I Drove the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro & Jeep Gladiator Mojave X, Which One is Best? Here’s My Brutally Honest Review

I Drove the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro & Jeep Gladiator Mojave X, Which One is Best? Here’s My Brutally Honest Review originally appeared on Autoblog.

These two are made to get dirty

Sure, vehicles like the Ford F-150 Raptor or Ram 1500 RHO may dominate the desert in brute force and size, but midsize pickups often have a major advantage: maneuverability and lighter weight.

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That's where the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Jeep Gladiator Mojave X come in. They are smaller and lighter than a full-size truck, yet they are remarkably capable with their high-grade suspension systems, beefy tires, and outstanding 4x4 systems. Both are specifically built for soft sand, dirt roads, and canyon blasting performance. They can still rock crawl, and they have excellent deep mud capability, but both vehicles have been tuned for the Sahara rather than the Rubicon. Let’s dig into what makes these desert runners tick, and which one might deserve your key fob.

2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro - MSRP: $64,135

2025 Toyota TacomaToyota

Powertrain & tech

Engine: 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid (i-FORCE MAX)

Power: 326 hp | 465 lb-ft of torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Drivetrain: Part-time 4WD, 2-speed transfer case

MPG (est.): 23 city / 24 highway

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Suspension & off-road hardware

Fox QS3 three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks with remote reservoirs

Rear FOX IFP bump stops

Disconnecting front sway bar

Multi-Terrain Select: Sand, Mud, Rock, Snow, Auto

Crawl Control + Hill Descent Control

Rear locking diff

Toyota

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Daily use & driving impressions

Toyota finally made the Tacoma friendly for full-size adults. At 6'1" and 260+ lbs, I fit comfortably, which wasn’t the case in older models. The cabin is solid, tech-heavy with a 14" touchscreen and 12.3" digital cluster, and built for modern life. The interior design is modern, macho, and very well laid out, but it feels a bit cheap for a $60K + vehicle.

Toyota went to town with the color choices, wheel design, and tires for the Tacoma TRD Pro. They also have an overlanding version known as the Trail Hunter, which is built for every terrain, at slower speeds. They both look super aggressive, and almost imposing with their armor and garnish.

On the pavement, it’s quiet and smooth. Push it, and the hybrid drivetrain delivers torque like a small diesel, though the engine note is more drone than roar. But in the dirt? It's phenomenal. The Fox QS3 suspension is desert magic, absorbing hits and keeping the truck composed even at speed. From California to Colorado, it proved to be an off-road weapon.

2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X - MSRP: $61,100

2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave XJeep

Powertrain & tech

Engine: 3.6L V6 (Pentastar)

Power: 285 hp | 260 lb-ft of torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Drivetrain: Command-Trac part-time 4WD

MPG: 17 city / 22 highway

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Suspension & off-road hardware

Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks w/ remote reservoirs

Fox hydraulic jounce bumpers

Heavy-duty Dana 44 axles (4.10 gears)

Off-Road+ Mode

Rear locking diff

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Daily use & driving impressions

The Gladiator Mojave X is a wild mix of off-road military machine and plush adventure toy. It feels taller and more commanding than most midsize trucks, and that 12.3-inch horizontal touchscreen running Uconnect 5 is one of the best in the business. The ride is surprisingly composed, but the long 137.3" wheelbase makes tight urban driving feel more like piloting a tugboat. Still, it adds to the unique Jeep flavor—this isn’t just a truck, it’s an experience.

Thanks to a few additions, like the meaty 33-inch tires, graphics, and garnish, the Jeep Gladiator Mojave X certainly makes a case for itself. Rather than use a splash of color on my tester, Jeep kept the palette simple, and the mud color looks epic whether it's clean or dirty. I think it looks even better when the top is completely removed as well.

Off-road, the Gladiator Mojave X is a beast. It lacks the Tacoma’s torque, and yes, it can get hung up due to its length, but that tank-like chassis and Fox bump stops make it a high-speed desert brute with soul. Having the massive amount of articulation from the solid front axle is a huge boon off-road, but it also means less feedback when steering on the streets.

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Final thoughts

If you’re after the most capable, efficient, and polished high-speed off-road midsize, the Tacoma TRD Pro is nearly unbeatable. It’s a serious tool with hybrid power, modern tech, and one of the best suspensions in the segment. But if you're in it for the fun, freedom, and flair, the Jeep Gladiator Mojave X delivers in spades. It may not be the quickest or the most efficient, but every time I climbed into it, I felt like I was stepping into a live-action off-road adventure.

Personally? I'm a sucker for open-air fun and big personality, even if it means sacrificing fuel economy and peak torque. The Mojave X wins my heart, if not the spec sheet. You can pretty much have nearly the same driving experience from much less expensive, lower-trim Gladiators.

I Drove the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro & Jeep Gladiator Mojave X, Which One is Best? Here’s My Brutally Honest Review first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.