Comparison shopping: Colorado, Gladiator, Tacoma

[Todd780]

Mistaking having a soul, for eating a soul.

If I had to put 600,000 miles on a Corolla, I'm jumping off a bridge.

Lol, I'd dd a old Corolla or Civic to save fuel / mileage on my truck as my commute for work is about 65 miles roundtrip.

But, buying a beater fuel miser dd still looks like it would cost more than just dd'ing the truck.

 

[Dalko43]

Because in my opinion no vehicle model is the end-all perfect solution for every person. More or less saying "if you don't like what I like you might as well get a car" is a pretty bad line and that is mainly what stuck in my craw.

With 100+ years of BOF 4x4's on the market there is something for everyone.

Frankly, I don't care if you like or dislike the same vehicles that I do...but if you're going to call a vehicle "soulless" or "boring" without providing any context for that assessment, then be prepared to get some questions thrown your way.

All of Toyota's 4x4's are very capable and very reliable vehicles...for some people that understated capability has a charming quality unto itself. I'm sure many people here (including Toyota owners) would agree that the the hardcore, more purpose-built Wranglers have "soul" in some aspects, but they also have a greater tendency for leaks, squeaks and less reliability overall....for many others that equates to headaches rather than charm and cachet.

The Gladiator reminds me of my favorite all time truck, the Defender 130 double cab. Whether or not its a jeep doesn't matter to me it has the right look and the right bits (avail lockers and SFA, winch capability etc.) I think its longevity will equal the JK with time and will be definitely be less of a "mechanics" vehicle than a Defender would be. There is a huge price gap between a ZR2 and a Gladiator here. Is the Jeep a better truck? Maybe, but its definitely not 22K better.

The problem with the Gladiator is that for all of the engineering and work that went into the chassis and overall platform, it still has a removable top and it still uses a car-derived v6...that best-in-class payload and towing means next to nothing if you're going to use a v6 that is already somewhat overworked in the base JL platform.

I chose the ZR2 as a compromise, its performance and economy are what I need right now. It is a dual locked, diesel mid size truck, that is comfortable as my DD. There actually is a bit of a aftermarket following for the ZR2 and is slowly ramping up. I didn't go Bison because was a lot of an upcharge for it and all of its features are available in the aftermarket, its the same suspension and drivetrain as a ZR2 but with some skids, bumpers and badges for 9K extra(CDN). If you want a Colorado buy a regular ZR2 and build how you want it over time. But yes at its heart its still a pedestrian Chevy Colorado and thats what makes it soulless.

^That last part is, in a nutshell, the problem I have with the Colorado. The ZR2 is a very capable offroader, arguably in a class of its own within the IFS BOF midsized segment....but the underlying platform is very much tailored to onroad comfort and handling rather than offroad use. Unlike with the Tacoma, GM had to put a lot of work into the Colorado to transform it into a capable offroader (ZR2)...and even then there are some aspects that GM was reluctant to address (shock tower mounts, lack of fuel tank skid plate, approach angle).

 

[Todd780]

it still uses a car-derived v6...that best-in-class payload and towing means next to nothing if you're going to use a v6 that is already somewhat overworked in the base JL platform.

But aren't the V6's in the Gladiator, Tacoma and Colorado all car based?

 

[spectre6000]

...that understated capability has a charming quality unto itself...

Please elaborate on this.

The problem with the Gladiator is that for all of the engineering and work that went into the chassis and overall platform, it still has a removable top and it still uses a car-derived v6...that best-in-class payload and towing means next to nothing if you're going to use a v6 that is already somewhat overworked in the base JL platform.

The removable top is unique. Similar to non-front engine placement or... I don't know, cab over? It is in pursuit of an end goal, which I think is "fun" in the case of a Jeep. I'm all for the removable top, even if I can't produce enough melanin to justify it as something worth paying extra for (for all the cars I've owned, not one has been a convertible).

I'm with you on the V6 though. Dumb engine for a truck as discussed above.

Unlike with the Tacoma, GM had to put a lot of work into the Colorado to transform it into a capable offroader (ZR2)...and even then there are some aspects that GM was reluctant to address (shock tower mounts, lack of fuel tank skid plate, approach angle).

