In the midsize pickup truck segment, shoppers have little to chew on when it comes to hybrid powertrains. The 2026 Jeep Gladiator doesn’t offer one, and while Stellantis was planning to eventually introduce its 4xe plug-in hybrid system in its truck, it instead decided to take it off the market completely.
At least the Gladiator has several perks to make it stand out in its category, which will is poised to grow in the coming years. Its current competition includes the Chevrolet Colorado, the Ford Ranger, the GMC Canyon, the Honda Ridgeline, the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. The Ridgeline will take a sabbatical after the 2026 model year in order to receive an overhaul and, if rumours are true, a hybrid V6 powertrain.
In addition, the Ram Dakota for the Canadian and U.S. markets is in the pipeline, as are midsize pickups from Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi, while Volkswagen is reportedly considering one as well. At the moment, the Toyota Tacoma dominates with 41% of segment sales in Canada, while the Gladiator picks up only 4.5%.
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator is available in a slew of trim levels and special editions. The lineup includes Sport S, Willys, Nighthawk, Rubicon, Mojave, Rubicon X and Mojave X, and let’s not forget the limited-run 85th Anniversary Edition, Sarge, Shadow Ops, Whitecap, Rockslide, Rewind and Willys ’41 variants. They are all equipped with Stellantis’ naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 engine, which develops 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Three four-wheel drive systems are also available, all featuring a low range for serious off-road driving. The Command-Trac drivetrain includes a transfer case and is fitted as standard on the Sport S, Willys, Nighthawk, Mojave and Mojave X, while the full-time Selec-Trac system is optional on the Mojave and Mojave X. The part-time or full-time Rock-Trac system is included in the Rubicon and Rubicon X.
Is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Fuel Efficient?
Aside from an automatic stop/start system, the Gladiator isn’t armed to save fuel. Stellantis obviously didn’t include the vehicle’s drag coefficient on its spec sheet, but we can easily figure that this pickup truck is about as aerodynamic as a shipping container, especially if we start adding accessories such as off-road lights or a winch, for example.
Here’s the Gladiator’s fuel economy ratings, which runs fine on regular 87-octane fuel:
| Powertrain | City/Highway/Combined (L/100 km) | CO2 Emissions (g/km) |
| 3.6L V6 | 13.7 / 10.8 / 12.4 | 291 |
It’s hard to believe that variants equipped with all-terrain tires and knobby mud-terrain tires all boast the same fuel consumption numbers, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter. During our summer test of the Gladiator Willys ’41, shod with meaty Firestone Destination M/T2 tires designed for rough terrain, we managed to observe an average of… 12.4 L/100 km. The automaker’s figures are credible.
How does the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Compare to its Rivals?
Let’s run some specs between the Gladiator, the Chevrolet Colorado, the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma:
| Specifications |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jeep Gladiator | 2026 Chevrolet Colorado | 2026 Ford Ranger | 2026 Toyota Tacoma | |
| All-Inclusive Pricing | $52,890 to $84,865 | $42,998 to $79,703 | $46,065 to $84,915 | $51,824 to $88,256 |
| Propulsion Systems | 3.6L V6 | Turbo 2.7L I4 | Turbo 2.3L I4 Twin-Turbo 2.7L V6 Twin-Turbo 3.0L V6 | Turbo 2.4L I4 Turbo 2.4L I4 HEV |
| Drivetrains | 4WD | 2WD, 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Output (hp) | 285 | 310 | 270 to 405 | 228 to 326 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 260 | 430 | 310 to 430 | 243 to 465 |
| City/Highway/Combined (L/100 km) | 12.4 | 11.1 to 14.9 | 11.2 to 14.0 | 10.1 to 11.9 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3,487 | 3,337 | 3,270 | 3,350 to 3,685 |
| Length (mm) | 5,539 | 5,402 to 5,416 | 5,350 to 5,357 | 5,411 to 5,744 |
| Width (mm) | 1,875 | 1,903 to 1,983 | 2,007 | 1,954 to 1,980 |
| Height (mm) | 1,857 to 1,933 | 2,001 to 2,078 | 1,890 to 1,927 | 1,875 to 1,895 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 254 to 294 | 201 to 273 | 235 to 272 | 272 to 279 |
| Headroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,036 to 1,087 / 1,036 to 1,087 | 996 to 1,023 / 972 | 1,041 / 974 | 965 to 1,008 / 975 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,038 / 966 | 1,147 / 881 | 1,097 / 879 | 1,062 / 856 |
| Max Towing Capacity (kg) | 2,721 to 3,493 | 2,495 to 3,493 | 2,499 to 3,402 | 2,722 to 2,903 |
| Max Payload (kg) | 464 to 780 | 594 to 776 | 640 to 764 | 640 to 730 |
The Tacoma is the most frugal of the segment, thanks to its 326-horsepower hybrid powertrain and its combined rating of 10.1 L/100 km. The Ranger and Ridgeline follow behind, while the Colorado, Canyon, Frontier and Gladiator soak up about the same amount of fuel. The guzzlers in the group are the Colorado ZR2, the Canyon AT4X and the Ranger Raptor. In short, some are more efficient than the Jeep, some are worse.
