2026 Jeep Gladiator · Trim Levels
Nine core trims plus heritage editions, from the work-ready Sport to the fully loaded Rubicon X. Here is what each one costs, what it adds, and who it fits, so you can pick the right Gladiator before you shop the lot at Jeep Portsmouth.
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator lineup runs from the Sport at about $39,820 to about $61,990 at the top of the range, so the trim decision covers a wide spread of price and purpose. Every trim shares the same core truck: a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with an 8-speed automatic, standard four-wheel drive, a Crew Cab body, a five-foot steel bed, and the removable doors and roof that define the Gladiator. What separates the trims is off-road hardware, comfort content, and tow readiness. We stock the lineup across the Seacoast, and this page breaks down each trim in depth, lays them out in a side-by-side matrix, and finishes with a value verdict and a buyer's guide. For the broader picture, start with the Gladiator Research Hub.
All prices are starting MSRP and exclude the $1,995 destination charge. Base Sport starts at $39,820, or about $41,815 delivered with destination. Pricing is approximate, reflects mid-2026 figures, and is subject to change; confirm current pricing with our team or the Jeep Build & Price tool.
At a Glance
Trim by Trim
Shared across every trim: 3.6L V6, 8-speed automatic, standard 4x4, Crew Cab, five-foot steel bed, removable doors and roof. The notes below cover what each trim adds.
The Sport is the entry point and the lightest on convenience content. Standard equipment includes 17-inch steel wheels, 32-inch all-season tires, solid front and rear axles, part-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, underbody skid plates, tow hooks, a three-position tailgate, and a Class II hitch receiver. Inside you still get the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth seats, and a removable soft top. It is the simplest starting point if you want core capability and plan to add features selectively. Who it's for: buyers who want the lowest price of entry or a straightforward work truck.
The Sport S is the volume trim and, for most shoppers, the smarter starting point. Over the Sport it adds forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, a feature the base trim lacks, along with a wider set of options including 18-inch wheels and, new for 2026, optional aggressive all-terrain tires. The Max Tow package is available here, which is what unlocks the Gladiator's full tow rating. Who it's for: the broadest range of buyers who want active safety, tow readiness, and room to configure.
The Willys builds on Sport S bones and turns it into a budget off-road tool rather than an appearance package. It adds 32-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, an upgraded rear differential, LED lighting, a Class IV tow hitch receiver, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, programmable auxiliary switches, proximity entry, and Willys badging. It delivers real trail hardware for thousands less than a Rubicon. Who it's for: buyers who want genuine off-road grip and looks without stepping up to Rubicon money.
The Sahara is the notable lineup addition for 2026 and the comfort-forward pick. On top of the Sport S content it adds a body-color hardtop and fender flares, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, and 18-inch wheels on all-season tires. It trades hardcore trail hardware for refinement and all-season manners. Who it's for: daily drivers who want a Gladiator that is comfortable on the commute and still capable.
The Rubicon is the dedicated rock-crawler. It brings 33-inch all-terrain tires, a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case, front and rear locking differentials, an electronic front sway-bar disconnect, rock sliders, added front skid-plate protection, and roughly 11 inches of ground clearance. This is the trim engineered for low-speed technical terrain. Who it's for: buyers who actually crawl rocks, run technical trails, or want the most trail-capable Gladiator out of the box.
The Mojave is the only Desert Rated Gladiator, tuned for speed over sand and washboard rather than crawling. It runs 33-inch all-terrain tires, FOX internal-bypass shocks, a reinforced frame, and the most ground clearance in the lineup at about 11.6 inches. It sits at a similar price to the Rubicon but has the opposite mission. Who it's for: buyers who run open desert, dunes, and high-speed dirt rather than slow rock trails.
The X versions are the fully loaded, single-decision builds of each off-road platform. Rubicon X and Mojave X bundle premium content, tech, safety, upgraded bumpers, and a standard hardtop into one package rather than a long options sheet, layered on top of the Rubicon and Mojave hardware respectively. Who they're for: buyers who want the top off-road trim fully equipped and prefer one box over à la carte ordering.
Jeep layers several limited runs on existing trims for 2026. The Willys '41 (about $48,995) is a military-inspired tribute to the Kaiser Jeep M715 with olive-drab styling, tan cloth, and a steel front bumper. The 85th Anniversary Edition, Rubicon Shadow Ops, and Texas Trail round out the personality lineup. These editions add styling and content but do not change the underlying trim's core capability. Who they're for: buyers who want something rarer than a standard trim.
