2026 Jeep Gladiator Buyer's Guide | Jay Malone CDJR
The 2026 Jeep® Gladiator is a midsize 4x4 pickup with a five-foot steel bed, and it is the only open-air pickup in the industry with a removable roof and doors. Jeep offers it in twelve models for 2026, from Sport to Mojave X, and every one uses the 3.6L Pentastar® V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
I’m Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone CDJR in Hutchinson, MN. This guide covers what is new for 2026, how the trims differ, what the Gladiator can tow and haul, how the Rubicon and Mojave compare, and which tops and tech you can get. Every spec comes from Jeep’s own 2026 materials. For a year-round overview of the Gladiator at our dealership, visit our Jeep Gladiator dealer page.
In this guide
What’s new for the 2026 Jeep Gladiator?
For 2026, the Gladiator gets quicker tool-free door removal, a Sahara trim for the first time, the new Willys ’41 and 85th Anniversary Edition models, and new colors including Reign.
- Quick-release door hinges: a new hinge system makes taking the doors off quicker and easier, with no tools required.
- Sahara joins the lineup: the Sahara nameplate comes to the Gladiator for the first time, with a body-color three-piece hardtop and leather-trimmed heated seats.
- Willys ’41: a military-inspired model that pays tribute to the Kaiser Jeep M715 truck.
- 85th Anniversary Edition: celebrates 85 years of Jeep with Steel Oxide wheels, Blue Agave badging and plaid interior details.
- Sport S: now offers optional aggressive all-terrain tires.
- New colors: Reign is available on the Gladiator for the first time, and Goldilocks arrives later in the model year. The full 2026 palette is Anvil, Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Hydro Blue, Mojito, ’41, Reign and Goldilocks.
- Convoy limited editions: Jeep’s Convoy program adds limited-run Gladiators through the year, including Shadow Ops, Whitecap, Rockslide and Rewind. Looking ahead, read about the 2027 Gladiator Sarge.
What are all the 2026 Jeep Gladiator trims?
Jeep offers twelve 2026 Gladiator models. Every one is a 4x4 with the 3.6L V6 and eight-speed automatic, so the differences come down to off-road hardware, tops, interior and styling.
| Trim | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| Sport | The starting point of the lineup. Like every 2026 Gladiator, it is a 4x4 with the 3.6L Pentastar® V6 and an eight-speed automatic. |
| Sport S | New for 2026: optional aggressive all-terrain tires. Jeep lists the Gladiator’s 1,720-lb maximum payload and 7,700-lb maximum towing on Sport S models. |
| Willys | A heritage-badged trim in the core lineup. Ask us for the current equipment list on the trucks we have in stock. |
| 85th Anniversary Edition | Steel Oxide wheels, bronze tow hooks, Blue Agave decals and badges, plaid seat inserts with an 85th logo seat tag, plaid mid-bolster wrap and Berber floor mats. Offered in Black, White and Granite Crystal. |
| Sahara | New to the Gladiator lineup for 2026. Body-color three-piece hardtop and fender flares, 18-inch aluminum wheels, McKinley leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, LED headlamps and fog lamps, and remote start. |
| Willys ’41 | A tribute to the Kaiser Jeep M715 military truck: ’41 Green paint and 17-inch body-color wheels, performance hood with retro decal, steel front and rear bumpers, Mopar® triple hoop grille guard and 32-inch Bridgestone® mud-terrain tires. |
| Rewind | A retro special edition with 17-inch machined wheels with gold pockets, bronze tow hooks and badges, a body-color hardtop, hood and fender decals, unique seats and Iced Blue and Plum interior accents. |
| Rubicon | The rock crawler. Rock-Trac® heavy-duty part-time 4x4 with a segment-exclusive 4:1 transfer case, steel rock rails, 33-inch all-terrain tires and Amazon Alexa Built-in standard. |
| Mojave | The desert runner and Desert Rated®. FOX® 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs, front FOX hydraulic jounce bumpers, reinforced frame and axles, 33-inch all-terrain tires and up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance. |
| Shadow Ops | Built on Rubicon. The first midsize pickup with a factory-installed winch, plus steel front and rear bumpers, a Satin Black grille, dark hood and fender decals, trailer tow and auxiliary switches, and slush mats. |
| Rubicon X | The top of the Rubicon family, with a body-color hardtop. |
| Mojave X | The top of the Mojave family. Desert Rated, with a body-color hardtop. |
For a closer look at how to choose between them, read our 2026 Gladiator trim levels guide.
What engine and transmission does the 2026 Gladiator use?
Every 2026 Gladiator uses the 3.6L Pentastar V6, rated at 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The V6 is the only engine for 2026, so there is no engine decision to make. What changes from trim to trim is the 4x4 system. Jeep offers four advanced 4x4 systems on the 2026 Gladiator: Command-Trac®, Rock-Trac® in part-time and full-time versions, and Selec-Trac®.
