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2026 Jeep Gladiator review

Stewart Kunze11 hours ago

14 minutes read

The2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubiconis a bit of an outlier – hard to pin into any traditional category.

Forget what you think you know about the ultimate Aussie dual-cab. This 4×4 ute might boast off-road prowess and a five-seat cabin, plus a handy tub, but it’s not the first name on everyone’s lips when practicality meets adventure. For a decade, the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger have reigned supreme, with the Isuzu D-Max nipping at their heels, capturing the hearts (and garages) of Aussie drivers.

Compared to the surprisingly civilized demeanor of its rivals, the Gladiator feels like a wild beast unleashed. Forget plush carpets and whisper-quiet cabins; this is a machine built for adventure, roof panels optional.

The Jeep Gladiator and I? Let’s just say it’s complicated. My first encounter involved a dramatic, roadside breakdown an hour into ownership, the automotive equivalent of a first date gone horribly wrong. But then, there was the redemption arc: sun-drenched summer days, roof peeled back, the scent of freedom (and melting ice cream) filling the air. That Gladiator was a dream, a perfect companion for chasing sunsets and making memories. It’s a love-hate relationship, I suppose, with the emphasis sometimes shifting wildly from one to the other.

The Jeep Gladiator’s Australian adventure takes a sharp turn! Forget choices – the 2024 lineup slashes down to just one formidable contender: the Rubicon. While Jeep throws in extra goodies and trims the price tag, a twist awaits. With the Night Eagle gone, getting your hands on a Gladiator now demands a bolder investment.

WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

Spotting the 2024 Gladiator’s facelift? Good luck. The changes are subtler than a desert mirage. Gone is the old-school aerial, now sleekly integrated into the windshield. Body-colored fender flares add a touch of sophistication, while fresh 17-inch alloy wheels complete the barely-there makeover.

Inside, the Gladiator leaps into the modern age. Say goodbye to the familiar 8.4-inch screen; a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, powered by Stellantis’s cutting-edge infotainment system, now dominates the dashboard – a serious upgrade mirroring the Wrangler’s recent tech infusion.

Jeep hasn’t just given the exterior a facelift; they’ve been battling the buzzkills on the inside too. Expect a noticeably quieter and smoother ride, thanks to under-the-skin upgrades designed to silence noise, tame vibration, and generally dial down the harshness.

Aussie petrolheads, brace yourselves for disappointment. Dreams of a plug-in hybrid or a roaring V8 under the hood of the updated Gladiator have been crushed. Childcareman.xyz broke the bad news: neither powertrain will be making its way to right-hand drive markets. Adding insult to injury, Jeep swiftly confirmed the hybrid’s complete demise.

The heart of the beast, a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, thrums with raw, naturally aspirated power. Mated to a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission and a low-range gearbox, this combination eagerly claws its way through challenging terrain.

When the pavement ends, the Jeep truly begins. It’s armed for the untamed: picture this – front and rear locking differentials clawing for traction, a sway bar that willingly disconnects to let the axles articulate like a seasoned rock climber, and Dana 44 solid axles fore and aft, built to withstand the most brutal terrain. This isn’t just an SUV; it’s a passport to adventure.

So, the Gladiator bucks the ute trend. But squint a little… does a different picture emerge?

How much does the Jeep Gladiator cost?

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon? Prepare for a pleasant surprise. Its price tag starts at $82,990 (before on-road costs). Yes, it’s packed with more gear, but the big news? It’s over $4,000lessthan before. And forget that $70,000 drive-away deal from 2024; this is the real deal.

| Model | Price before on-road costs | | — | — | | 2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon | $82,990 |

The Gladiator Night Eagle, once the gateway to Jeep’s pickup world with a starting price of $78,250 plus on-roads, has vanished. But fear not, bargain hunters! A 2024 promotion offers a silver lining: snagging a Gladiator for a cool $64,000 drive-away.

"Suddenly, the Gladiator Rubicon finds itself in an awkward price-point brawl, toe-to-toe with the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana and breathing down the neck of the ever-popular, fully-loaded Ford Ranger Wildtrak."

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

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"Travis and his crew are rockstars! This is my second time relying on their expertise, and honestly, I wouldn’t trust anyone else. If you’re looking for top-notch service and a team that goes the extra mile, look no further. Seriously, these guys are the real deal."

Craig C.

Purchased a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD

childcareman.xyz helped Craig save $7,224 on his Ford Ranger, now let us save you on your next new car.

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What is the Jeep Gladiator like on the inside?

Getting into a Jeep Gladiator for the first time is always jarring.

Forget everything you think you know about SUVs. This beast rewrites the rules, sharing DNA with the Wrangler but forging its own path. Step inside, and you’re greeted by an unconventional cockpit – a layout that’s part head-scratcher, part stroke of genius, and wholly unforgettable. The devil’s in the details, and the execution? Let’s just say it’s a conversation starter.

