ford raptor jeep gladiator mojave

Same Price Truck War: Ford F-150 Raptor vs. Jeep Gladiator Mojave

A sixth version of the Jeep Gladiator just came out. Jeep says this new Gladiator Mojave is “the first-ever desert rated Jeep”. To earn this new badge, the Mojave picks up from the Rubicon and adds 2.5” Fox shocks with external reservoirs and an inch of suspension lift. It is basically a pre-runner of sorts, whereas the Gladiator is more of a crawler.

Being that it’s a top-level Gladiator, it’s got a top-level price, too. The Mojave starts at $44,120 and can balloon up to almost $66,000 when all the boxes are checked off. That’s a lot of loot. However, this got me thinking about how it could compare to another similarly priced vehicle that had the same intent.

Some time ago, I compared a like-priced Gladiator Rubicon to the Ram 2500 Power Wagon. I’d be lying if I said that I wouldn’t choose the Ram. Problem is that Ram does not make a pre-runner-ish truck, at least not yet. But Ford does – the F-150 Raptor.

The Raptor is a lot more than just some shocks, though. First off, it’s a full-size truck, whereas the Gladiator is considered a compact truck. It is a lot more than a trim kit on the conventional F-150, too. It has its own special engine, its own body panels, suspension, wheels, gearing, and a lot of other hardware. I love the Raptor and I’ve said that it would be the first vehicle I’d buy if I won the lottery. But that was before the Gladiator existed.

The Issue of Price

The issue with the Raptor is that it is very pricey. The Raptor SuperCab starts at $55,150. I reviewed a 2017 Raptor SuperCab and urged everyone to get the CrewCab, which starts at $58,135. Four real doors also make it more comparable to the Gladiator. To bring it up to the price of a loaded Mojave, I decided to add the A801A package, twin-panel moonroof, 360-degree camera, graphic package, Torsen front limited-slip differential, and a tonneau bed cover. This brought the price of my not-fully-loaded Raptor to $65,890.

My Gladiator Mojave had everything on it, including accessory wheels, color-matched top and fenders, and a damn snorkel. It actually had a few things that the Raptor did not, such as an upgraded audio system, remote start, and heated steering wheel. The total price for all that Jeep goodness is $65,880.

Payload and Towing:

Despite the differences in size, both trucks have a payload of 1200 pounds. The Raptor SuperCrew can tow 8000-pounds (6000 pounds for SuperCab) to the Mojave’s 6000-pound towing capacity. Other versions of the Gladiator and F-150 have higher payload and towing capacities but these two particular models are likely limited by their softer off-road suspensions. Because the Ford is a full-size truck, its bed is six inches longer. I’d question if that’s a significant difference.

Advantage: I’d say that’s a draw. Yes, the Raptor can tow more but if one needs payload and towing, with off-road agility, buy the Ram 2500 Power Wagon or an F-250 with the Tremor Off-Road Package for the same money.

Engine and Transmission:

The power between these two is very different. The Gladiator has the aging 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. That goes through a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor has the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 that makes 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, which is connected to a ten-speed automatic

Advantage: Ford. It’s not even a contest.

dash board cabin mojave raptor

The Insides:

The F-150 cab is huge and very comfortable. Choose the right options and it can be as comfortable as the best of luxury sedans. It’s also a lot quieter. The Jeep cabin is smaller, its seats are smaller, and everything is smaller. But it’s not small, either. The obvious advantage that the Gladiator has is that the whole damn top of the cabin comes off, as do the doors, and the windshield can flip forward. The Gladiator is the only convertible pickup truck that you can buy now.

Advantage: Jeep, but only slightly. It’s that removable roof that makes the Gladiator so cool and the Raptor cannot match that.

raptor vs mojave REAR

Driving Dynamics:

I have driven several Raptors. I have also driven several Gladiators but not the Mojave. With full certainty, I can say that no matter what suspension changes Jeep engineers did to the Mojave, there is no way that it will ride or drive anywhere near as good as the Raptor. Frankly, the Raptor drives and handles much better than it has every right to. The thing defies physics.

