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The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is a little bit of an outlier – onerous to pin into any conventional class.
Whereas it’s an off-road dual-cab 4×4 ute, it’s not essentially the go-to for individuals who desire a automobile with the practicality of a five-seater, the cargo capability of a bath, and one thing that has four-wheel drive credentials. For a decade, Aussies have turned to the Toyota HiLux,Ford Ranger, and, to a lesser extent, the Isuzu D-Max.
However drive any of these fashions back-to-back with the Gladiator, and the Jeep comes throughout as a completely completely different species. And never simply because it’s a targa-top.
I’ve had a chequered historical past with the Gladiator. The primary one I drove, a few years in the past, went into limp-home mode about an hour after leaving town. However one other I had was a delight, with fond reminiscences of getting ice cream with the roof off, performing flawlessly over these summer season holidays.
Jeep’s taken a knife to the Gladiator lineup in Australia, decreasing the up to date mannequin to a single variant – the beforehand range-topping Rubicon – whereas including tools and dropping its value. However that also means the price of entry right into a Gladiator has risen, with the entry-level Evening Eagle now axed.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator
Regardless of a revised front-end, you’d be hard-pressed to select the up to date Gladiator out over the earlier model. Different minor modifications embody the aerial being deleted (it’s now embedded within the windscreen), colour-coded fender flares, and new 17-inch alloy wheels.
The most important change is inside, the place – as with the associated Wrangler – the 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen has now been swapped for an even bigger 12.3-inch unit, full with the corporate’s newest working system.
Jeep additionally says enhancements have been made underneath the pores and skin to cut back NVH – trade communicate for noise, vibration, and harshness.
Hopes of Australians accessing both the plug-in hybrid or V8 engine within the up to date Gladiator have been dashed, with CarExpert just lately reporting neither powertrain can be engineered for right-hand drive markets. Then, mere days later, Jeep confirmed it was killing the plug-in hybrid model completely.
Which leaves us with the three.6-litre non-turbo V6 petrol engine, known as the ‘Pentastar’, and an eight-speed automated transmission with low-range gearing for these venturing into the bush.
So far as off-road credentials go, the Jeep ticks plenty of packing containers. Entrance and rear locking differentials, sway-bar disconnection, and Dana 44 strong axles at each ends.
However the query stays: if the Gladiator doesn’t match into the standard dual-cab 4×4 ute phase, does it make sense by means of a distinct lens?
How a lot does the Jeep Gladiator value?
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is priced from $82,990 earlier than on-road prices, which is greater than $4000 cheaper than it was earlier than, regardless of having extra tools… and ignoring the $70,000 drive-away promotion introduced in mid-2024.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon | $82,990 |
Gone is the entry-level Gladiator Evening Eagle, which patrons might beforehand purchase from $78,250 earlier than on-roads. However the identical 2024 promotion meant patrons might seize one for simply $64,000 drive-away.
All of which suggests the Gladiator Rubicon is now the identical value as a Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana and isn’t far off the favored and well-spec’d Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
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What’s the Jeep Gladiator like on the within?
Getting right into a Jeep Gladiator for the primary time is at all times jarring.
As beforehand alluded to, the automobile is not like the rest available on the market (except the Wrangler, on which it’s based mostly). The ergonomics are unusual, the cabin format is exclusive, and the execution is a combined bag.
On an extended sufficient timeline, the Gladiator can hint its roots again to the primary mass-produced four-wheel drive automobile – the US Military GP. The ‘GP’ was ultimately nicknamed the ‘jeep’ by troopers, and the corporate was born. It looks like the inside nonetheless takes its inspiration from that authentic GP.
However whereas these in World Conflict II needed to endure a dashboard made out of pressed metal, it’s fortunately a lot nicer in a 2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, with the addition of a soft-touch trimmed sprint and Nappa leather-lined seats.
After the shock of the ergonomics fades away, you quickly realise the inside is definitely fairly nicely completed. The standard of the supplies is spectacular and the switchgear all feels premium, with the entire cabin screwed collectively to a normal that isn’t talked about sufficient for a Stellantis product (the father or mother firm of Jeep).
Additionally stunning is the brand new Uconnect 5 interface, which is among the nicest infotainment working techniques I’ve utilized in current reminiscence. The wi-fi Apple CarPlay works nicely, and matched with the high-definition display screen and just a little ledge to regular your hand on, it’s frankly a pleasure to make use of – apart from when the music cuts out whereas passing underneath toll gantries.
However put the automotive in reverse, and also you’re met with a picture of the quantity plate lights shining straight into the digital camera. It additionally misses out on a wi-fi smartphone charger. Combined bag, like I stated.
Then there are the gauges. Whereas the Gladiator is now one of many final new vehicles on sale in Australia priced above $80,000 with analogue gauges – together with its sibling, the Wrangler – I’m glad to see Jeep has lastly eliminated the addition of miles-per-hour from the speedo for the up to date mannequin.
With the doorways capable of be eliminated (although not legally on public roads in Australia), Jeep places the electrical window buttons on the centre stack. However why you’ll nonetheless must decrease the home windows when the doorways are off, I’m unsure.
Jeep has additionally included a financial institution of auxiliary buttons, which the proprietor can use to manage issues like a winch or spotlights.
Maybe my largest gripe with the Gladiator is the indicator stalk, which seems like the most cost effective hole plastic recognized to man. I can’t conceive of the one who insisted on the high-quality supplies used all through the cabin, then permitted of this merchandise, which is a continuing touchpoint… Astonishing.
Room for rear-seat passengers isn’t precisely a luxurious expertise, however there’s sufficient room again there for a few adults to leap in on the best way to a seaside get together.
The bathtub is one more oddball function of the Gladiator. Whereas fairly lengthy at 1524mm, it’s comparatively shallow at 444mm, with simply 1137mm between the wheel-arches. So it’s someplace between a bath and a tray, with out the advantages of both.
Then there’s the automobile’s complete payload, which is restricted to simply 693kg. Add a few passengers and a tank of gasoline and that quantity rapidly drops.
Having stated that, there’s a spray-in bedliner, a Path Rail adjustable tie-down system, mounted anchor factors, and lighting.
If you happen to’re questioning concerning the 419 stamped into the bathtub, it’s one of many many so-called ‘Easter eggs’ hidden across the ute, and refers back to the space code for Toledo, Ohio – town during which the Gladiator is constructed.
| Dimensions | Jeep Gladiator Rubicon |
|---|---|
| Size | 5591mm |
| Width | 1894mm |
| Peak | 1909mm |
| Wheelbase | 3488mm |
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
As talked about, the only choice is a 3.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol V6, placing out 209kW of energy and 347Nm of torque, and matched to an eight-speed automated transmission with low-range.
| Specs | Jeep Gladiator Rubicon |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6L naturally aspirated petrol V6 |
| Energy | 209kW @ 6400rpm |
| Torque | 347Nm @ 4100rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto |
| Drive sort | 4WD |
| Gas financial system (claimed) | 12.4L/100km |
| Gas financial system (as examined) | 14.1L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 278g/km |
| Gas tank | 83L |
| Weight | 2242kg |
| Payload | 693kg |
| Braked towing capability | 2721kg |
| Gross automobile mass (GVM) | 2935kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 5656kg |
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How does the Jeep Gladiator drive?
That is the place issues begin to get a bit tough.
From a new-car perspective – evaluating it to the likes of the phase chief, the Ford Ranger – the Gladiator drives poorly, with distant steering, unrefined suspension, and a wheezy petrol V6.
However change your method and are available on the Gladiator as an off-road workhorse, and also you realise Jeep has executed a fairly good job of taming the beast and making it approachable for the on a regular basis.
