Starting at
Starting at
| 418 | Horsepower | 285 |
| 440 lb-ft | Torque | 260 lb-ft |
| 11.6 inches | Ground Clearance | 11.1 inches |
As the demand for off-road-worthy vehicles continues to rise, automakers like Ford and Jeep are happy to oblige. Jeep has a rich history of building rugged adventurers. Still, the brand born of necessity at the dawn of World War II faces steep competition from the automaker that put the world on wheels over a century ago. Comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco vs 2025 Jeep Gladiator showcases this rivalry and paints a clear picture of how Ford's ingenuity shines brightest when competition is fierce.
The 2025 Bronco and 2025 Gladiator are not part of the same classification—the Bronco is an off-road SUV, and the Gladiator is a midsize truck. However, drivers who shop between the two models recognize it as much. They're not looking at classification but capability and how the automakers deliver.
Ford outdoes Jeep in several key areas in 2025. The Bronco offers a broader range of performance, more capability, an array of trims and customization options, and cutting-edge technologies. The 2025 Gladiator barely scrapes by with a one-engine lineup that hangs solely on Jeep's reputation for its legendary four-wheel drive capability. Unfortunately, that isn't enough.
While your search for an off-road vehicle worthy of your time and money might begin with the 2025 Gladiator, we know a secret. Comparing Jeep's well-loved truck with modern marvels like the 2025 Bronco promises a different ending to your next adventure. We're certain you'll join the Ford family and gain a front-row seat to the capability that's earned the Bronco its stellar reputation for going over all types of terrain and never looking back.
Jeep models like the Gladiator are well-known for holding their value, but that isn't an advantage when paying a premium for a new model. The 2025 Gladiator starts at $38,695, with Jeep requiring you to dig deeper into your wallet without necessarily offering more for your money. That initial investment puts you behind the wheel of the 2025 Gladiator Sport, a base trim with a sparsely-equipped interior, soft-top roof, 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and Jeep's Command-Trac Part-Time Selectable 4x4 System.
The Gladiator Sport offers the open-air freedom the Jeep brand is known for, with the trim earning its Trail Rated badge. However, the Gladiator's rugged design compromises your comfort, and its high price tag threatens your budget. For example, the Gladiator's rugged design makes it bumpy and loud on any terrain, more so at highway speeds. Upgrading to a top-tier trim like the Rubicon means enjoying a more capable off-road truck. Still, not even heated leather seats are enough to discount the harsh ride quality that awaits you anytime you climb behind the wheel.
We see a vastly different approach from Ford with the 2025 Bronco, which starts with the Base at $37,995 and progresses to the Big Bend, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, and Raptor.[a] Ford offers drivers more for their money, with the Bronco Base available as a two- or four-door model with a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four engine that delivers significantly more horsepower and torque than Jeep's Pentastar V6. Likewise, the Bronco Base is fully customizable with the Sasquatch Package, which enhances the Bronco's prowess off the pavement without compromising its on-road manners.
As you climb the Bronco's family tree, each trim offers distinct styling details and personas. Moreover, this progression doesn't hinder the Bronco's capabilities on or off the pavement, nor does it negatively impact the ride quality. Instead, Ford offers various suspension systems and packages that let you finetune the Bronco to your unique needs, whether you're looking for a physical connection with the SUV via a manual transmission, want a stealthy SUV with blacked-out elements, or can't wait to satiate your need for speed with the Raptor.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket?" Jeep doesn't take this adage to heart and puts all its faith in the award-winning 3.6L Pentastar engine. Why is this significant? While the Pentastar has a stellar history in the Jeep lineup, it doesn't give the 2025 Gladiator the advantage it needs to outshine and outperform the 2025 Bronco.
The 2025 Gladiator relies on the Pentastar V6 as its only powertrain option. Jeep pairs the engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the combination producing 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That's impressive for a midsize truck, which can tow over 7,000 lbs and support a payload of up to 1,725 lbs. However, if it's power you want and need, your search shouldn't stop with Jeep.
Ford recognizes that drivers value having choices when it comes to performance. The 2025 Bronco offers a multi-engine lineup with a broad range of capabilities that give the SUV an undeniable advantage over off-road rivals like the 2025 Gladiator. For example, the Bronco's base powerplant outperforms the Gladiator's Pentastar V6 without breaking a sweat. Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four produces 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Moreover, Ford gives drivers a choice between a smooth-shifting ten-speed automatic transmission and a seven-speed manual, a rare option in today's automotive landscape.
The good news continues as you explore the rest of the Bronco's powertrain lineup for 2025. Not only does Ford offer more horsepower and torque for your hard-earned money, but you're also enjoying more choices. The mid-tier powerplant is a 2.7L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 that works with a ten-speed automatic transmission to produce 330 horses and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Raptor lives up to its namesake and relies on a turbocharged 3.0L EcoBoost to make 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque for exceptional capability at any speed.
It's easy to assume that a Jeep like the Gladiator automatically wins the race as the most capable when venturing off the pavement. Jeep's legacy for building rugged adventurers is undeniable, and the Gladiator is certainly no slouch. However, when pushed to its limits, the 2025 Gladiator can't keep up the pace against rivals like the 2025 Bronco.
The 2025 Bronco and 2025 Gladiator share many similar off-road features. The four-wheel drive models have electronic locking differentials, underbody skid plates, and sway bar disconnects. These are necessities in a vehicle destined to venture beyond the pavement, providing better traction, articulation, and protection when the terrain is challenging. So, how does the 2025 Bronco gain the lead over the 2025 Gladiator?
Jeep's midsize truck is Trail Rated, boasting a ground clearance of 11.1 inches and a water-fording capability of up to 31.5 inches. When testing these conditions, Dana solid axles add to the Gladiator's rigidity and durability. Yet, Ford ups the ante with a choice of four high-performance suspensions, an extensive selection of drive modes, and an impeccable design that gives the 2025 Bronco an 11.6-inch ground clearance and a water fording capability of up to 33.5 inches.
Depending on the trim, the 2025 Bronco features one of four HOSS suspensions with FOX internal bypass dampers. The heavy-duty modular front bumper increases clearance and is ready for customization with a winch, safari bar, lights, and brush guard. Inside, Ford offers more control over the Bronco's performance via the Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes, which extends legions beyond the Gladiator's Off-Road+ mode. The G.O.A.T. Modes finetune the Bronco's throttle, gear shift changes, and traction control to the situation, whether in Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, or Baja.
Ford enhances the Bronco's performance with the SUV's Trail Toolbox, which equips the SUV with far more than the off-road camera you'll find on the 2025 Gladiator. The 2025 Bronco's trail-ready technologies include Trail Turn Assist, Ford Trail Control, and Trail 1-Pedal Drive. From low-speed cruise control on the trail to improving the SUV's turning radius, the 2025 Bronco can handle every situation without faltering.
Were you confident the 2025 Jeep Gladiator was the perfect adventurer to add to your garage? While Jeep's midsize truck is worthy of the spotlight, rivals like the 2025 Bronco offer something far more appealing. Ford gives drivers more powertrain options and off-road capability across the Bronco's lineup in 2025, sweetening the SUV with its value-rich packaging that guarantees you get more for your money.
As your Ford destination, we share your excitement for the 2025 Bronco. Henry Ford put the world on wheels, showcasing his ingenuity with the Model T in the early 1900s. While his initial success was enough to get his business moving in the right direction, Ford never faltered and continuously looked for ways to improve. We share that passion and perseverance as we look for new opportunities to deliver the world-class experience you deserve.
We are proud to be your automotive partner and are dedicated to handling all your automotive needs from our showroom floor to our service center. Our commitment is unmatched and our transparency is unparalleled. It's an experience you deserve and, in our opinion, is how buying an iconic SUV like the Bronco should be–exciting, rewarding, and enjoyable today and every day ahead.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
