It’s been rather troubling times for Jeep’s midsize pickup, the Gladiator. Despite significant discounts, sales have declined over the last two or so years, while the planned Gladiator hybrid was scrapped before it even reached the market.
But Jeep is forging ahead with a few improvements to the Gladiator for the 2026 model year. It has also introduced a new Willys ‘41 buzz model of the pickup, which pays tribute to the Kaiser Jeep M715 military truck. In this specification, the Gladiator looks ready for war with rivals like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.
A Tribute to Jeep’s Military Heritage
Stellantis
The Jeep Gladiator Willys ‘41 rides on 17-inch Olive Drab painted wheels, the same color as the truck’s main body. It also gets a Mohave hood with a retro-inspired wood decal, steel bumpers front and rear, mud-terrain tires, and a Mopar triple hoop grille guard. If not for modern touches like the LED rings around the headlights, it would look like it came straight out of a bygone era.
Inside, this special model gets Willys ‘41 tan seat inserts and Mantis Green cloth-wrapped mid-bolsters.
“The Willys ‘41 buzz model brings military-inspired design and proven Jeep capability together in a way that’s both timeless and trail-ready,” said Bob Broderdorf, CEO of the Jeep brand.
Starting at $47,840 excluding the $1,995 destination charge, the Willys ‘41 buzz is priced in the middle of the 2026 Gladiator lineup, between the Willys and Rubicon.
Only Minor Changes For 2026 Wrangler Lineup
Stellantis
Besides the new Willys ‘41 buzz, the 2026 Jeep Gladiator lineup doesn’t change all that much. Jeep has added a new door hinge system that makes removing the doors even easier, giving owners quick access to the open-air freedom that so many Wrangler drivers also enjoy.
All-terrain tires are now an option for the Sport S trim, and there are new limited exterior colors, including Reign and Goldilocks. All trims still use the trusty 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with one of four 4×4 systems and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Gladiator is no poser in the midsize pickup segment; it can tow up to 7,700 pounds, handle water fording of up to 31.5 inches, and has 11.6 inches of ground clearance.
Pricing starts at $38,830 for the base Sport and goes all the way up to $59,995 for the capable Rubicon X.
How Does it Compare to the Class Champ?
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The 2026 Toyota Tacoma remains the most popular midsize pickup in the United States. Although it doesn’t have the brash design of the Gladiator, the Tacoma is a capable off-roader, especially in Trailhunter or TRD Pro guise.
Unlike the Jeep, the Tacoma is available with a two-door XtraCab, and its base price of $32,145 is a lot cheaper than the base Gladiator. Being newer, the Toyota is more comfortable and quieter on normal roads, too. The Tacoma has more powertrain options, including a 2.4-liter turbo-four with between 228 and 270 hp, or a potent hybrid with 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Whereas the Jeep can only manage 19 mpg combined, the Toyota gets up to 24 mpg. You can also get the Tacoma with a manual gearbox.
For some, the Gladiator’s iconic design makes it the winner, but the Tacoma is objectively a more complete truck.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog