Although Jeep is known for offering a plethora of trim levels on their vehicles, sometimes less is more. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is available in six concise trims that are each designed for a specific purpose and consumer group. Meanwhile, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is available in six trims and three limited trims. Let’s take a look to see which offerings are the best deals.
Dress Up Your Tacoma
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma base model is known as the SR. Riding on 16-inch steel wheels, this model comes with a sliding rear window and power-adjustable side mirrors with heating to prevent ice buildup. The bed is made of composite material that eliminates the need for a bedliner. It even comes with built-in cleats that are moveable to suit your needs. Remote locking/unlocking comes standard with the V6 model and can be added with the convenience package on the 4-cylinder model. As for cabin technology, you will find automatic dual-zone climate control on V6 models and a trio of USB ports on all models. Also, the infotainment interface is displayed on a 7-inch touchscreen that operates with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. There is even a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that comes with this ride.
Next, the SR5 adds chrome exterior trim, remote locking/unlocking, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The steering wheel has been wrapped in leather for a more sophisticated feel, and several features have been added to the V6 models. These include upgraded alloy wheels, a power-sliding rear window, power-adjustable seatings, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. You can also add several packages to V6 models within this trim, including the Dynamic Navigation Package and the Technology Package (covered in the safety section). Dynamic Navigation adds a navigation system and rear parking sensors. Trail Special Edition includes all-terrain tires, all-weather floor mats, a 120-volt outlet in the bed, and lockable in-bed storage compartments.
If you’re looking for a truck that is better suited for light off-roading, the TRD Sport is a great pick. Powered by the V6 engine, it adds larger 17-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and a scooped hood. Keyless ignition/entry is also included, along with a wireless charging pad that helps to reduce clutter inside the cabin. Several packages and stand-alone options are available for this trim, including the Technology Package, Premium Sport package, and LED headlights. The Premium Sport package adds leather upholstery, heated seats, and a sunroof.
Do you want something even more suited to the off-road? The TRD Off-Road in the trim to go with on the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. It gets a chrome-covered rear bumper and a lockable rear differential. It also comes with Bilstein shock absorbers for a smoother ride and an advanced traction control system that adds rock crawling capabilities.
Looking for something more luxurious? The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Limited is a great option. Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels, this model comes standard with LED headlights, a silver grille, and a sunroof. It also gets leather upholstery, a navigation system, and the aforementioned JBL stereo. This trim is available in the Nightshade Special Edition, which adds Black exterior styling elements for a darkened aesthetic.
Finally, the top-tier 2021 Toyota Tacoma trim is the TRD Pro. This off-roading extraordinaire rolls on 16-inch Black wheels with all-terrain tires. It includes a Black grille, LED headlights, a scooped hood, and a thick skid plate for protection against rocks. All of the upgrades on the luxurious Limited trim are also included on the TRD Pro.
Dress Up Your Gladiator
On the other hand, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is more expensive and has less to offer on the entry-level trim. Known as the Sport, this base model includes manual locks and mirrors along with crank windows. There is only one USB port compared to the Tacoma’s three ports, and the infotainment display is a small 5-inch monitor compared to the Tacoma’s 7-inch touchscreen. This vehicle does, however, come with Jeep’s iconic soft top and removable doors/windshield. The Sport S is next, and only adds a few improvements in features to the Sport.
If you are looking for a Gladiator that is more visually unique, you can opt for one of the limited edition trims. The Willys Sport, the Willys, and the 80th Anniversary Edition are all styled to appeal to the hardcore Jeep fan. Most of the changes are purely cosmetic, though.
The next trim on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is the Overland. Featuring automatic headlights, this model gets full power accessories and heated side mirrors. It also includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror and two USB ports. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather for a touch of elegance, and automatic climate control has been installed. Also, the infotainment system gets a larger 7-inch touchscreen and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Next, the Rubicon is the off-roading model in the lineup. It comes with all-terrain tires, locking front/back differentials, skid plates, rock rails, and a stabilizer bar. It is on-par with the Tacoma TRD Pro for off-roading, but it doesn’t have the luxuries that the Tacoma comes with.
Lastly, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave takes the off-roading equipment off and adds a 1-inch front suspension lift, hydraulic jounce bumpers, and a reinforced frame. It is not Trail Rated, but it is Desert Rated, which isn’t something that many people look for in Pennsylvania. In other words, it’s engineered for a very different type of terrain that may be perfect for some people but wholly unnecessary for others.