I suppose a case can be made for the non-off road oriented Tacomas requiring less work due to geometry, but needing to modify the frame to fit 33" tires stands in sharp contrast if that were the case. Then there's the whole rest of the package to boot...

Personally, I applaud GM for taking the effort to modify the otherwise lackluster Colorado for a much more difficult use case. It's not quite as extreme a transformation as VW's aforementioned Type 1 - Type 2 effort, but not a sticker package either (Toyota). I think the approach angle is dealt with on ZR2/Bison, and the fuel tank skid plate on the Bison. I believe GM made a number of changes to the frames on the ZR2/Bison, which is great. Shock mounts on the rear axles really should have been included in those changes, however. It seems like a no-brainer that this will be addressed in the aftermarket though. I obviously haven't had an opportunity to really dig in deep, but it doesn't seem like moving even the DSSV shocks outboard would be incredibly difficult or require anything more special than a MIG welder.

But aren't the V6's in the Gladiator, Tacoma and Colorado all car based?

As for the Colorado V6... Not entertaining it, and never did. I feel like all V6es are car based. It exists solely for packaging, and trucks rarely have that issue...

 

[Todd780]

The removable top is unique. Similar to non-front engine placement or... I don't know, cab over? It is in pursuit of an end goal, which I think is "fun" in the case of a Jeep. I'm all for the removable top, even if I can't produce enough melanin to justify it as something worth paying extra for (for all the cars I've owned, not one has been a convertible).

Have you ever ridden in or driven a convertible with the top down on a hot, sunny day? It's the best. Only owned one myself. 22 years ago. I still miss that car....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

some people that understated capability has a charming quality unto itself

And I think that is why most people prefer the Wrangler. Great styling inside and out, can go topless/doorless for great nice weather driving and offroad visibility, excellent suspension travel and the aftermarket for everything about it is off the charts.

 

[LimaMikeMike]

The problem with the Gladiator is that for all of the engineering and work that went into the chassis and overall platform, it still has a removable top and it still uses a car-derived v6...that best-in-class payload and towing means next to nothing if you're going to use a v6 that is already somewhat overworked in the base JL platform

GME Inline Six: The Mopar “Tornado”?

www.allpar.com

There has been some talk over on the gladiator forum about this future 3.0 straight six TT, though there hasn’t been much news since January. Who knows if it would fit in the JL/JT platform because of length but I would dig an other straight six Jeep.

As for the pentastar 3.6. Improvements are relative, I’d hazard a guess you’ve never driven a pre 2012 JK with the old 3.8?

 

[spectre6000]

Have you ever ridden in or driven a convertible with the top down on a hot, sunny day? It's the best. Only owned one myself. 22 years ago. I still miss that car....

Definitely have. My dad had a 64 1/2 Mustang convertible when I was very young, and a Miata when I was older.

The thing is, it's only slightly hyperbolic to say I get a sunburn watching the Travel Channel... Red beard, green eyes, eats lots of potatoes... You get the picture. Melanin is not something I really do per se... Additionally, I'm not exactly bald, but thin enough up top that I might was well be. I keep it buzzed to a 0 for a 'can't beat it, might as well embrace it' vibe. Then, you can toss in a dose of living at 6,800' and the extra solar intensity that comes with that. I like sunroofs because there's actually things to see out of them up here, but I also need the shade.

 

[spectre6000]

There has been some talk over on the gladiator forum about this future 3.0 straight six TT, though there hasn’t been much news since January. Who knows if it would fit in the JL/JT platform because of length but I would dig an other straight six Jeep.

Having been under the hood of one recently, I'm going to say that's a non-starter without some seriously tight and tiny cylinders...

 

[Dalko43]

But aren't the V6's in the Gladiator, Tacoma and Colorado all car based?

Yes they are...and they're generally not well-regarded as truck engines.

Please elaborate on this.

Really? I have to elaborate why a spartan Toyota 4x4 has "charm" but we all seem to assume that same "charm" exists for a Wrangler or modified Colorado?

