Overview
The Jeep Gladiator is a four-door mid-size pickup truck with five seats. Essentially a long-wheelbase pickup version of Jeep’s popular Wrangler SUV, the Gladiator has similar off-road capability. Power comes from a 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Part-time 4WD is standard, with full-time 4WD optional.
A wide range of trims and appearance packages allow plenty of personalization, including the rock-crawling Rubicon and high-speed desert-running Mojave. With its removable top and doors, pickup bed and stellar off-road capability, the Gladiator is in something of a class of its own, but mid-size pickup truck rivals include the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
What’s New for 2026
A new Willys ’41 trim pays homage to Jeep’s military history, with special olive-drab paint, 17-inch olive-drab-painted wheels (designed to look like vintage steel wheels), a grill guard, off-road tires and more. All Gladiators get revised door hinges to facilitate easier door removal. A plug-in hybrid 4xe Gladiator had been planned to join the line, but that version has been canceled.
Comparison With Rivals
Other mid-size pickup trucks offer similar capability on- and off-road when properly equipped, as well as a variety of trims and options for customization. But the Gladiator is the only truck with a removable roof and doors for open-air motoring. That said, closed-top alternatives, including the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger, are more civilized on-road, with better handling, a more comfortable ride and quieter cabins. The Gladiator also gets pricey fast when you start adding options, and its V-6 powertrain is neither particularly fuel-efficient nor refined. If you’re looking for capability and that unique Jeep style, though, the Gladiator is worth a look.
Important Features
Standard features include:
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Two USB ports
- Folding soft top
- Removable doors
- Fold-down windshield
- 17-inch steel wheels
- 32-inch all-season tires
- Underbody skid plates
- Two-speed transfer case
- Tow hooks
- Push-button start
- Eight-speaker audio system
Available features include:
- Three-piece hard top
- Power-adjustable side mirrors
- Limited-slip differential
- Rock rails
- Fox shock absorbers
- 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 7-inch digital instrument cluster
- Navigation
- Ambient interior lighting
- Electronically disconnecting front stabilizer bar
- 1-inch lift kit
- Front-facing off-road camera
Recommendation
If you’re someone who needs a mid-size pickup truck with off-road capability, the Jeep Gladiator should be on your list; if you prefer open-air trucking, the Gladiator is your only choice. Few competitors can match the its off-road and rock-crawling prowess, and its 7,700-pound maximum towing capacity is impressive, but that capability comes at a price: Vague steering, a relatively snug and noisy cabin, and clumsy handling on pavement make the Gladiator feel older and less refined than competitors. A wide variety of trims and packages leaves lots of room for customization, ensuring you can make a Gladiator your own. Just be careful with those options, because they also make the price climb quickly.
