Clearly you haven’t played WOW or a Paladin for long.
The Class does work naked, baseline with no gear. It is not broken in any way, shape or form. Don’t lie.
If what you mean it should “out-perform”, then again read the first sentence.
Paladins have ALWAYS been gear dependent. In all 3 specs. Which is why 99% they become among the best classes towards the end of expansions when they hit their stat capps. Every time.