2026 Jeep Gladiator Review

Meet the 2026 Jeep Gladiator in Punta Gorda, FL

Shop the 2026 Jeep Gladiator in Punta Gorda, FL, at Gettel Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. The Gladiator stands out in the midsize pickup segment with Jeep trail hardware, removable roof panels, a fold-down windshield, a usable bed, and a standard 4×4 layout across the gas lineup. That mix makes it feel more adventurous than many traditional pickups and more useful than many off-road SUVs.

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator trim lineup includes Sport, Sport S, Willys, Willys ’41, Sahara, Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, Mojave X, 85th Anniversary Edition, and Shadow Ops.

Highlights include:

• Removable roof and open-air driving design
• 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
• Four-wheel drive
• Five-foot truck bed with 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space
• Maximum towing capacity up to 7,700 pounds
• Available leather seating and dual-zone automatic climate control

Compared with rivals like the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, the Gladiator leans harder into open-air freedom and Jeep-style trail capability.

Interior Features and Comfort

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator cabin is practical first, but it does not feel stripped down. Every gas trim seats five and includes a split-folding rear bench, adjustable front head restraints, foldable rear head restraints, front and rear reading lights, and front and rear beverage holders. Also standard is power front and rear windows, remote keyless entry, power door locks with two-stage unlock, a locking glove box, a full floor console, and driver and passenger door bins. Front-seat layouts vary by trim, but the standard setup includes a six-way manual driver seat with manual recline, height adjustment, fore/aft adjustment, and manual lumbar support, plus a four-way manual front passenger seat.

Comfort moves up as you climb the lineup. Sport, Sport S, and Willys models use manual air conditioning, cloth seating, carpet front and rear floor mats, carpet floor trim, urethane steering wheel trim on lower grades, and light window tint. Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, and Mojave X add automatic climate control, dual-zone front climate settings, deep window tint, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a 120-volt interior power outlet. Mojave upgrades to premium cloth, while Rubicon X and Mojave X move to leather seating. Leatherette steering wheel trim appears on upper off-road trims as well.

Interior dimensions include:

• Front legroom: 41.2 inches
• Rear legroom: 38.3 inches
• Front and rear headroom: 42.8 inches
• Front hip room: 53.9 inches
• Rear hip room: 55.9 inches
• Front and rear shoulder room: 55.7 inches

Families will also appreciate front height-adjustable seat belts, rear child safety locks, and curtain airbags for the first and second rows.

Exterior Design and Utility

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator looks exactly like a Jeep pickup should. It has a squared-off body, a tall stance, a regular bed, a tailgate, and the kind of upright proportions that make it easy to place on a trail or in traffic. The body uses galvanized steel and aluminum; every model has four doors, and the truck keeps its open-air Jeep character with a manual convertible-style roof setup.

Lighting and exterior trim depend heavily on grade. Sport, Sport S, and Willys use halogen headlamps with delay-off headlamps and front fog lights. Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, and Mojave X upgrade to LED low- and high-beam headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED front fog lights, LED brake lights, and automatic on/off exterior light control. Lower trims use manual mirrors, while upper trims add power remote heated mirrors. Front and rear bumpers are black across the listed trims, and the grille is body color with colored accents.

Available exterior paint colors include the following:

• Bright White
• Black
• Granite Crystal Metallic
• Hydro Blue
• Mojito

Other available colors in the lineup include Anvil, Reign, and the heritage-inspired ’41 finish. The Willys ’41 trim name also signals a more vintage-themed approach within the Gladiator range. Wheel and tire setups vary by trim, too. Sport rides on 17-inch styled steel wheels with all-season tires. Sport S uses 17-inch aluminum wheels, Willys runs 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires, Rubicon uses 17-inch machined aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires, Mojave uses 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires, and the X models keep 17-inch aluminum hardware with more premium trim positioning.

Performance, Capability, and Off-Road Hardware

Every gas-powered 2026 Jeep Gladiator in the supplied model data uses the same engine, and it is a familiar one for Jeep shoppers: a 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 making 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It runs on regular unleaded fuel and pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift control. Four-wheel drive is standard, which is a major selling point for drivers who want confidence on sand, mud, trails, or stormy Florida roads. EPA estimates are 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined across the listed gas trims.

Capability changes by trim. Sport and Sport S are rated to tow up to 4,500 pounds, with a 5,800-pound gross vehicle weight rating, 1,025-pound payload capacity, and 9,650-pound gross combined weight rating. Willys steps up to a 6,000-pound towing rating, a 5,950-pound GVWR, a 1,025-pound payload rating, and an 11,150-pound GCWR. Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, and Mojave X top the supplied chart at 7,700 pounds of towing capacity, 1,720 pounds of payload, a 6,250-pound GVWR, and a 12,850-pound GCWR.

Exterior length is 218 inches, wheelbase is 137.3 inches, and the bed measures 60.3 inches long with 35.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. Pickup box width ranges from 44.8 inches minimum to 56.8 inches maximum, and bed depth is 33.9 inches. Turning radius lands at either 22.3 or 22.4 feet, depending on trim. Tire choices also show the Gladiator’s intent. Sport and Sport S use all-season rubber, while Willys, Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, and Mojave X move to all-terrain tires for stronger off-pavement grip.

Technology Features

Tech features available across the gas lineup include:

• AM/FM and satellite radio
• Wireless phone connectivity
• Voice-activated audio control
• Steering-wheel audio controls
• 12.3-inch standard display, with dual-screen setups on higher trims

Upper trims also add integrated navigation with voice activation on Rubicon X and Mojave X. The Gladiator also includes a driver information center, digital clock, compass, trip computer, exterior temperature display, engine hour meter, maintenance reminder, low-fuel warning, tire-specific low tire pressure warning, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, voltmeter, and engine temperature gauge.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Key standard safety features include:

• Driver and front passenger front-impact airbags
• Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front occupants
• Overhead curtain airbags for first and second rows
• Front passenger occupancy detection system
• Side-impact door beams for added structural protection
• Front and rear seatbelt pretensioners
• Height-adjustable front seatbelts
• Manual rear child safety locks

The Gladiator also includes essential active safety systems designed to maintain control and stability in varied driving conditions:

• Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist
• Traction control with ABS and driveline integration
• Electronic stability control with anti-rollover mitigation
• Tire-specific low tire pressure monitoring system

Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus is standard across trims, providing automatic braking support in certain frontal impact scenarios. Higher trims, such as Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, and Mojave X upgrade to Advanced Brake Assist, which enhances stopping response by anticipating driver input.

Overall, the Gladiator prioritizes proven mechanical safety systems and foundational driver-assist features, with incremental upgrades on higher trims focused on braking performance and vehicle security.

Test-Drive the 2026 Jeep Gladiator at Gettel Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator gives Punta Gorda drivers something most trucks cannot: real pickup capability with unmistakable Jeep character. At Gettel Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Punta Gorda, FL, you can compare trims, check out colors, and find the Gladiator that fits your weekend plans and daily routine. Contact our team today to schedule a test drive. If you are also exploring electrified Jeep options, ask us about the latest lineup when you visit.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.

* All fuel economy mpg listings in the content above are EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary.