2026 Jeep Gladiator Trims Compared: Sport, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon & Mojave
Every 2026 Jeep Gladiator shares the same 285-horsepower 3.6L Pentastar® V6, the same eight-speed automatic transmission, and standard four-wheel drive. What separates the trims is hardware: which transfer case is bolted under the frame, whether the differentials lock, and how the suspension is tuned.
Here is the short version:
- Sport and Sport S build the foundation — Command-Trac® part-time 4WD, a steel five-foot bed, and the full open-air setup with removable doors and roof.
- Willys adds trail hardware on Sport bones — an antispin (limited-slip) rear differential, protection sill rails, and Off-Road Plus mode.
- Rubicon is the rock crawler — Rock-Trac® 4:1 low-range gearing, Tru-Lok® front and rear electronic lockers, and a disconnecting front sway bar.
- Mojave is the desert runner — FOX internal bypass shocks, hydraulic jounce bumpers, a reinforced frame, and the only Desert Rated® badge Jeep builds.
Which one belongs in your driveway comes down to where you actually drive. Our showroom sits on Auto Center Drive in Ontario, and we stock the lineup for drivers across the Inland Empire, including Corona, Norco, Claremont, Rancho Cucamonga, and Riverside.
What Trim Levels Are Available on the 2026 Gladiator and Which Has the Lowest Starting Price?
The 2026 Gladiator lineup starts with the Sport at $41,815 MSRP and climbs to the fully loaded Mojave X. Eight core trims carry the lineup, with a rotating set of factory special editions layered on top of them.
The Core Lineup
| Trim | Starting MSRP* | Built For | Standard Hardware Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | $41,815* | Lowest entry point, simplest build path | Command-Trac part-time 4WD; 245/75R17 highway-terrain (H/T) tires on 17-inch steel wheels |
| Sport S | $45,010* | The volume trim and the max-tow build | Adds adaptive cruise control, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, remote keyless entry, power-heated mirrors |
| Willys | $47,745* | Budget trail capability | Antispin (limited-slip) rear differential, protection sill rails, Off-Road Plus mode, LT255/75R17C on-/off-road tires |
| Sahara | $50,110* | Everyday comfort — new for 2026 | McKinley leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, body-color three-piece hardtop, 18-inch aluminum wheels |
| Rubicon | $54,515* | Low-speed rock crawling | Rock-Trac 4:1 transfer case, Tru-Lok front and rear lockers, 33-inch all-terrain tires |
| Mojave | $55,210* | High-speed desert running | FOX performance shocks, reinforced frame, Desert Rated badge, 33-inch all-terrain tires |
| Rubicon X | $62,510* | Fully loaded rock crawler | Rubicon hardware plus heated leather seats with 12-way power front adjust, body-color hardtop, steel front bumper, navigation, Alpine premium audio, Safety Group |
| Mojave X | $63,205* | Fully loaded desert runner | Mojave hardware plus heated leather seats with 12-way power front adjust, body-color hardtop, steel front and rear bumpers, navigation, Alpine premium audio, Safety Group |
*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.
Pricing and specifications are current as of August 2026 and are subject to change. Source: Jeep.com.
Factory Special Editions
Beyond the core trims, Jeep layers limited-run editions on existing platforms. These change appearance and equipment, and rarely change core capability:
- Texas Trail — a package that includes the Trailer Tow and Auxiliary Switch Group with a Class IV hitch receiver
- 85th Anniversary Edition — marking Jeep’s 85th year
- Willys ’41 — a military-inspired tribute to the Kaiser Jeep M715, with olive drab wheels and steel bumpers
- Rewind — an eighties-inspired package built on the Willys
- Shadow Ops — a blacked-out Rubicon with a factory winch and heavy-duty steel bumpers
- Whitecap — a heritage two-tone treatment with 1941 graphics
- Rockslide — a blue-themed appearance package on Rubicon and Mojave
Availability on special editions changes through the model year. Call our sales team to confirm what is on the ground before you make the drive.
What Are the Main Differences Between the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave Trims?
The Rubicon and Mojave cost within a thousand dollars of each other and are built for opposite missions. The Rubicon is engineered to crawl slowly and deliberately over rock. The Mojave is engineered to absorb repeated high-speed impacts across sand and washboard. Neither is a better truck — they answer different questions.
Hardware Head to Head
Rubicon — $54,515 MSRP
- Transfer case: Rock-Trac part-time 4WD, 4:1 low range
- Front differential: Tru-Lok electronic locker
- Rear differential: Tru-Lok electronic locker
- Front sway bar: Electronically disconnecting
- Shocks: Red-painted Tenneco performance shocks, front and rear
- Jounce bumpers: Standard
- Chassis: Standard
- Badge: Trail Rated®
Mojave — $55,210 MSRP
- Transfer case: Command-Trac part-time 4WD
- Front differential: Conventional
- Rear differential: Tru-Lok electronic locker
- Front sway bar: Fixed
- Shocks: FOX performance internal bypass with remote reservoirs
- Jounce bumpers: FOX performance hydro jounce bumpers
- Chassis: Reinforced frame, strengthened iron steering knuckles
- Badge: Desert Rated — the only Jeep vehicle that wears it
How That Plays Out
The Rubicon’s 4:1 low range and disconnecting sway bar let the front axle droop into ruts and holes while the driveline turns slowly enough to place each tire deliberately. That is what technical rock trails demand.
