2026 Jeep Gladiator: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The most important 2026 Gladiator change is revised door-hinge hardware that makes the doors quicker and easier to remove. This is a targeted update rather than a redesign, with the other notable differences centered on the trim lineup.
About the 2026 Jeep Gladiator
1st generation (introduced for 2020), post-2024 refresh; targeted update year
Jeep positions the Gladiator as an open-air midsize pickup that combines Wrangler-style trail ability with a five-foot cargo bed and useful towing capacity. Its defining appeal is the mix of removable-body freedom, standard 4WD, solid-axle durability, and specialized off-road trims. It serves owners who want a truck for work, recreation, and difficult trails without giving up the distinctive upright design and outdoor experience associated with Jeep.
Sport remains the straightforward open-air pickup, with a five-foot bed, removable doors, a folding windshield, standard 4WD, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The new Sahara emphasizes daily comfort with leather-trimmed heated seats, while Rubicon and Mojave remain the specialized rock-crawling and desert-running models. Shadow Ops stands out with a factory-installed winch and steel bumpers.
What changed, by category
2026 Jeep Gladiator specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | ||
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | ||
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | ||
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp | 285 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb | 7700 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||||||
| Automatic Headlights | ||||||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||||||
| Top View Camera | ||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||||||||||
| Power Mirrors | ||||||||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||||||||
| Side Steps | ||||||||||||
| Tow Hooks | ||||||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||||||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator a redesign?
No. The 2026 Jeep Gladiator is a targeted update within the first generation, following the larger 2024 refresh. Its basic body, V6 engine, automatic transmission, 4WD system, and 12.3-inch touchscreen carry over.
How did the removable doors change on the 2026 Jeep Gladiator?
The 2026 Gladiator has revised door-hinge hardware that makes removing the doors quicker and easier. The new hinge design applies across the model range.
Which Jeep Gladiator trims were added or dropped for 2026?
Four trims join the 2026 Gladiator lineup: 85th Anniversary Edition, Sahara, Shadow Ops, and Willys '41. Big Bear, High Tide, and Nighthawk are dropped.
Did the 2026 Jeep Gladiator get a new engine or transmission?
No. Every 2026 Gladiator retains the 3.6-liter V6, eight-speed automatic transmission, and 4WD. There is no lineup-wide powertrain change for this model year.
What is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Shadow Ops?
The 2026 Shadow Ops is a new Rubicon-based special edition built around trail recovery. It combines a factory-installed winch and steel front and rear bumpers with locking front and rear differentials, low-range 4WD, and a disconnecting front stabilizer bar for greater wheel movement on uneven ground.