Compare the2026 Jeep GladiatorVS 2026 Nissan Frontier

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Gladiator. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Frontier. Four-wheel drive of any type costs extra on the Frontier.

Both the Gladiator and the Frontier have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Gladiator is safer than the Nissan Frontier:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Gladiator’s warranty.

The Gladiator has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the Frontier 4x4’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Gladiator has a standard 240-amp alternator. The Frontier’s 185-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Gladiator has a standard 700-amp battery. The Frontier’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Gladiator’s reliability 23 points higher than the Frontier.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Gladiator first among midsize pickups in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Frontier was rated third.

As tested in Car and Driver the Jeep Gladiator is faster than the Nissan Frontier:

On the EPA test cycle the Gladiator gets better mileage than the Frontier:

The Gladiator has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Frontier (22 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Gladiator higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Frontier (5). This means the Gladiator produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Frontier every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Gladiator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Frontier:

The Gladiator stops much shorter than the Frontier:

For better traction, the Gladiator Rubicon/Mojave’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Frontier (285/70R17 vs. 265/70R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Gladiator has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Frontier S.

The Gladiator has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Frontier’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Gladiator has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Gladiator flat and controlled during cornering. The Frontier King Cab suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Gladiator Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Frontier doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Gladiator uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Frontier, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Gladiator’s wheelbase is 11.3 inches longer than on the Frontier Crew Cab (137.3 inches vs. 126 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Gladiator is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Frontier.

The Gladiator Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Frontier LWB SV Crew Cab 4x4 (28.5 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Gladiator has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Frontier Crew Cab (102.9 vs. 100.1).

A low lift-over bed design makes loading and unloading the Gladiator easier. The Gladiator’s bed lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Frontier King Cab’s liftover is 32 inches. The Frontier Crew Cab’s liftover is 33.4 inches.

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Frontier is limited to 7150 pounds. The Gladiator offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Gladiator can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Gladiator can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Frontier can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Gladiator has a much higher optional payload capacity than the Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 (1720 vs. 1330 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Gladiator and the Frontier have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Gladiator is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Frontier prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Gladiator’s front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Frontier’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

The Gladiator’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Frontier’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Gladiator has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Frontier King Cab doesn’t offer rear vents.

Both the Gladiator and the Frontier offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Gladiator has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Frontier Crew Cab doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Jeep Gladiator retains 64.62% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 60.44% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Frontier after five years, which can save the Jeep’s owner.

The Gladiator was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2020. The Frontier has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Gladiator as the 2020 North American Truck of the Year. The Frontier has never been chosen.