Side by Side
| Trim | Starting MSRP* | Mission | Key hardware added | Tow (properly equipped) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | $39,820 | Work-truck base | Steel wheels, Class II hitch, soft top | up to ~6,000 lb |
| Sport S | ~$43,015 | Volume / value | Active safety, 18-in option, Max Tow available | up to 7,700 lb with Max Tow |
| Willys | $45,750 | Budget off-road | Mud-terrain tires, rock rails, rear-diff upgrade, Class IV hitch | up to ~7,000 lb |
| Sahara | ~$48,115 | Comfort / daily | Leather, heated seats, body-color hardtop | up to ~7,000 lb |
| Rubicon | ~$52,520 | Rock crawling | Lockers, 4:1 Rock-Trac, sway-bar disconnect | up to ~6,000 lb |
| Mojave | ~$53,215 | Desert / high-speed | FOX shocks, reinforced frame, 11.6-in clearance | up to ~6,000 lb |
| Rubicon X | ~$61,990 | Loaded rock crawler | Rubicon hardware plus premium bundle, hardtop | up to ~6,000 lb |
| Mojave X | ~$61,210 | Loaded desert runner | Mojave hardware plus premium bundle, hardtop | up to ~6,000 lb |
*Starting MSRP, excludes the $1,995 destination charge; approximate mid-2026 figures, subject to change. Tow ratings vary by axle ratio and equipment; the full 7,700-lb rating requires the Max Tow package with the 4.10 axle. See the Towing Capacity guide for details.
Common Comparisons
This is the most common cross-shop, and the roughly $3,200 step is usually worth it. The Sport S adds forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, opens up options the base Sport cannot order, and makes the Max Tow package available. If budget is the only priority, the Sport delivers the same core capability; for almost everyone else, the Sport S is the better foundation.
These two sit at a similar price but do opposite jobs. The Rubicon is built for low-speed rock crawling with locking differentials, a 4:1 transfer case, and a front sway-bar disconnect. The Mojave is Desert Rated for high-speed sand and washboard with FOX bypass shocks and more ground clearance. Neither is an upgrade over the other; pick by terrain. Rock and technical trails point to Rubicon; open desert and speed point to Mojave.
The X versions cost roughly $9,000 more and add no core off-road hardware; the trail capability is the same. What you pay for is a bundle of premium seating, tech, safety content, upgraded bumpers, and a standard hardtop delivered as one package. If you would tick most of those boxes anyway, the X can be the simpler buy; if you only want the off-road hardware, the standard Rubicon or Mojave saves money.
Value Verdict
Sweet spot: Sport S
At about $43,015 it adds the active safety the base lacks, unlocks the Max Tow package, and keeps the most configuration flexibility. It is the trim most buyers should start from.
Easiest to overpay for: the X trims
Rubicon X and Mojave X add about $9,000 of bundled comfort and tech, not capability. Worth it only if you want most of that content; otherwise the standard Rubicon or Mojave is the better value.
What each step up gets you:
Which One Fits You
If value is the priority
Sport S. It is the smart floor for most buyers. Browse Gladiator inventory.
If you tow the most
Sport S with Max Tow reaches the full rating. See the Towing guide.
If you off-road regularly
Rubicon for rocks, Mojave for desert. Hardware details in the Specs guide.
If comfort matters most
Sahara, the new-for-2026 daily driver with leather and a hardtop.
If you want something rare
Willys '41 or the 85th Anniversary Edition.
Shop Local
Jeep Portsmouth stocks the Gladiator lineup for drivers across the Seacoast, from Hampton and Dover to York and Kittery just over the Maine line. The base Sport is often thin on lots, so most in-stock units are Sport S and up; if you have a specific trim in mind, we can locate or order it. Find us at 2355 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or call sales at (603) 431-8900. Check current Gladiator inventory or apply for financing before you visit.
Quick Answers
There are nine core trims: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X, and Mojave X, plus limited editions such as the Willys '41, 85th Anniversary, Rubicon Shadow Ops, and Texas Trail layered on existing trims.
The Gladiator Sport is the base trim, starting at about $39,820 plus the $1,995 destination charge. Most units on dealer lots are Sport S and up.
Yes. Every 2026 Gladiator trim uses the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. There is no V8, diesel, or manual for 2026.
A Sport S with the Max Tow package reaches the Gladiator's full 7,700-pound rating when properly equipped. Many other trims top out around 6,000 to 7,000 pounds.
The Rubicon is built for low-speed rock crawling with locking differentials and 4:1 gearing, while the Mojave is Desert Rated for high-speed sand and washboard with FOX bypass shocks. They cost about the same but suit opposite terrain.
The Sahara trim joins for 2026 as a comfort-focused daily driver, and a Willys '41 heritage edition is added. Jeep also introduced an easier door-removal hinge system.
Keep Researching
See which Gladiator trims are in stock now, or apply for financing before you visit.
* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges. A negotiable administration fee, up to $115, may be added to the price of the vehicle.
* Images, prices, and options shown, including vehicle color, trim, options, pricing and other specifications are subject to availability, incentive offerings, current pricing and credit worthiness.