Muddy Mayhem: Colorado vs Gladiator vs Tacoma - Which is the Best Off-Road Midsize Pickup? 

Protection is always key. Had 5 children before i started using a skidplate

Tacoma did that trail without a front locker and shitty tires. nuff said.

Who buys a truck based off the stock tires🤦🏻‍♂️

The ZR2 and Bison special addition are what happens when your CEO came with an engineering and quality control background. Nailed it.

ZR2 Bison for me Stephen. I like the lockers and the premium skid plates. Thanks for sharing the details of these trucks.

You sure don’t hold back, I’m always impressed with how much you put these trucks thru!

I don't think you can go wrong with any of these OFF-ROAD Trucks. You know the owners are going to MODIFY these babies within the first year.

Since you're running them all through the hydro-line, could you call this the Golden Ditch Awards? :)

I’d get a TRD Pro with upgraded tires! Great video Stephen!

For me, the deciding factor is long-term reliability: you can change the tires, but you can’t make a vehicle more dependable.

Error in the video about the Gladiator - you CAN lock the rear differential in 4-high on Gladiator Rubicon models by pushing the "Offroad +" button. This was a point Jeep specifically mentions a lot in their marketing materials when it was launched. I'm surprised you TFL overlooked this.

Good choice my man. Excellent reviews.👍 Can't wait until your next one.

Your show is getting better and better.

"Oh Yeah! Skidplates, skidpates, skidpates!"...what my wife will hear tonight 🤣. Seriously, you deliver good content with great energy!

I have this exact truck. V6 and gray bison! Love it, glad I decided to go with it over anything else. I drove a rebel and a taco before deciding. The taco was awesome to drive but I just couldn't get comfortable in. it.

Another great video. My pick would be the regular Colorado ZR2.

I'm not going to buy a vehicle because of tires! 🤣 If only you could change them out.....

Great job Stephen. 3 great trucks right there 👍🏻

This guy never does a boring video. All manufacturers should pay him to do quality testing on their off roadable vehicles.

Great review love your videos. But talking tires, what are your takes on cooper AT3 for offroad and why dont you ever test them?

That's what I got to the Zr2 traded my Power Wagon in its getting the Chevy Performance package put on drove the taco I was to tall for it .

You are exactly right! However, it really shines with the 2.8 Duramax turbo diesel. The low end torque really shines, the turbo makes up for any power loss and it will tow far better than any of these rigs with assistance from the exhaust brake. Not to mention the far better fuel economy. Plus the pur of that diesel is unmatched. The ZR2 is truly the best all around truck with excellent road manners, exquisite high speed desert running/off-roading, and rock crawling champ with the front and rear lockers! The price is also fantastic! Only time will tell when it comes the reliability, so we’ll see.

Yea, I think I'm still going to buy a Gladiator. i totally agree on it's downsides but I'm already planning a 3" or more lift and 37s. I just don't care about higher speeds when off roading in Colorado but I have found on my JLU that you can go fast enough after deflating the tires down to 20psi or less. This area is more about crawling and the Gladiator is superior as long as you get a lift to fix those break over angle issues. But I really did like the video. I liked that you pointed out the pricing differences. People like to critique the Gladiator's price but it's well in line with it's competition.

What is better for off road front and rear lockers or the crawl controll when you get stuck or when you wanna go through a soft mud or snow and you wont want to get stuck?

On the zr2 could you add bigger aggressive tires and give it a lift for ground clearance to make this more of a deal breaker? Am thinking of getting the 2023

Great review.. I still want a Gladiator I have been waiting 3 years for it to come out..

Great video! Personally I lean a bit more to the diesel ZR2, Hope you and your family had a Happy Thanksgiving Weekend Stephen!

Well you appealed to my confirmation bias. You chose the Chevy ZR2. I only have a 18' Z71 though and am Super happy with it over the first 34k miles. I only paid $32k U.S. dollars though and added protection myself. An even better deal in my book.

I love the ZR2 and would love to buy one I just don't know about the quality and resale value.

Traded in my 2003 S10 ZR2 for a 2019 Colorado ZR2. Extremely happy they brought back this package.

Go the mighty jt, ever time I see one I love it

With the bad clearance on the Colorado, are there good lift kits out there for it? Or would that be hard with those fancy shocks it has?

Definitely want a bison! Gotta hit the lottery first though!!! Lol

Great video! What do you drive?

love seeing these compared back to back like this. Hopefully the gladiator will get a 2 door version.