- Rubicon: Rock-Trac heavy-duty part-time 4x4 comes standard, with a segment-exclusive 4:1 transfer case for slow, controlled crawling.
- Mojave: Command-Trac part-time 4x4 is standard, and full-time Selec-Trac is available.
- Built tough underneath: Jeep lists segment-exclusive heavy-duty Dana® 44 solid front and rear axles and standard forged tow hooks, two in front and one in back.
How much can the 2026 Jeep Gladiator tow and haul?
When properly equipped, the 2026 Gladiator tows up to 7,700 pounds and carries up to 1,720 pounds of payload. Jeep says no other vehicle in its class has more gas towing.
Jeep lists both maximums on Sport S models, and ratings vary by configuration. Trailer Sway Control comes on the 2026 Gladiator: when it senses the trailer starting to sway, it brakes individual wheels to straighten things out. The ParkView® rear camera shows dynamic gridlines, and an available 4x trailer hitch zoom makes it easier to line up your hitch.
For Hutchinson and McLeod County owners, that covers a lot of real use: fishing boats out of town for the weekend, snowmobile trailers, UTVs and small campers. Our 2026 Gladiator towing and bed guide walks through how to size a trailer for your truck.
How off-road capable is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator?
Every Gladiator is Trail Rated®, with up to 44.7 degrees of approach angle, 20.9 degrees of breakover, 26 degrees of departure, up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance and up to 31.5 inches of water fording.
Beyond that shared base, the Gladiator splits into two very different off-road personalities.
Rubicon: the rock crawler
Rubicon is built for slow, technical terrain. It comes standard with Rock-Trac 4x4 and its 4:1 transfer case, steel rock rails that protect the cab and box, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Across the lineup, Jeep also offers a sway bar disconnect for more front-wheel articulation, steel skid plates over the fuel tank and transfer case, Off-Road+ to tune throttle, shift points and traction control, and the TrailCam off-road camera.
Mojave: the desert runner
Mojave and Mojave X carry the Desert Rated® badge, and Mojave is the only Jeep Brand vehicle to earn it. It adds a reinforced frame and axles, strengthened iron steering knuckles and a desert-tuned suspension with FOX® aluminum-bodied 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs. Segment-exclusive front FOX hydraulic jounce bumpers help prevent bottoming out. It also has 33-inch all-terrain tires and up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance, the highest of any Gladiator. Its Tru-Lok® electronic locking rear differential can be locked in 4HI for higher-speed use.
Here in central Minnesota, the choice usually comes down to how you drive. Slow trails, woods and cabin roads favor the Rubicon. Fast gravel and rough back roads are where the Mojave’s suspension shines. Our Rubicon vs Mojave comparison breaks down the choice.
How big is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator bed?
The 2026 Gladiator bed is 60.3 inches long with the tailgate closed and 56.8 inches wide, built as a rugged steel box with integrated tie-downs and an easy-lift tailgate.
The available Cargo Group with Trail Rail™ System adds a 115-volt outlet, a secure mounting system, a roll-up tonneau cover, lockable rear-seat storage and a removable under-seat storage bin you can take with you. The full-size spare tire rides underneath the bed, behind the rear axle. The Gladiator is 218 inches long on a 137.3-inch wheelbase, and it can be flat-towed behind an appropriately sized vehicle.
What top and door options does the 2026 Gladiator offer?
The Gladiator has a fold-down windshield, removable doors with new tool-free quick-release hinges, and a choice of soft top and three-piece hardtop configurations.
- Zipperless Sunrider® soft top: a premium soft top for easy open-air driving
- Black Freedom Top® three-piece hardtop
- Body-color Freedom Top three-piece hardtop: standard on Sahara, Rubicon X and Mojave X
- Zipperless Sunrider for Hardtop
Top availability depends on the trim. Our technology, safety and tops guide goes deeper on which tops make sense for Minnesota seasons.
What technology and safety features come on the 2026 Gladiator?
Every 2026 Gladiator comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Jeep says no other vehicle in its class has a larger standard touchscreen.
- Seven charging ports: four USB and three USB-C, the most in the Gladiator’s class according to Jeep
- Jeep Connect: with an active subscription, the app handles Vehicle Finder, Vehicle Health Report, Send & Go and remote lock, unlock and engine start
- Amazon Alexa Built-in: standard on Rubicon and Mojave models
- Cold-weather comfort: automatic temperature control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are available
- Removable speaker: an available weatherproof, dust-resistant Bluetooth® speaker
For safety, Jeep lists more than 85 standard and available safety and security features on the 2026 Gladiator. They include a high-strength steel chassis, front and rear side-curtain airbags and the ParkView rear back-up camera. Also available: Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection and ParkSense® Rear Park Assist.
