Off-road fans were geared up for something big for Jeep’s Gladiator this week—maybe a new powertrain, maybe electrification news, maybe a glimpse at long-term evolution for the Gladiator. Instead, Jeep walked out and delivered a color update and a single special-edition trim. Not exactly the thunderbolt the enthusiast community was hoping for, but Jeep did manage to tuck a few meaningful updates into the 2026 Gladiator lineup.
A Willys Throwback With Real Trail Credentials
The star of the announcement is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Willys ’41, a heritage-themed model inspired by the Kaiser Jeep M715 military truck. Jeep leaned heavily into its roots here, giving the Willys ’41 Olive Drab-painted wheels, a Mojave hood wearing a retro decal, and interior touches mixing Willys ’41 tan seat inserts with Mantis Green bolsters. Steel front and rear bumpers bring true functional toughness to the package, while the Mopar triple-hoop grille guard and mud-terrain tires help ensure the look isn’t just for show.
Jeep claims the model blends military-inspired design with authentic capability—and this time, that claim sticks. The Willys ’41 stands out as the most character-rich Gladiator variant for 2026.
Small Tweaks Across The Lineup
Beyond the new special edition, Jeep made a few platform-wide improvements that may not be headline material but will matter in the real world. The door hinge system has been revised for 2026, making door removal noticeably quicker and easier. Sport S buyers can now option aggressive all-terrain tires, giving budget-minded off-roaders a welcome boost straight from the factory.
Other than that, the trim structure remains the same: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon all return with minimal structural change.
Familiar Power, Proven Capability
Under the hood, the 3.6-liter V6 continues unchanged, producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with the eight-speed automatic transmission. While some fans were hoping for a new power option—or any powertrain news at all—the established V6 remains a reliable fit for the Gladiator’s mix of trail duty and work ability.
Capability numbers remain one of the Gladiator’s strongest calling cards. Towing capacity reaches up to 7,700 pounds with payload up to 1,720 pounds, depending on configuration. The truck continues to offer an impressive maximum crawl ratio of 77:1, backed by four available 4×4 systems: Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and two versions of Rock-Trac. Approach, breakover, and departure angles stay admirably aggressive, while 11.6 inches of ground clearance and 31.5 inches of water fording maintain the Gladiator’s reputation for real-deal off-road competence.
Color Changes Take Center Stage (For Better or Worse)
This is where the announcement may sting for fans who expected more than paint codes. Jeep refreshed the exterior color lineup for 2026, adding two limited-edition hues: Reign and Goldilocks, with Goldilocks arriving later in the model year. They join returning favorites like Anvil, Mojito, Hydro Blue, Granite Crystal, and others, along with the ’41-exclusive shade tied to the Willys special model.
Inside, choices remain limited to Black or Black with Mantis Green, depending on trim. The Willys ’41 again stands as the most visually distinctive of the group.
The 2026 Verdict: Strong Truck, Small Updates
With pricing for the Willys ’41 set at $47,840 before the $1,995 destination fee, Jeep is banking on heritage styling and meaningful-but-modest upgrades to keep Gladiator customers engaged. And to be fair, the formula works—special editions routinely sell out, and the Gladiator remains one of the most capable off-road pickups on the market.
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