The Jeep Gladiator Just Got a Softer Side With This New $47K Trim

Old Name, New Territory

Jeep has announced that the Gladiator is getting a new trim called Sahara, a name that will already sound familiar to longtime fans of the brand. The Sahara nameplate has been part of the brand since 1988, having long been offered on the Gladiator’s SUV counterpart, the Wrangler, and now finally expanding to the pickup lineup.

Rather than leaning into the hardcore off-roading theme that defines trims like the Rubicon, the new Sahara adopts a more comfort-focused approach. Positioned squarely in the middle of the lineup, the trim is designed to add refinement without overlapping with the role of the Gladiator Rubicon X. In that sense, the Sahara mirrors mainstream trims such as the Ford F-150 XLT, which cater to buyers who want an upscale presence and everyday usability without breaking the bank.

Refined Touches on a Rugged Truck

Visually, the Jeep Gladiator Sahara distinguishes itself with body-colored fender flares and a matching body-colored three-piece hardtop. These elements replace the black exterior accents that typically emphasize the off-road-first character seen in the entry-level Sport and the trail-focused Rubicon. The Sahara also rides on a set of 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in all-season tires, though Jeep notes that buyers can opt for all-terrain rubber at no additional cost (late availability).

Inside, the Gladiator Sahara features McKinley leather-trimmed seat surfaces, a material also offered on the Sport S. The package further adds a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Additional standard equipment includes LED headlamps and fog lamps, remote start functionality, and remote keyless entry, reinforcing the Sahara’s comfort and convenience appeal.

While the official press release does not explicitly detail the powertrain, the Sahara should retain the Gladiator’s standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with power sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The company had previously planned to offer a plug-in hybrid 4xe variant for the truck, but the program was canceled earlier this year.

The Middle Ground

Jeep offers the 2026 Gladiator Sahara from $47,125, excluding the $1,995 destination charge. That figure undercuts the Rubicon by roughly $5,000. The Sahara bundle incorporates $4,685 worth of equipment borrowed from the Sport S, yet costs only $2,210, which the automaker says represents a 53 percent value advantage.

Alongside the Gladiator Sahara, Jeep is also closing out the year with another newly introduced off-road-oriented package known as Shadow Ops. Based on the Rubicon, the Gladiator Shadow Ops features heavy-duty steel bumpers and a factory-installed winch.