circle is 4.5 feet tighter than the Gladiator 4x4’s (40 feet vs. 44.5 feet). The Maverick’s turning circle is 5 feet tighter than the Gladiator Mojave’s (40 feet vs. 45 feet).

Chassis

The Ford Maverick may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1600 pounds less than the Jeep Gladiator.

The Maverick is 1 foot, 6.3 inches shorter than the Gladiator, making the Maverick easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction makes the Maverick’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The Gladiator doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Maverick has standard flush composite headlights. The Gladiator has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Maverick XLT AWD is quieter than the Gladiator Overland:

	Maverick	Gladiator
Full-Throttle	71 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	70 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

The Maverick has 1.6 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room and 1.6 inches more front shoulder room than the Gladiator.

The front step up height for the Maverick is 7 inches lower than the Gladiator (18” vs. 25”). The Maverick’s rear step up height is 7.5 inches lower than the Gladiator’s (18.5” vs. 26”).

Ergonomics

The Maverick’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Gladiator has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Maverick’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Gladiator.

The Maverick’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Gladiator’s optional power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

The Maverick’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over, or reaching to the back seat. Power locks cost extra on the Gladiator.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Maverick’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Gladiator doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost SOS Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Maverick Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Maverick’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Gladiator’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Maverick’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Gladiator’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

The Maverick has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Gladiator only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Maverick offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Gladiator doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Maverick is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Maverick owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Maverick will cost $480 less than the Gladiator over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Maverick will be $12856 to $16785 less than for the Jeep Gladiator.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Ford Maverick Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Gladiator isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Maverick third among midsize pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Gladiator isn’t in the top three.

The Maverick was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Gladiator hasn’t been picked since 2020.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Maverick as the 2022 North American Truck of the Year. The Gladiator was last chosen in 2020.