The removable top is unique. Similar to non-front engine placement or... I don't know, cab over? It is in pursuit of an end goal, which I think is "fun" in the case of a Jeep. I'm all for the removable top, even if I can't produce enough melanin to justify it as something worth paying extra for (for all the cars I've owned, not one has been a convertible).

The removable top might add to the "fun" factor but it certainly negates the Wrangler as an all-year round, comfortable long range driver....The Wrangler is an offroad toy, and the interior build quality and weather proofing adds up to an experience that might be "fun" for some but tiresome for others.

And I think that is why most people prefer the Wrangler. Great styling inside and out, can go topless/doorless for great nice weather driving and offroad visibility, excellent suspension travel and the aftermarket for everything about it is off the charts.

Most? Toyota sold 245k Tacoma's in 2018 as compared to the Wrangler's 240k.

I'd say that more than enough people find charm and capability with the Tacoma.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Oh sorry, I was on 4Runner which imo is more of a Wrangler competitor than a Taco.

 

[Todd780]

The removable top might add to the "fun" factor but it certainly negates the Wrangler as an all-year round, comfortable long range driver....

Why? I see lots of them driving around Alberta in the winter. And there are days that we have been the coldest place on the planet.

Which makes me question why the hell I live here.......

 

[spectre6000]

Really? I have to elaborate why a spartan Toyota 4x4 has "charm" but we all seem to assume that same "charm" exists for a Wrangler or modified Colorado?

What I'm asking for is your particular take on "charm" in light of the previous pages of conversation re: character/soul. I like that as another synonym for the concept. I'm not saying the Tacoma doesn't have charm at all, and I absolutely think it does which is a significant part of why it's even under consideration. I'll happily lay out my thoughts on that, but first, so as not to prime anything, what do you consider specifically charming about the Tacoma?

The removable top might add to the "fun" factor but it certainly negates the Wrangler as an all-year round, comfortable long range driver....The Wrangler is an offroad toy, and the interior build quality and weather proofing adds up to an experience that might be "fun" for some but tiresome for others.

You should go try on a Jeep made in the last several years. If you're thinking CJ for your Jeep comparison, you should probably check out the new crop and recalibrate. Since the FCA merger, Chrysler has made a serious effort to get their ******** together and it shows. Their interiors are where they especially shine. Of the three trucks I looked at (though I'd need to look again to properly contextualize everything), the Jeep had the nicest interior, and noticeably so. My wife's JKUR is a little loud, but there haven't been any issues with weather proofing save the one or two times the top wasn't seated properly, and that's on her, not the car. As for long range driver, it's the preferred vehicle for our annual 2000 mile road trip visiting family. It fits everyone (including the dog) with room to spare, has all the necessary creature comforts, the seats are nice, etc.

Most? Toyota sold 245k Tacoma's in 2018 as compared to the Wrangler's 240k.

I'd say that more than enough people find charm and capability with the Tacoma.

You can't ignore the Tacomas being sold as fleet/work trucks for the reliability reputation. Assume similar numbers of mall crawlers. Aside from that, Wranglers sell for very different reasons. I think that 5K deficit is more than swung once this is taken into consideration, and the Wrangler handily wins "most". Personally, I'd go Tacoma over Wrangler, but just because I need the bed.

 

[jadmt]

I can say a new JK and presumably JL wrangler 4 doors are very comfortable for long road trips. I am always humored when someone rides in my wrangler who has not been in a new one says wow these ride really nice. I live in Montana so we have 100F to -40F temps and mine is comfortable in either condition. I am on my 4th wrangler and I have been lucky and never had a bad one. My wife has a new CRV touring and we opt to take the Jeep on long trips just because it is more enjoyable and as hard to believe as it is it has less road noise even with 35's.

 

[transalper]

45,000 miles (20,000 miles are mine since October last year) on my diesel ZR2 with no problems, no rattles, and I like it more every day. The miles include some 4wheeling and a harsh MN winter. But I went from a 2001 Xterra to the ZR2 so anything newer would probably seem amazing.

I am not a big fan of the Bison package and am happy with my Relentless Fab bumpers, but am planning to get the AEV armor from the t-case back.