VS
At a Glance
Power
292 kW
209 kW
Torque
583 Nm
347 Nm
Fuel
11.5 l/100km
12.3 l/100km
Towing
2500 Kg
2721 Kg
Engine
2996 cc
3604 cc
Choosing between the Ford Ranger and the Jeep Gladiator is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Ford Ranger delivers 292 kW while the Jeep Gladiator produces 209 kW. On fuel, the Ranger returns 11.5 l/100km while the Gladiator uses 12.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 299 000 for the Ranger and R1 427 900 for the Gladiator. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
292 kW
209 kW
Torque
583 Nm
347 Nm
Top Speed
—
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2996 cc
3604 cc
Engine Layout
V
V
Cylinders
6
6
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
10
8
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
11.5 l/100km
12.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
83 l
CO2 Emissions
262 g/km
288 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5360 mm
5591 mm
Width
2028-2225 mm
1894 mm
Height
1926 mm
1905 mm
Wheelbase
3270 mm
3488 mm
Ground Clearance
272 mm
280 mm
Kerb Weight
2432 Kg
2242 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2500 Kg
2721 Kg
Load Capacity
—
693 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
4
5
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
Optional
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
12000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Ford Ranger
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Ranger
Fuel Economy
Ranger
Value
Ranger
Practicality
Gladiator
Pros & Cons
Ford Ranger
More powerful engine (292 kW)
Better fuel economy (11.5 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R1 299 000)
Few notable weaknesses
Jeep Gladiator
Higher towing capacity (2721 Kg)
Higher fuel consumption (12.3 l/100km)
Less power than rival (209 kW vs 292 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Ranger or Gladiator?
The Ranger uses 11.5 l/100km and the Gladiator uses 12.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Ranger is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Ranger or Gladiator?
The Ranger produces 292 kW and 583 Nm of torque while the Gladiator delivers 209 kW and 347 Nm of torque. The Ranger is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Ranger and Gladiator?
The Ranger starts from R1 299 000 and the Gladiator from R1 427 900. The Ranger is cheaper by R128 900 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Ranger or Gladiator?
The Ranger has a braked towing capacity of 2500 Kg and the Gladiator can tow 2721 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Ranger or the Gladiator?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.