The Gladiator stands out by its unique design. Like the Jeep Wrangler, and unlike the other pickup trucks on the market, its body is modular in the sense that we can pull off the doors, flip back the roof or remove it completely, and even fold down the windshield for a full-on open-air driving experience. The truck’s floor is washable, though we must remove the carpeting and pop out the drain plugs beforehand. For off-roading and enjoying the outdoors, it’s an undeniable choice.
Is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Fun to Drive?
While its off-road capabilities are among the best in the segment, even in base trim, the on-road experience isn’t as enjoyable. The Jeep is the complete opposite of the Honda Ridgeline, the latter being much more refined for the daily commute, but with much lighter recreational capabilities. It all depends on our needs and our wish to live our life as a perpetual adventure.
The off-road suspension and all-terrain tires also make the pickup less comfortable and noisier, but that’s to be expected. The truck’s shape, the removable doors and the safety cage also contribute to reduce its everyday practicality, at least compared to its rivals. This despite boasting generous interior dimensions.
On the other hand, Jeep or off-road vehicle enthusiasts will say that all this is part of the truck’s charm, and they’re right.
We’ll also note that half of the segment players are equipped with four-cylinder engines, while the Gladiator, the Ranger (optional), the Ridgeline and the Frontier still offer V6 engines. Six-cylinder powerplants are generally smoother, with a more satisfying sound than the turbocharged four-pots. And Jeep’s 3.6L V6 has proved its overall reliability over time.
Inside, the dashboard design is utilitarian and functional, while the materials used were chosen for durability over a luxurious appearance. The infotainment system is easy to use, with a left-side column of button zones to quickly access the interface’s main features. The climate controls are also easy to manipulate while driving, with hard buttons and rotary dials. We can even install a hard top for winter, or a soft top for the summer, the latter allowing us to drive with our hair in the wind after a using a little grease to flip it open, or tools to remove it.
Is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Affordable?
Average. It’s offered from $52,890, which includes the $2,195 freight and delivery charges and the $100 A/C tax, while a Rubicon X can cost up to about $85,000 with the two tops and all factory-installed options.
In comparison, the 4WD Colorado and the Ranger are available under the $50,000 mark, in work truck-focused trim, but their loaded off-road variants are expensive. For the rest, we need to dish out more than $50,000 and the Gladiator ranks average in this regard. We must obviously leave some room in the budget to eventually replace those all-terrain tires, even if we never leave the beaten path.
The Gladiator’s model lineup is quite exhaustive, there’s a wide and cheery selection of paint colors to choose from, and a bunch of accessories are available to customise our truck. As for the Willys ’41 variant we tested, its base price is set at $62,995.
In a Nutshell, is the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Worth It?
To answer that question, we must consider what we’re planning on doing with the vehicle. Are we interested in joining the Jeep fraternity and heading off road on the weekend, like Wrangler owners, but without sacrificing the versatility of a pickup truck? In that case, the Gladiator was made for us.
On the other hand, and arguably, the Jeep isn’t equipped with the most capable four-wheel drivetrain for snowy and icy roads, while its cabin isn’t the most comfortable for the daily drive, nor the most practical. If we’re looking for a midsize pickup, but aren’t interested in hitting the weeds or go rock-hopping, it’s not the ideal choice.
And finally, for the environmental aspect, if we were hoping to get a Gladiator with a hybrid powertrain, we’ll have to continue waiting.