Those rear rock rails look like they're outside the body, not under it. More grocery cart protection than from rocks underneath?

Awesome comparison!

New grill looks better on the Bison👍 but the Gladiator might be a poser, but looks great to me. Awesome video Young Man!!!👍👍👍

I see Stephen and made in Canada and I can't click like fast enough.

The Boys, Roman and Tommy tried to take the Gladiator through the Rubicon trail and that thing sat on its belly on even the easiest of obstacles...So why do you call it the hydra line? or is it hydro. is it because its so wet? is there a water pipe buried there? i just assumed it was a natural gas pipe line

I have to agree the ZR2 would be the choice for me too.

I wonder how much weight is packed on by those skid plates on the Bison

Tacoma because reliability and best resale value. End of story.

I own a Bison, and I can say I use it for offroad, but it is also the funnest truck I have ever drove intown. It is a sports car😁

I’m waiting til the ZR2 get the turbo and push button start then I’ll pull the trigger on one.

Was the Tyre pressure even on all 4x4's

Ive been seeing leftover 2018 zr2's for as low as 33k to 35k . THAT is a steal imo. Plus , honestly I like the way it looks the best .

I’ve got the 19’ Colorado 4x4 (non Bison). It’s an awesome truck but you can’t beat that Toyota crawl option

ZR2 with Diesel for the win. Not the Bison package either. Better angles on the standard ZR2. I installed Datin Fab shock skids on mine. Does everything I want it to do with no issues.Take care.

Literally no auto journalist seems to know about the "Off Road +" button on the Gladiator, which allows you to lock the rear axle in 4HI. EDIT: At least, that's what Jeep initially claimed, but in the manual it doesn't actually state anything about the diffs... so who knows? Thanks for the transparency on your features there, Jeep...

Which engine is going to last longer though? I put my money on the taco. Plus the taco did the trails w no front locker and worse tires.

Yes without a drought the ZR2 in either configuration is the winner

New tires and 5.29 gears and tacoma is best

I'm aiming for a Tacoma in a couple years! The ZR2 Colorado is nice, but I can't give up on that Toyota reliability. The ZR2 package also lowers the tow capacity to 5000lbs which won't work for me, I'm trying to tow a decent sized trailer with me.

Love you guys up north, from white MNTS ,NH U.S.A.

You should try the new ford ranger fx4 and then compare them all together

I still prefer my non Bison ZR2. That AEV front bumper while nice, also ruins your approach angle. You can buy the skidplates from AEV separately for $1700. I also wouldn't give up my diesel for the V6, the little diesel is perfect for the ZR2. On pricing, I can go to my dealers lot right now and buy a brand new Bison V6 for 44K. I can't buy a Rubicon or a TRD Pro Tacoma for that money.

Boy I wish you could swap out tires. What a shame the big car engineers didnt think of that.

The Gladiator had/has an option for Wildpeak MT’s

I don't like the rear shock mount location on the Chevy. Every other truck has the shocks mounted close to the wheel to avoid hanging up on rocks,etc. I know it's not a huge deal until you rock crawl, but I just believe you want those axles clean and snag free.

You can also run a 35 on a stock Glad.

Your only con for the Tacoma was the tires which is something that can always be changed for something better

I have a 2014 taco T-Force and I rally the crap out of it. Trails slow speed and high haven't been any trouble at all.

Just got a Gladiator Rubicon. Didn't know the tires would sling rocks at the doors and scratch them up.

I Just got one ZR2 :D Coolest Truck in the World. When I look away from MPG....I just LOVE My ZR2.

It'll be interesting to see this comparison again when the Ranger Raptor comes out!

New tires for the taco is a lot cheaper than Lift for the bison and the resell on the taco is a lot better

No need for the Made in Canada badge, that 'zed' makes it pretty clear. Great video!

Just the video I wanted. Idk how I didnt see it uploaded a week ago

You are producing great videos. I would pick the Colorado because the Tacoma engine is too weak on low range and is a hindrance. Both need a V8. But soon We will have the Rivian R1T. Im waiting for that or the Bollinger, maybe Atlas. But 500 Lbs is a lot of extra weight plus the low ground clearance. I really dont like any of them.

Agreed, I'm not a Chevy fan but front locker & more power was the push for me.