Whereas there’s no getting across the comparisons that can be made to its equally priced friends, the actual fact is the Gladiator has heavy-duty strong axles entrance and rear, and runs aggressive 32-inch all-terrain tyres from BFGoodrich. It’s been designed to do a job, and naturally meaning compromises elsewhere.
The primary day or two with the Jeep, I scoffed and muttered about its shortcomings. Then my angle started to shift, and slowly the Gladiator started to make much more sense.
For some patrons – maybe the bulk – the Jeep Gladiator’s on-road manners are unforgivable, and so they’ll cry foul of the American ute across the campfire whereas speaking up the most effective factors of no matter ute they really bought.
However for a small quantity of people that have a distinct set of priorities, the Jeep is a hardcore off-roader that has been made usable for the highway.
That V6 could really feel prefer it’s a era or two outdated, but it surely nonetheless has energy whenever you want it.
For the document, its claimed gasoline consumption of 12.4L/100km was nearer to 14.1L/100km round city – then dropped to 12.8L/100km after a two-hour freeway drive.
So is the suspension truly unrefined? Sure, but it surely’s comfy sufficient, and may soak up some massive whacks with out singing and dance about it. This isn’t a automotive for racing on the Nurburgring – it’s meant to get you over a giant pile of rocks with out breaking or getting caught.
The purpose is, it might probably get you over that rockpile in the future, then get you all the way down to the retailers to seize some milk the following.
Dealing with must be thought of with the identical method. It is a ladder-frame ute with Dana axles – if you would like dealing with, purchase a BMW or Porsche.
Off-road is the place the Jeep shines. We took the Gladiator to Holden’s former check facility at Lang Lang, the place it climbed a steep, unfastened hill with out breaking a sweat, articulated simply over some moguls, and pulled itself by means of a water pool with out fuss.
Curiously although, as I descended into the water, the automotive out of the blue revved to about 4000rpm and hung there – regardless of my foot being on the brake.
After a number of seconds of slight panic, I realised the low-range gearbox hadn’t engaged correctly, owing to the violent engagement required of the brand-new transmission. After slamming it into 4Lo, the automotive pulled itself by means of the water and out the opposite facet with none further fanfare.
Whereas I’m pleased to chalk that one as much as an oddity that will doubtless be not possible to copy, cresting the highest of a steep triangular hill did have the underside scraping, as a result of its 3488mm wheelbase.
The Jeep Gladiator was clearly developed with the concept that its house owners would match 37-inch mud-terrain tyres and a elevate equipment. The usual top and wheelbase don’t make any sense in any other case, given its off-road intentions – until Jeep engineers assumed that each proprietor would modify their Gladiator with massive tyres and a elevate.
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And that’s typically the trail house owners take within the US.
The issue is, in just about all states and territories in Australia, there are strict guidelines on how a lot you may improve the general diameter of a tyre earlier than it’s unlawful, and something aside from a minor elevate equipment will want an engineering certificates and mod plate fitted by professionals.
Ignore the principles and you possibly can see your insurance coverage or registration cancelled or, worse nonetheless, you possibly can end up with a defect discover on the windscreen with per week to get the automotive mounted.
Backside line? The Gladiator is flawed on the highway, and – for probably the most half – nice off it. None of which stopped me from having fun with its character, however we’ll get to that in a bit.
| Off-road dimensions | Jeep Gladiator Rubicon |
|---|---|
| Observe entrance and rear | 1636mm |
| Floor clearance | 249mm |
| Strategy angle | 40.7 levels |
| Departure angle | 25.1 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 18.4 levels |
| Wading depth | 760mm |
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What do you get?
The newest Gladiator Rubicon has been loaded up, with the mannequin now getting the Life-style Journey Group choice as commonplace, which incorporates issues just like the spray-in bedliner, the auxiliary switches, and the Path Rail system, in addition to lockable under-seat storage packing containers, a 240-amp alternator, and – arguably the good factor concerning the Gladiator – a transportable Bluetooth speaker for that seaside get together.
