The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Willys continues Jeep’s tradition of blending military-inspired heritage with genuine off-road capability, offering buyers a midsize pickup that remains distinctly different from anything else on the market. In a recent review, Jakub from TheStraightPipes put the latest Gladiator Willys through its paces, evaluating everything from its on-road manners and cabin comfort to its off-road equipment and practical truck credentials.
While the Gladiator’s rugged styling has always been its calling card, the Willys edition adds an unmistakable vintage personality that pays tribute to Jeep’s wartime roots. Finished in an eye-catching olive drab paint, complete with retro-inspired wheel center caps and aggressive steel bumpers, the special edition stands apart from the standard Gladiator lineup. The nostalgic appearance is complemented by a Mojave-style hood, although the hood scoop serves primarily as a styling feature rather than a functional air intake.
Proven Pentastar Power Continues
Powering the 2026 Gladiator Willys is Jeep’s familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated engine is paired with a smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that prioritizes refinement over outright performance.
Acceleration isn’t sports-car quick, particularly compared to Jeep’s discontinued 392-powered models, but Jakub notes that the V6 delivers respectable performance for the truck’s intended purpose. The transmission handles daily driving with ease, offering predictable gear changes and manual shifting capability when needed, even if it isn’t designed for aggressive driving.
The Pentastar’s exhaust note remains relatively subdued in factory form, though aftermarket upgrades can dramatically improve the soundtrack for owners seeking a more engaging driving experience.
Built for Adventure
The Willys package equips the Gladiator with numerous upgrades aimed at improving off-road performance without compromising its everyday usability. Mud-terrain tires, a rear locking differential, Off-Road Plus mode, steel bumpers, fog lamps, heavy-duty suspension components, and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories provide a solid foundation for tackling challenging terrain.
Like other Gladiator models, the Willys retains Jeep’s signature removable roof panels, detachable doors, and fold-back Sunrider soft top, allowing drivers to enjoy open-air motoring within minutes. Jakub praised the simplicity of these features, noting that the removable rear window and manually operated soft top are surprisingly easy to use thanks to Jeep’s thoughtful engineering.
As a pickup, the Gladiator also offers a practical five-foot cargo bed equipped with a soft roll-up tonneau cover, making it suitable for hauling outdoor gear, camping equipment, ATVs, or recreational vehicles.
Comfortable Interior with Familiar Jeep Functionality
Inside, the Gladiator Willys emphasizes durability over luxury while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. Exclusive tan cloth seats provide excellent comfort and support, featuring manual adjustments and lumbar support that proved comfortable during extended drives.
The dashboard incorporates cloth trim that enhances the cabin’s rugged aesthetic, while Jeep’s straightforward control layout continues to earn praise. Large physical buttons for climate controls, heated seats, and the heated steering wheel allow drivers to make adjustments without navigating complicated touchscreen menus.
The Uconnect infotainment system supports both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay, delivers crisp graphics, and includes a backup camera. Jakub appreciated the intuitive interface, describing it as refreshingly simple compared to increasingly complex systems found in many modern vehicles.
Rear-seat space remains one of the Gladiator’s compromises. While suitable for children and occasional passengers, taller adults may find the second row cramped during longer journeys.
Everyday Driving Comes with Trade-Offs
Despite its impressive versatility, the Gladiator Willys isn’t without compromises. The combination of aggressive mud-terrain tires and the soft-top roof generates noticeable wind and road noise at highway speeds, making it less refined than many conventional midsize pickups.
Jakub also pointed out that the truck he tested exhibited a slight pull during highway driving, though he suspected the issue stemmed from wheel alignment rather than an inherent design flaw.
Nevertheless, ride comfort impressed thanks to the heavy-duty suspension, and the Gladiator remained composed throughout everyday driving. Its part-time four-wheel-drive system allows drivers to operate in rear-wheel drive during normal conditions before engaging four-high or four-low when additional traction is required, potentially offering improved efficiency over Jeep’s full-time systems.
Practical Capability Remains a Strong Selling Point
Beyond recreation, the Gladiator Willys continues to serve as a capable workhorse. Properly equipped, it offers a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds, making it well suited for trailers, boats, personal watercraft, or off-road toys.
Although the longer wheelbase slightly reduces breakover angles compared to the Wrangler, the Gladiator remains highly capable off-road, a characteristic previously demonstrated during Jeep’s official launch events and reinforced by its extensive trail-focused hardware.
Verdict
Jakub concluded his evaluation with a largely positive impression of the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Willys. While the V6 engine won’t satisfy buyers seeking high-performance thrills and highway refinement is limited by tire and roof noise, the truck excels in areas that matter most to Jeep enthusiasts.
Its timeless military-inspired design, highly functional interior, removable roof and doors, impressive towing capability, and authentic off-road credentials combine to create a pickup unlike any competitor in the midsize segment. For drivers who value adventure, customization, and everyday practicality wrapped in unmistakable Jeep character, the Gladiator Willys remains one of the most distinctive lifestyle trucks available today.
Source: TheStraightPipes