Strip away the modern veneer of the Gladiator, and you’ll find a lineage stretching back to the very genesis of four-wheel drive: the US Army’s GP. From that utilitarian workhorse, nicknamed ‘jeep’ in the trenches, a legend was forged. Climb inside a Gladiator, and you might just catch a whisper of that original, uncompromising GP in its DNA.

Forget the cold steel of a World War II dashboard. Slide into the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and sink into Nappa leather embrace, your fingers tracing the soft-touch trim. It’s a world away from wartime austerity.

Once the initial "ergonomic quirks" become familiar, the cabin’s true quality shines. Forget flimsy plastics; this interior boasts materials that feel genuinely upscale. The switchgear operates with a satisfying click, a testament to the build quality. Honestly, for a Stellantis vehicle, the rock-solid construction is a pleasant surprise, exceeding expectations and deserving far more praise than it receives.

The real surprise? Uconnect 5. Forget clunky, laggy infotainment systems. This is intuitive design at its finest. Wireless CarPlay connects seamlessly and, paired with the razor-sharp display and a perfectly placed hand rest, navigating is genuinelyenjoyable. That is, until you hit a tollbooth. Then, prepare for a brief, yet infuriating, audio blackout – a temporary glitch in an otherwise flawless experience.

However, shift into reverse, and prepare for a light show – the number plate illumination blasts the camera, obscuring your view. And in this day and age, the absence of wireless smartphone charging feels like a glaring omission. A perplexing blend of hits and misses, indeed.

The Gladiator’s cockpit offers a refreshing anachronism in our increasingly digital world. While many $80,000+ vehicles boast fully digital dashboards, the Gladiator, like its Wrangler sibling, stubbornly sticks to analogue gauges. Call me old-fashioned, but there’s a certain charm to watching those needles sweep. And thankfully, Jeep has finally banished the distracting miles-per-hour markings from the speedometer in this latest iteration – a welcome change for us metric-loving Australians.

Jeep lets you pop the doors off – a bold move! So where do the window controls go? Smack-dab in the center. Seems logical, right? But here’s the head-scratcher: doors gone, sky’s the limit… why even bother rolling down nonexistent windows? Australia might not love doorless driving on public roads, but the mystery remains.

Jeep thoughtfully includes a set of auxiliary switches, empowering owners to command aftermarket accessories like winches and spotlights with seamless integration.

The Gladiator’s cabin whispers luxury, a carefully curated space of tactile delights – until your fingers meet the indicator stalk. It’s an insult, a hollow, plasticky ghost haunting an otherwise premium interior. Did the design team stage a material mutiny? One can only imagine the boardroom battle where someone, inexplicably, championed this flimsy appendage, a constant reminder of cost-cutting in a car brimming with thoughtful touches. It’s baffling, almost infuriating.

The backseat isn’t your personal VIP lounge, but two friends can comfortably squeeze in for that spontaneous beach trip.

The Gladiator’s "tub" is a puzzling compromise. Stretching to 1524mm, it teases a proper truck bed, only to fall short with a shallow 444mm depth and a mere 1137mm between the wheel wells. Is it a tub? Is it a tray? The real question is: does it deliver the strengths of either?

But here’s the rub: its payload maxes out at a mere 693kg. Throw in a couple of adults, a full tank of gas, and suddenly you’re bumping against its limit.

Having said that, there’s a spray-in bedliner, a Trail Rail adjustable tie-down system, fixed anchor points, and lighting.

Spot a "419" stamped into the Gladiator’s tub? That’s no random number. It’s a wink from Jeep, one of many hidden "Easter eggs" sprinkled throughout the vehicle. This particular code? It’s a nod to Toledo, Ohio – the 419 area code and the very city where your Gladiator roars to life. Consider it a hometown hero’s subtle signature.

| Dimensions | Jeep Gladiator Rubicon | | — | — | |Length| 5591mm | |Width| 1894mm | |Height| 1909mm | |Wheelbase| 3488mm |

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Beneath the hood lies a beating heart: a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6, unleashing 209kW and 347Nm of raw power. Mated to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, complete with low-range gearing, this powertrain stands ready to conquer any terrain.

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

How does the Jeep Gladiator drive?

This is where things start to get a bit tricky.

Forget the hype. Compared to the Ford Ranger, the Gladiator feels like driving a vintage tractor. The steering’s vague, the suspension bounces you around like a rodeo clown, and that V6? It sounds like it’s perpetually struggling for breath.

Forget the Gladiator as a pavement princess. See it for what it truly is: a rugged, four-wheeled workhorse unleashed from the Jeep stable. Suddenly, its quirks transform into character, its size becomes an advantage. Jeep hasn’t just built a truck; they’ve cleverly domesticated a wild animal, making its raw power surprisingly accessible for daily life.