The Mojave gives up the front locker and the sway bar disconnect and spends the money on damping instead. The internal bypass shocks resist heat fade over sustained high-speed runs, and the hydraulic jounce bumpers keep the truck from bottoming out hard when it lands. For drivers around Norco, where dirt trails are part of daily life, the Mojave’s bypass valving also makes for a more settled ride on rough pavement.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.
What Safety Tech Comes Standard on Mid-Tier 2026 Gladiator Trims?
Stepping from Sport to Sport S is the single biggest safety upgrade in the lineup. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus both become standard equipment at that step, and they stay standard on Willys, Rubicon, and Mojave.
Standard and Available Driver Assistance
| Feature | Sport | Sport S & Willys | Rubicon & Mojave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop | Available in a package | Standard | Standard |
| Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus | Available in a package | Standard | Standard |
| First- and second-row side-curtain airbags | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| ParkView® Rear Back-Up Camera | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Trailer Sway Damping (within Electronic Stability Control) | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection | Safety Group option | Safety Group option | Safety Group option |
| ParkSense® Rear Park Assist | Safety Group option | Safety Group option | Safety Group option |
The Safety Group is the option box worth knowing about. It bundles Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Path Detection, ParkSense Rear Park Assist, and automatic high-beam headlamp control, and it adds LED taillamps on Sport S and Willys — Rubicon and Mojave already have LED taillamps standard.
Which 2026 Jeep Gladiator Trim Is Easiest to Own Long Term?
The Sport S is the practical answer for most buyers, and the reason is not just price — it is the trim Jeep tunes for maximum work capability.
Why Sport S Earns the Pick
Maximum Capability
With the Max Tow Package, the Sport S reaches the Gladiator’s full 7,700-pound towing rating and up to 1,720 pounds of 4×4 payload — the highest numbers in the lineup.
Simpler Suspension Hardware
The Sport S runs a normal-duty plus suspension with conventional shocks. It skips the electronic sway bar disconnect that comes on the Rubicon and the FOX internal bypass shocks that come on the Mojave.
Highway-Friendly Rubber
The 245/75R17 highway-terrain (H/T) tires wear more slowly and run quieter than the aggressive off-road tires on Willys, Rubicon, and Mojave.
Daily-Driver Equipment
Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, remote keyless entry, power-heated mirrors, and a security alarm all come standard.
Worth knowing: power windows with front one-touch down and speed-sensitive power door locks are standard on every 2026 Gladiator, including the base Sport. The Sport S upgrade is about safety technology and convenience content, not basic power accessories.
Every 2026 Gladiator carries a 36-month/36,000-mile basic limited warranty and a 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, plus Roadside Assistance Service. See Mopar.com for complete warranty details and a copy of the limited warranty, and Mopar.com Roadside Assistance for roadside assistance terms.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Warranty coverage depends on the specific terms of your vehicle’s warranty agreement. Consult your owner’s manual or a qualified legal professional for guidance on your individual situation.
Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Common Questions About 2026 Jeep Gladiator Trims and Capabilities
Do Gladiator trims come with power windows and power door locks standard?
Yes. Power windows with front one-touch down and speed-sensitive power door locks are standard across the entire 2026 Gladiator lineup, including the base Sport. Remote keyless entry, power-heated mirrors, and automatic headlamps are the convenience items that arrive with Sport S and Willys.
What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Gladiator when properly equipped?
The 2026 Gladiator tows up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped, which Jeep lists as unsurpassed among gas midsize pickups. Reaching that number takes the Max Tow Package on a Sport or Sport S, which bundles a 4.10 axle ratio, Dana wide front and rear axles, an antispin rear differential, heavy-duty engine cooling, a Class IV hitch receiver, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,500 pounds. Actual capacity varies by configuration, so check the door-jamb label on the specific truck.
What tires and wheels come on the 2026 Gladiator Sport?
The Sport rides on 245/75R17 highway-terrain (H/T) tires mounted to 17-inch black steel wheels. Willys steps up to LT255/75R17C on-/off-road tires, and Rubicon and Mojave both run 33-inch LT285/70R17C all-terrain tires.
Are the doors easier to remove on the 2026 Gladiator?
Yes. Jeep introduced a new quick-release door hinge system for 2026 designed to make door removal faster and easier.
Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Take the Next Step Toward Your 2026 Jeep Gladiator in Ontario
Choosing between these trims comes down to one question: where does this truck spend its weekends?
- Sport S — if it tows and commutes
- Willys — if it sees dirt but not rock
- Rubicon — for technical trails
- Mojave — for open desert
- Sahara — if the priority is leather and a hardtop
Our team can walk you through the hardware differences in person, demonstrate the door and roof removal, and set up a test drive that fits your schedule. If you are trading in, get a number on your current vehicle first so you can build a real budget. You can also apply for financing before you arrive, and explore more Jeep model research when you are comparing across the lineup.