Compare the2023 Chevrolet Colorado VS 2024 Jeep Gladiator

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 Colorado 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 Colorado’s 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 Colorado offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Gladiator only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Colorado and Gladiator offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Colorado with Rear Cross Traffic Alert also has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Gladiator’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Colorado and the Gladiator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and blind spot warning systems.

The Colorado’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Gladiator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 21 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Colorado’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Colorado has a standard 800-amp battery. The Gladiator’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 6 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The Colorado’s optional 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (310 vs. 285) and 131 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 260) than the Gladiator’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Colorado ZR2’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (310 vs. 285) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 260) than the Gladiator’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Colorado (310 HP engine) is faster than the Jeep Gladiator (automatics tested):

	Colorado	Gladiator
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.6 MPH	83.4 MPH

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

			MPG
Colorado
RWD	Auto	2.7 turbo 4-cyl. (237 HP)	20 city/25 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	18 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/23 hwy
Gladiator
AWD	Manual	3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/22 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Colorado’s fuel efficiency. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Colorado 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.

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

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

For better stopping power the Colorado’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Gladiator:

	Colorado	Gladiator
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.9 inches

The Colorado stops much shorter than the Gladiator:

	Colorado	Gladiator
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Colorado has larger standard tires than the Gladiator (255/65R17 vs. 245/75R17).

The Colorado ZR2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Gladiator Sport’s standard 75 series tires. The Colorado Trail Boss’ optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Gladiator Rubicon/Mojave’s 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Colorado Trail Boss offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Gladiator’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Chevrolet Colorado’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Gladiator only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

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

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

The Colorado LT 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Gladiator Sport pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Colorado Trail Boss executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Gladiator Rubicon (27.7 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.4 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Colorado may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 350 pounds less than the Jeep Gladiator.

The Colorado ZR2 is 5.3 inches shorter than the Gladiator, making the Colorado easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The front grille of the Colorado uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Gladiator doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Colorado has 4 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Gladiator.

The Colorado has a much larger cargo box than the Gladiator shortbed (41.9 vs. 35.5 cubic feet).

The Colorado’s cargo box is larger than the Gladiator’s in every dimension:

	Colorado	Gladiator
Length (short/long)	61.7”	60.3”
Max Width	58.2”	56.8”
Min Width	45.5”	44.8”

The Chevrolet Colorado offers an optional EZ-Lift and Lower, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t offer a tailgate assist.

The Chevrolet Colorado has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

The Colorado has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Gladiator doesn’t offer stake post holes.

The Colorado 4x4 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Gladiator (1490 vs. 1150 lbs.).

When two different drivers share the Colorado Z71/ZR2, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Gladiator doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Colorado Z71/ZR2’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Gladiator doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Colorado’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 Colorado’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 Colorado’s standard front and rear power windows all open with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Gladiator’s optional rear windows don’t open automatically. The Colorado LT/Trail Boss/Z71/ZR2’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes.

The Colorado’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.

On a hot day the Colorado’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Gladiator can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Colorado’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.

The Colorado 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.

The Colorado has standard power remote mirrors. The Gladiator only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Colorado Z71/ZR2 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Gladiator doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Colorado (except WT/Trail Boss) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Gladiator doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

Motor Trend selected the Colorado as their 2024 Truck of the Year. The Gladiator has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Colorado outsold the Jeep Gladiator by 15% during 2022.