Forget polite comparisons. The Gladiator isn’t playing the same game as its rivals. While they’re tiptoeing around obstacles, the Gladiator’s flexing with heavy-duty axles front and rear, gripping the earth with aggressive 32-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. It’s built for a purpose, a no-nonsense commitment that might mean sacrificing a little comfort, but gains you unmatched capability.

Initially, the Jeep Gladiator felt like a misstep, a collection of compromises I silently berated. But then, something clicked. Like a stubborn lock finally yielding, the Gladiator’s purpose, its very essence, began to reveal itself.

Most Jeep Gladiator buyers face a brutal truth: its road-trip comfort is often criticized. Forget smooth rides; these folks might bash the Gladiator around a crackling campfire, singing praises to their own trucks.

For a select few, the Jeep isn’t just an SUV; it’s a beast tamed, a rugged off-road conqueror reluctantly sharing the asphalt.

That V6 may feel like it’s a generation or two old, but it still has power when you need it.

Forget the brochure. That claimed 12.4L/100km? In the real world, guzzling through city streets, it drank closer to 14.1L/100km. Surprisingly, after a solid two-hour highway stint, it only sipped a marginally better 12.8L/100km.

Yes, the suspension isn’t exactly silky smooth, but think "rugged comfort" rather than "bone-jarring." It shrugs off serious bumps with a nonchalant ease. Forget chasing lap times on the ‘Ring; this beast is built to conquer landscapes where the biggest threat is a boulder field, not a hairpin turn. It’s about crawling over mountains, not carving corners.

From scaling treacherous rock faces to a simple dash for milk, it’s ready for anything.

Let’s be real: expecting razor-sharp cornering from a ladder-frame ute with Dana axles is like expecting a rhino to win the Kentucky Derby. Handling isn’t exactly its forte. Craving that precision? Head to a BMW or Porsche dealership instead.

The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t just handle off-road, it devours it. At Holden’s old proving grounds in Lang Lang, we unleashed the Gladiator. Picture this: a ridiculously steep hill, all loose gravel and attitude. The Gladiator? Scaled it like a mountain goat on caffeine. Then came the moguls – obstacles designed to twist lesser vehicles into submission. The Gladiator just articulated, a mechanical ballet of suspension and traction. Finally, a water hazard. Most trucks would hesitate. The Gladiator? Plunged through, unfazed, leaving nothing but a wake and a grin on our faces. This isn’t just off-roading; it’s Jeep territory.

The world turned a muffled green as I plunged beneath the surface, a chilling realization piercing through the initial panic: the engine was screaming. Trapped, submerged, and with my foot clamped on the brake, the tachometer needle stubbornly clung to 4000 rpm, a mechanical death cry echoing in my watery coffin.

For a heart-stopping moment, panic flared. The recalcitrant low-range stubbornly refused to bite, the brand-new transmission demanding a brutal initiation. A forceful shove, a metallicclunkas 4Lo finally locked, and the machine surged forward, tearing through the watery obstacle with unflinching resolve. The far bank arrived without ceremony, the crisis already a fading memory.

Forget parallel parking nightmares; the real test came atop "Triangle Peak." With its 3488mm wheelbase, the crest became a slow-motion crunch, a sound I’m convinced was a one-off acoustic anomaly, never to be repeated.

The Jeep Gladiator whispers a secret: "I was born for 37s." Its factory stance and stretched wheelbase are a riddle wrapped in off-road intent, a puzzle only solved with oversized mud-slingers and a skyward lift. Did Jeep deliberately design this truck as a blank canvas, betting every owner would unlock its true potential with aftermarket mastery?

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And that’s often the path owners take in the US.

Think twice before slapping on those beefy tires! In Australia, nearly every state and territory slams the brakes on significant tire diameter increases. Go beyond a subtle lift, and you’re staring down the barrel of engineering certifications and professional mod plate installations.

Think your car’s invincible? Think again. Ignore the rules of the road, and you’re not just risking a fine. You’re flirting with disaster: cancelled insurance, revoked registration, or that dreaded defect notice slapped right on your windshield, giving you seven days to save your ride.

The Gladiator: a Jekyll and Hyde machine. On pavement, it’s a compromise. Off-road? A champion. Did those on-road quirks sour the experience? Not even close. The Gladiator’s got a secret weapon: irresistible personality. More on that in a moment.

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

What do you get?