I would still take a Toyota any day. I’m driving a 12-year old FJ and my wife drives a 13-year old RAV4 V6. They really feel outdated now but they still run great. The FJ I’m surely keeping but we’re planning on getting a TRD Pro 4Runner or a GX to replace the RAV4 when it dies. But the RAV4 has only 230K on it so it might be a while before we get a new Toyota.

I'd get the Chevy as well

Jeep is really messing up with not offering the gladiator in a 2 door variant. The 2 door jl has a wheelbase approximately 20 inches (or about 50 cm) shorter than the 4 door. If we assume there would be the same approximate difference in length, that would put a 2 door JT at a shorter wheelbase than the 4 door jl, hitting a sweet spot between stability on road and on steep inclines/declines and better angles to climb over rocks, ruts or whatever else. Plus it would shave the weight down by atleast 100lbs (45 kgs).

Why doesn't the jeep Rubicon not come with mud tires anymore?

You should have tried the Mojave it’s more for a high speed off-roading the rubicon is a rock crawler

So is it a ZR2 or a ZedR2

I will buy that Bronco, Idk about your (Zed) R 2 but that's about to be replaced by the 2021 Silverado ZR2

I wonder if Jeep will ever come out with a short(er) wheel base, single-cab or extra-cab configuration?

I guess you could say we have brand loyalty. My wife has a jeep wrangler unlimited Rubicon, and I have a jeep gladiator rubicon

Pretty sure Zed was left with Marcellus Wallace many yrs ago...pliers, blowtorch, midevil stuff.

My money would have to go to the one that has the lowest price, best power delivery, best tuning potential, best trans, and can lock the rear any time. Throw a (preferably good) leveling kit, a $500 tuner and decent tires on a Ranger FX4 to get one of the cheapest, most well rounded, and most powerful off roaders of the bunch.

When will you run a Ranger FX4 thru the Hydro line? These are my favorite videos.

FYI...Zr2 is the only one that can lock the rear in 4HI...and you can lock the rear in 2wd in off-road mode. The Ranger can also lock the rear in 2wd,4HI,4LO. That’s the only two current midsize trucks that can do so I know of.

Yea but can you take the the and doors of and have good looks in the Colorado and the Tacoma? 🤔

Lol have fun replacing ball joints in the Chevy.. also why no rock crawling? That's more of a challenge them some mud. I wanna see big boulders and technical lines

I put the wildpeaks on my trd pro 🙌

IMO gladiator w/3" lift, bilstien shocks, 37" tires 👌

When they introduced the gladiator they said it would be able to use the rear locker outside 4LO wonder what changed.

: Without solid front and rear axles, it's not much good off road for articulation. Maybe dirt roads and flat ground is your thing, but for more rougher terrain other than dirt roads, the Jeep Rubicon's, like the Power Wagon with their solid axles are the only way to go. IFS just doesn't work well in situations other than dirt roads or flat ground, unless their lower swing arms are build like a true off road race truck, from the center of the chassis which allows for a longer suspension travel. These trucks are good for just the average off-roader, but fall way short of being truly capable with IFS, unless their built like the Ford Raptor's IFS system.

I like the normal ZR2 better. Dont need all that armor unless you're Roman or Nathan going straight down the ass-scratcher in Moab.

The ZR2 looks so composed at speed. Great suspension makes for a fun truck.

You might as well buy the Tacoma. I'm willing to bet it's more made in America then the Colorado. I like the gladiator but it definitely needs a small lift and 37s

Have a 19 zr2. Use it off-road every second week for work, all gravel/muddy roads. Thought it would be great w the suspension and lockers. Major engineering fails found after 10k km. Rocks can get in behind rear fender liners and beat themselves against the sheet metal denting it from the inside out. Both rear shocks have blown from mud eating seals, no rear protection. Many other things wrong so far and have only 24000km on it. Very disappointed so far.

Who goes off roading stock tires?

ZR2 rear door entry is terrible. Pity any rear seat passengers. Gladiator rear door entry is acceptable. Have not sat in the the Toyota.

I chose…manual Gladiator Rubicon. Love mine.

Wish they did a more realistic test, 90 percent of us aren’t spending 50K on a midsize, I definitely like this match up as the best you can get from these company’s but it’d be nice to see a Z71 Colorado vs a TRD OR Tacoma, VS a FX4 ranger, VS a Sahara(or similar trim) gladiator. You know the vehicles most are buying, the off-road models, just saying, most folks I think would rather see a show down (on/off-road) of the trim levels most of us can afford or are willing to pay for.

Next time you see a NAPA parts runner vehicle take a look at which truck they went with.