Inside, Jeep lists best-in-class rear seat legroom at 38.3 inches and best-in-class front and rear headroom at 42.8 inches. The 60/40-split rear bench seats up to three, and heated 12-way power front seats with Nappa leather are available.
Should I buy a Gladiator or a Wrangler?
If you need a real pickup bed, the Gladiator is the Jeep for you. If you do not need a bed, the Wrangler is worth a test drive too.
The Gladiator shares its boxy, seven-slot-grille look and open-air freedom with the Wrangler family. What it adds is the five-foot steel bed, 7,700 pounds of maximum towing and 1,720 pounds of maximum payload. Our Gladiator vs Wrangler comparison walks through real Minnesota use cases, from farm and lake life to hunting and daily driving.
Key Takeaways: 2026 Jeep Gladiator
- Twelve models, from Sport to Mojave X, all 4x4
- 3.6L Pentastar V6: 285 hp and 260 lb-ft, eight-speed automatic only
- Up to 7,700 lb towing and 1,720 lb payload, properly equipped
- Bed: 60.3 in long (tailgate closed) x 56.8 in wide, steel construction
- Up to 11.6 in ground clearance and 31.5 in water fording
- 12.3-inch touchscreen standard, plus seven USB and USB-C ports
- New for 2026: Sahara, Willys ’41, 85th Anniversary Edition, tool-free door hinges, Reign paint
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 Jeep Gladiator
How many trims does the 2026 Jeep Gladiator have?
Jeep lists twelve 2026 Gladiator models: Sport, Sport S, Willys, 85th Anniversary Edition, Sahara, Willys ’41, Rewind, Rubicon, Mojave, Shadow Ops, Rubicon X and Mojave X. Every one is a 4x4 with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Does the 2026 Jeep Gladiator come with a manual transmission?
No. For 2026, the Gladiator’s 3.6L Pentastar V6 is paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
How much can the 2026 Jeep Gladiator tow?
The 2026 Gladiator tows up to 7,700 pounds and carries up to 1,720 pounds of payload when properly equipped. Jeep lists both maximums on Sport S models. Ratings vary by configuration, so check the label on your specific truck before you hook up a trailer.
Is the Jeep Gladiator good in Minnesota winters?
Every 2026 Gladiator is a 4x4, and available cold-weather features include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and automatic temperature control. With the Jeep Connect app and an active subscription, you can also start the engine remotely on properly equipped trucks. For winter, many central Minnesota drivers prefer a three-piece hardtop, which comes standard on Sahara, Rubicon X and Mojave X.
What is the difference between the 2026 Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave?
Rubicon is the rock crawler, with Rock-Trac 4x4 and a 4:1 transfer case, steel rock rails and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Mojave is the desert runner and the only Jeep Brand vehicle with the Desert Rated badge, with FOX internal bypass shocks, FOX hydraulic jounce bumpers, a reinforced frame and up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance. Both come standard with 33-inch all-terrain tires.
Can I order a 2026 Gladiator if Jay Malone CDJR does not have the one I want?
Yes. If the trim, color or top you want is not on our lot in Hutchinson, we will track one down or help you place a factory order, and we never charge extra to locate or factory order a vehicle. Call (320) 587-4748 to get started.
Is Jay Malone CDJR in Hutchinson, Minnesota or Hutchinson, Kansas?
Jay Malone CDJR is in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at 1165 Highway 7 West in McLeod County, west of the Twin Cities. We are not connected to any dealership in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Buying a Gladiator at Jay Malone CDJR in Hutchinson means working with a family business, not a big-box store. The Malone family has owned and operated Jay Malone CDJR since 2005, on a Highway 7 West corner that has been home to a Hutchinson dealership since 1980. In 2026, Hutchinson voted us Best Place to Buy a Vehicle, along with Best Auto Mechanic, Best Place to Buy Tires, Best Auto Body Shop, Best Customer Service and Best Employer. We help drivers from Litchfield, Glencoe, Dassel, Cokato, Silver Lake, Winsted and across central Minnesota find the right truck, with no pressure and no fee to locate or factory order a vehicle.
Last reviewed November 2026. Specs are from Jeep and Stellantis 2026 Gladiator materials; features and availability vary by trim and can change. Confirm equipment on a specific vehicle with our team.
About the Author
I’m Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN. I was named to the CBT News 40 Under 40, Class of 2026 and was the Hutchinson Area Chamber’s 2025 Young Leader of the Year. I’m proud to be part of the family business my dad Jay took over in 2005, and to serve the community I grew up in through the Hutchinson Ambassadors and the Chamber of Commerce. If you have questions about the 2026 Gladiator, reach out and I’d love to help.