Advantage: Ford. Some will argue that the Jeep has a live axle in the front, to which I say that it is what it is.

Off-Road Gear:

Very few buyer will take these $65,000 rigs on a proper desert run. Those who take the Jeep will have the ability to disconnect the front sway bar for more axle articulation and to lock both front and rear differentials. Jeeps gives a choice of 33” mud terrain or all-terrain tires. Ground clearance is 11.6-inches, an approach angle of 44.7 degrees, break-over angle is 20.9 degrees, and the departure angle is 25.5 degrees.

The Raptor SuperCrew wears 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain rubber (Hooniverse staff favorite). It has a locking rear differential and an optional limited-slip front differential. The Raptor terrain management control system which automatically adjusts to whatever you’re driving on. The approach angle is 30.2 degrees, the break-over angle is 21.8 degrees, and the departure angle is 23.0 degrees.

Both vehicles have FOX Racing Shox shock absorbers, available front trail cameras (helpful when driving uphill and you see nothing but the sky in your windshield), and a ton of available accessories.

f-150 raptor mojave gladiator price

Conclusion:

Personally, I love both of these rigs. But I love them for their specific reasons. I would not buy a $60,000 or even a $50,000 Gladiator. With the Raptor I feel like I could justify getting the fully loaded model. The pricier Raptor is a sports car, a pickup truck, and a luxury sedan in one. It helps that it looks awesome, too. Select the SuperCab model and a Raptor can be had for around $55,000.

The Gladiator is an awesome vehicle but a well-equipped model can be had for around $40,000. The Mojave, at the end of the day, is still a $35,000 Jeep Wrangler pickup truck with a ton of stuff bolted onto it. Love ya Jeep, but my imaginary $66,000 is going to Ford this time.

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16 responses to “Same Price Truck War: Ford F-150 Raptor vs. Jeep Gladiator Mojave”

  1. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    Rationally, full-size trucks just don’t exist to me since I largely don’t think they belong in a city unless they’re doing actual work, so on that alone, it’s the Gladiator. That said, if I was dropping $60k on a truck, there’s a reasonable chance I also own somewhere that a Raptor makes more sense.

    Until then, I’m holding out for the Ranger Raptor coming here.

    1. Kamil K Avatar

      This is why I purposely reviewed the Raptor in the city. it was excellent-ish!

      City Living with a 2019 Ford Raptor

  2. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    With regards to towing, a 2000-pound difference is anything but insignificant. True, if your focus is towing then you’d buy something else entirely, but regardless, the ability to pull an additional ton is huge. There’s nothing logical about a draw in that category. Advantage: Ford, easily.

    If I were spending my money, neither of these rigs is realistically within consideration. And despite their similar missions, I wouldn’t even think of cross-shopping the two. One is huge, and the other is pretending to be compact. I don’t like V6s in general (regardless of power output), but the Jeep’s is hugely outgunned in this battle. The Ford is automatic-only, though, which is a dealbreaker for me in most cases. Ideally, I would want a V8 or inline diesel with a manual, but the Jeep’s turbo four would be fine if I could get it with a stick (which I can’t).

    I grew up in a rural area where families tend to have brand loyalties, and my family embraced both Ford and AMC/Jeep. If I hit the lottery, though, I’d get the Gladiator. It’s not the logical choice, but it’s the one I’d be most satisfied with. However, I’m holding out in hopes that Jeep brings back the inline six and pairs it with a six-speed manual. If that happens, it’s no contest, though I would probably buy the vastly cheaper Sport and upgrade it to my liking. Nothing will tempt me to pay Rubicon/Mojave prices.

  3. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    With regards to towing, a 2000-pound difference is anything but insignificant. True, if your focus is towing then you’d buy something else entirely, but regardless, the ability to pull an additional ton is huge. There’s nothing logical about a draw in that category. Advantage: Ford, easily.

