The Jeep Gladiator is one of the most unique products currently on sale in South Africa, being an off-road-ready double cab bakkie that also happens to be a convertible. Two key rivals to the Jeep, from a pricing perspective at least, are the Ford Ranger Raptor and the Volkswagen Amarok, but which one would we choose? Looking to add one of these potent double cabs to your garage but need to sell your car first? AutoTrader can get you an Instant Offer on your vehicle!
Related: Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger Raptor: Which has the lowest running costs?
Jeep Gladiator
Powertrain and performance
Powering the Gladiator is a 3.6-litre petrol engine with outputs of 209Kw and 347Nm that is sent through all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 12.4 L/100km and the 0-100km/h time has been independently tested at 8.7 seconds.
Standard equipment
The Gladiator comes with LED headlights, a colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, climate control, a heated steering wheel, leather seats, removable hard and soft-top roof, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, 4 Airbags, keyless entry/start, rear PDC and a reverse camera.
Safety
The Gladiator received a 3-star safety rating from ANCAP in 2019.
Practicality
With an approach angle of 43.4 degrees, a break-over angle of 20.3 degrees, a departure angle of 26 degrees, ground clearance of 249mm, a wading depth of 800mm and a braked towing capacity of 2 721kg, the Gladiator has some serious lifestyle double cab credentials.
Price and value proposition
At R1 329 900, the Gladiator is expensive, to say the least.
The competition
Ford Ranger Raptor
Powertrain and performance
Powering the Raptor is a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 292kW and 583Nm that is sent through all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 11.5 L/100km and while the brand does not provide a claimed 0-100km/h time, a sub-6.0-second figure is entirely possible.
Standard equipment
The Raptor comes with Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist, a colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, a digitised instrument cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, 17-inch alloy wheels, 7 airbags, keyless entry/start, a built-in 400-Watt inverter, three 12V sockets, suede and leather-covered seats, electrically adjustable front seats, Matrix LED headlights as well as front and rear PDC with a surround-view camera.
Safety
The Raptor forms part of the larger Ranger line-up, which was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2022, where it achieved a 5-Star rating.
Practicality
The Raptor features seating for five, ground clearance of 272mm, an approach angle of 32 degrees, a break-over angle of 24 degrees and a departure angle of 25 degrees with a towbar fitted, a braked towing capacity of 2 500kg as well as a wading depth of 850mm.
Price and value proposition
At R1 094 900m, the Ranger Raptor is, relatively speaking, fantastic value.
Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana
Powertrain and performance
Powering the Amarok is a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine that produces 184Kw and 600Nm that is sent through all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed at 8.4 L/100km and a 0-100km/h time is not quoted by Volkswagen.
Standard equipment
In PanAmericana specification, the Amarok gets 18-inch alloy wheels, 7 airbags, climate control, keyless entry/start, a multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electrically adjustable front seats(leather), lane keep/departure assist, blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, three 12V sockets, built-in 400-Watt inverter as well as front and rear PDC with a surround-view camera.
Safety
The Amarok was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 where it achieved a 5-Star rating.
Practicality
The Amarok features a braked towing capacity of 3 500kg, an approach angle of 30 degrees, a breakover angle of 21 degrees, a departure angle of 26 degrees, a ground clearance of 235mm and a wading depth of 800mm.
Price and value proposition
At R510 000 for the Z8 model, the Scorpio-N appears to offer great value for money.
Facts and figures:
|
|
Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon double cab |
Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 EcoBoost double cab 4WD |
Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 double cab PanAmericana 4Motion |
|
Engine size (cyl/size) |
6-cyl, 3.6-litre petrol |
6-cyl, 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol |
6-cyl, 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel |
|
Power/Torque |
209 kW/347 Nm |
292 kW/583 Nm |
184 kW/600 Nm |
|
CO2 emissions |
288 g/km |
262 g/km |
222 g/km |
|
Service plan |
5-year/100 000km (maintenance) |
Optional |
5 yr/ 100 000km (maintenance) |
|
Airbag count |
4 |
7 |
7 |
|
Fuel tank capacity |
83 litres |
80 litres |
80 litres |
|
Ave Consumption * |
12.4 L/100km |
11.5 L/100km |
8.4 L/100 km |
|
Driven wheels |
All |
All |
All |
|
Ground clearance |
249mm |
272mm |
235mm |
|
Braked towing capacity |
2 721kg |
2 500kg |
3 500kg |
|
Price |
R1 329 900 |
R1 094 900 |
R1 053 000 |
* Manufacturer's claimed figures.
Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.
Verdict
Looking at the figures, buyers are truly spoilt for choice in the luxury off-road double cab segment, however, it is difficult to ignore just how much bakkie you get for your money with the latest Ranger Raptor.
