2025 Ram 2500 vs 2026 Jeep Gladiator

$45,565 · Truck

$38,830 · Truck

Comparison Overview

Trying to choose between a traditional heavy-duty hauler like the 2025 Ram 2500 and the rugged, open-air adventure of the 2026 Jeep Gladiator can be tough! If you need serious muscle, the Ram leads by a huge margin, offering 405 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque from its base engine, compared to the Gladiator's 285 hp. However, this power comes at a price; the Ram starts at $45,565, which is $6,735 more than the Gladiator's $38,830 entry point. While the Gladiator is significantly smaller at 218.0 inches long, making it easier to maneuver, the Ram stands taller at 78.0 inches. The biggest usability difference is fuel economy: the Gladiator delivers 19 combined MPG, a crucial advantage over the less efficient Ram, which is typical for a heavy-duty platform.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator wins for commuting due to its superior 19 combined MPG and smaller 218.0-inch footprint compared to the Ram.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Ram 2500

The Ram 2500 offers superior size and presumed interior volume, despite the Gladiator's open-air appeal.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ram 2500

The Ram 2500 appeals more to power enthusiasts with its robust 405 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Jeep Gladiator

The Gladiator is the clear value choice, coming in $6,735 cheaper than the Ram 2500.

Choose the Ram 2500 if...

You frequently tow or haul and need the substantial 429 lb-ft of torque provided by the Ram 2500.
You prefer the stability and larger road presence provided by the Ram's 79.4-inch width and 78.0-inch height.
Your primary use case demands higher peak horsepower, as the Ram offers 405 hp versus the Gladiator's 285 hp.

Choose the Jeep Gladiator if...

Budget is a major factor, as the Gladiator saves you $6,735 compared to the Ram's starting MSRP.
You prioritize fuel efficiency, benefiting from the Gladiator's 19 combined MPG.
Off-roading capability and a smaller overall dimension (218.0 inches long) are more important than maximum payload.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ram 2500	Jeep Gladiator
Length	232.0"	218.0"
Width	79.4"	73.8"
Height	78.0"	75.0"
Wheelbase	140.5"	137.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	—
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Fog Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Front Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Headrests	—	3
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Base Engine Displacement	6.4 L	3.6 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	405 hp @ 5600 rpm	285 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	429 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Overhead valves (OHV)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable

Drive Train

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	four wheel drive
4WD System Type	—	Part Time
Transfer Case Gearing	—	Manual Hi-Lo
Locking Hubs	—	Automatic

Fuel

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	0/0 mi.	374.0/484.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	32.0 gal.	22.0 gal.
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	—	17/22 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	—	19 MPG

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Passenger Vanity Mirror	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Infotainment Display	8.4 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	8
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	6 months

Power Feature

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	2
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Front Head Room	39.8 in.	42.8 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	65.9 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	62.9 in.	53.9 in.
Seat Material: Vinyl	✓	—
Front Seat Type: 40-20-40 Split Bench	✓	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Manual

Rearseats

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Rear Head Room	—	42.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	—	38.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	55.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	55.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Steel
Wheel Size	17 x 7.5 in	17 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	LT245/70R17	245/75R17
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Non-Matching	Full Size Non-Matching
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ram	Jeep
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ram 2500 and 2026 Jeep Gladiator.

How much more power does the 2025 Ram 2500 offer over the 2026 Jeep Gladiator?

The Ram 2500 boasts significantly more power in its standard configuration, delivering 405 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. This stacks up against the Gladiator's 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, giving the Ram a major performance edge.

What is the price difference between these two trucks?

There is a substantial $6,735 difference in starting MSRP between these models. The 2026 Jeep Gladiator begins at $38,830, whereas the 2025 Ram 2500 starts at $45,565.

Which truck is better for daily commuting regarding fuel consumption?

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator is far better for daily commuting if fuel economy matters, achieving 19 combined MPG (17 city/22 highway). The Ram 2500's specs do not list MPG but its heavy-duty nature suggests significantly lower efficiency.

Is the Ram 2500 much larger than the Gladiator?

Yes, the Ram 2500 is substantially bigger in every dimension provided. It is 14 inches longer (232.0 inches vs. 218.0 inches) and over 5 inches wider, making parking and tight maneuvers more challenging than with the more compact Gladiator.

Do both trucks use regular unleaded gasoline?

Both the 2025 Ram 2500 and the 2026 Jeep Gladiator list regular unleaded as their required fuel type, which keeps the running costs consistent in terms of fuel grade.

Which truck is equipped with Four Wheel Drive standard?

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator comes standard with Four Wheel Drive (4WD), which is ideal for tricky weather or off-road excursions. The 2025 Ram 2500 is listed as Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) in this comparison's base configuration.