Imagine this: Sun-drenched beach, roaring bonfire, and the pulsing beat of your favorite tunes. Now picture the Gladiator Rubicon, fully equipped for that ultimate adventure. Forget upgrades; the Lifestyle Adventure Group is now standard. We’re talking a rugged spray-in bedliner ready for anything, auxiliary switches begging for aftermarket lights, and the genius Trail Rail system to secure your gear. Lockable under-seat storage keeps valuables safe, while a beefy 240-amp alternator powers all your gadgets. But the real showstopper? A portable Bluetooth speaker, ready to crank up the volume and turn any spot into an instant party. The Gladiator Rubicon: Adventure redefined.

2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon equipment highlights:

17-inch alloy wheels
32-inch off-road tyres
LED headlights
Automatic high-beam
Body-colour fender flares
Gorilla glass windscreen
Rock-Trac four-wheel drive
Three skid plates
Proximity entry with push-button start
12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
12-way power-adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar
Heated front seats
Nappa leather upholstery
Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
Lockable under-seat storage
Wireless Bluetooth speaker
240-amp alternator
Auxiliary switch bank
Spray-in bedliner
Trail rail system
Tie-down points
Under-rail lighting
Power outlet

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

Is the Jeep Gladiator safe?

The Jeep Gladiator: a three-star safety rating from ANCAP in 2019, borrowed from its Wrangler cousin’s Euro NCAP score, is cruising toward its expiration date in December 2025. But with ever-tightening safety standards, will this rating still hold water?

Standard safety equipment includes:

Adaptive cruise control
Autonomous emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Reversing camera
Front and rear parking sensors
Dual front airbags
Dual front-side airbags
Curtain airbags
Rear seat reminder
Tyre pressure monitoring

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

How much does the Jeep Gladiator cost to run?

Worried about unexpected servicing costs? Jeep’s got you covered. Lock in your peace of mind with capped-price servicing across the entire range! For the first five services, you’ll pay a flat $399 each – that’s just $1995 to keep your Jeep running smoothly for the first five years. Adventurers take note: if you’re piloting a Gladiator, remember to schedule a check-up every 12 months or 12,000 kilometers, whichever adventure comes first.

Jeep Gladiator’s factory warranty? Think five years or 100,000km. Disappointed? You should be. It’s a sprint in a warranty marathon. Only Tesla’s paltry four years/80,000km offering comes close to feeling this short-changed.

To see how the Jeep Gladiator lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with the Jeep Gladiator.

"It’s a beautiful mess. Imperfect, yes, but like a rescue pup whose mismatched ears and clumsy paws only amplify its charm, its flaws are precisely what steal your heart."

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is agricultural and flawed in similar ways, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most desirable vehicles on sale. Maybe Jeep needs to make the Gladiator $250,000. Then there’s the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, which comes with even less kit and costs about the same.

The Jeep Gladiator won’t reveal its secrets in a fleeting 20-minute test drive. It demands a courtship, a slow dance of discovery before its true character shines. Our typical scoring system? It barely scratches the surface of what this beast is truly capable of.

The Gladiator, in its charmingly blunt way, claws at your affections. After a week wrestling with the retina-searing, Hulk-green beast, I was unexpectedly smitten with the audacious absurdity of it all.

That tractor. The doors, heavy enough to seal a tomb, slammed shut with a satisfying, industrialthunkthat echoed across the fields. The seat, molded for some alien anatomy, forced me into a posture that screamed "spinal injury." And the engine? It wheezed like a chain-smoker climbing Mount Everest. Yet, despite it all – the quirks, the discomfort, the sheer agricultural absurdity – I fell for the old beast. Every rutted row, every sun-drenched harvest, it became a part of me. Everything, that is, except for that damn indicator. A flickering betrayal of reliability in a symphony of charming flaws.

For most people, there are better options out there. Cheaper, more comfortable, better dynamics, more tech – but short of a LandCruiser GR Sport or an Ineos Grenadier, there are probably very few vehicles on sale today that would get as deep into the bush as the Gladiator without a long list of modifications.

With the classic Land Rover Defender now replaced by a modern SUV and the G-Class Professional long gone, the Gladiator feels like one of the last of the charming, boxy, hardcore off-roaders left in the world. And it’s a flippin’ convertible, too.

The Jeep Gladiator is that wonderfully unhinged partner you love despite yourself. Prepare for a lifetime of justifications, explanations, and heartfelt apologies to loved ones bewildered by your choice. But for those defiant souls who shun the mundane and crave a dash of vintage grit in their modern ride, this Jeep might just be your perfect brand of crazy.

childcareman.xyz can save you thousands on a new Jeep Gladiator. Clickhereto get a great deal.

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Thanks for reading 2026 Jeep Gladiator review

How much does the Jeep Gladiator cost?

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What is the Jeep Gladiator like on the inside?

What’s under the bonnet?

How does the Jeep Gladiator drive?

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What do you get?

Is the Jeep Gladiator safe?

How much does the Jeep Gladiator cost to run?

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

Stewart Kunze

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