    If I were spending my money, neither of these rigs is realistically within consideration. And despite their similar missions, I wouldn’t even think of cross-shopping the two. One is huge, and the other is pretending to be compact. I don’t like V6s in general (regardless of power output), but the Jeep’s is hugely outgunned in this battle. The Ford is automatic-only, though, which is a dealbreaker for me in most cases. Ideally, I would want a V8 or inline diesel with a manual, but the Jeep’s turbo four would be fine if I could get it with a stick (which I can’t).

    I grew up in a rural area where families tend to have brand loyalties, and my family embraced both Ford and AMC/Jeep. If I hit the lottery, though, I’d get the Gladiator. It’s not the logical choice, but it’s the one I’d be most satisfied with. However, I’m holding out in hopes that Jeep brings back the inline six and pairs it with a six-speed manual. If that happens, it’s no contest, though I would probably buy the vastly cheaper Sport and upgrade it to my liking. Nothing will tempt me to pay Rubicon/Mojave prices.

  4. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    I’d go with the Raptor, overall it’s a much more capable vehicle than the Wrangler plus the meme value. It seems to me that Jeep’s niche is rock crawling rather than desert racing so the Rubicon makes much more sense. Realistically I’d buy a lower spec F-150 since my off road interests are more with things carried by trucks rather than wheeling the truck. Of course the ultimate offroad crew cab remains a Tatra

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Tatra_815_8x8_NVA.jpg

  5. Tiberiuswise Avatar

    I don’t think you’re being fair by not giving the Raptor a big win in the payload and towing. Even if it didn’t win by the numbers, the bed and interior size make it an unfair comparison in the carrying stuff department. Seriously, flip up the rear seat and take a gander at what I call the inside bed.

    1. Kamil K Avatar

      Yup, it’s huge. I mentioned that in the cab/interior part.

  6. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    I go to the hardware store a lot more than I go to the mall, so I would pick the Raptor. When I was in my 20’s, I used to spend a lot of time at the mall, and I would have preferred the Jeep.

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      They’re both toys, in my opinion. If I wanted a legitimate pickup to use as such, I wouldn’t want a Raptor or a Gladiator. I’d want a 2WD F150 with an 8′ bed and a V8.

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Of course they’re toys. 98% of the ones produced are going to be used by people who use them as basic transportation 98% of the time. Such runs are the automotive equivalent of a hundred dollar hamburger.

  7. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    It’s not fair that you did engine and trans in one category. It wouldn’t have changed the outcome at all, but an available manual transmission has to be able to give the Jeep a point no matter how many gears the Raptor brings to the table.

    The Raptor wins this hands down, but I think I’d consider a lower spec Gladiator over a lower spec F150.

    1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

      Stick shift and removable top are the only reasons to buy the Gladiator. They are damned good reasons.

    2. Kamil K Avatar

      I’ve driven the new Wrangler with a six-speed manual and the eight-speed auto. The auto is a much better transmission.
      -K

      1. Ol' Shel' Avatar
        Ol’ Shel’

        For texting and applying makeup, while apdating your social media, I guess. If you love being engaged in the act of driving, then a manual trans always beats an auto. The 6-speed in my Ram Cummins isn’t a great trans, but it’s the only one I’d choose, because I love driving.

  8. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Almost 69k$ MSRP…I don’t know, I wouldn’t want to get a car this expensive dirty, and I’d enjoy slinging mud and testing rollover protection much more in, say, an old, neatly set up Montero. Especially if I do a quick google and realize that 66k$ MSRP buys you this gorgeous, practical, comfy, fast, AWD, turbo beauty. Look, it’s in the desert!

    https://i.ibb.co/ZGFBB6L/2018-Volvo-V90-T6-AWD-R-Design-All-Stars-Contender-33.png

    My imaginary deal is sealed.

  9. Dustin Avatar
    Dustin

    I’m on the other side of the fence having driven a Mojave but not a Raptor. The Mojave rides silly smooth though so I’d have to say it didn’t get a fair shake in that department. Also, I bought a cheaper Mojave and am putting the Magnuson Supercharger on it which should level the playing field in the power department.