2026 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon tools highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 32-inch off-road tyres
- LED headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Physique-colour fender flares
- Gorilla glass windscreen
- Rock-Trac four-wheel drive
- Three skid plates
- Proximity entry with push-button begin
- 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 12-way power-adjustable entrance seats with 4-way lumbar
- Heated entrance seats
- Nappa leather-based upholstery
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- Lockable under-seat storage
- Wi-fi Bluetooth speaker
- 240-amp alternator
- Auxiliary swap financial institution
- Spray-in bedliner
- Path rail system
- Tie-down factors
- Underneath-rail lighting
- Energy outlet
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Is the Jeep Gladiator protected?
Unbiased automobile security organisation, the Australasian New Automotive Evaluation Program – higher generally known as ANCAP – awarded the Jeep Gladiator three stars again in 2019, based mostly on testing of the Wrangler by its Euro NCAP accomplice. That ranking is expiring in December 2025, and the check standards has been tightened a number of instances because it was given.
| Class | Jeep Gladiator |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 60 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 80 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 49 per cent |
| Security help | 51 per cent |
Commonplace security tools contains:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Twin entrance airbags
- Twin front-side airbags
- Curtain airbags
- Rear seat reminder
- Tyre strain monitoring
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How a lot does the Jeep Gladiator value to run?
Jeep gives capped-price servicing throughout its lineup, with every service costing $399 for the primary 5 providers, for a complete value of $1995 over the primary 5 years. Although be mindful the Gladiator has service intervals of 12 months or 12,000km – whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Jeep Gladiator Rubicon |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years or 100,000km |
| Roadside help | 5 years or 100,000km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 12,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Whole capped-price service value | $1995 |
As with its roadside help, the manufacturing facility Jeep guarantee covers the Gladiator for 5 years or 100,000km, making it one of many shortest new-car warranties within the trade by a distance; arguably, solely Tesla is worse, at 4 years or 80,000km.
To see how the Jeep Gladiator traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
I’ve considerably of a love/hate relationship with the Jeep Gladiator.
There’s little question it’s flawed. However like a pet with an underbite and googly eyes, it’s these very flaws that truly develop into endearing over time.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is agricultural and flawed in related methods, however that doesn’t cease it from being some of the fascinating automobiles on sale. Perhaps Jeep must make the Gladiator $250,000. Then there’s the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Sequence, which comes with even much less equipment and prices about the identical.
Sadly for Jeep, you received’t ‘get’ the Gladiator after a 20-minute check drive. You could develop a relationship with it earlier than you perceive it. And actually, our scoring system doesn’t do a lot to reveal the Gladiator’s strengths, both.
There’s a simplistic nature to the Gladiator that’s successful, and I discovered myself genuinely having fun with the ridiculous Hulk-green ute by the top of my week with it.
The farm-machinery doorways that shut with a correct clunk, the silly seating place, the asthmatic engine, I actually got here to adore it all… apart from that indicator.
For most individuals, there are higher choices on the market. Cheaper, extra comfy, higher dynamics, extra tech – however wanting a LandCruiser GR Sport or an Ineos Grenadier, there are in all probability only a few automobiles on sale right now that will get as deep into the bush because the Gladiator and not using a lengthy checklist of modifications.
With the basic Land Rover Defender now changed by a contemporary SUV and the G-Class Skilled lengthy gone, the Gladiator seems like one of many final of the charming, boxy, hardcore off-roaders left on the planet. And it’s a flippin’ convertible, too.
Like a accomplice that has greater than only a contact of the loopy, you’ll be endlessly justifying, explaining, and apologising for the Gladiator to your family and friends. However for these few who don’t wish to comply with the pack and revel in a little bit of old-school of their new automotive, this Jeep might nicely be the one.
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MORE: Discover the Jeep Gladiator showroom
