Born from the brand’s roots in 1941 with the Willys MB, and carrying forward a lineage that stretches through the original Kaiser-built Gladiators of the ’60s and ’70s, the modern version of the Gladiator revived in 2020 has given Jeep something no other mid-size truck maker can claim: a removable roof and doors on a truck bed. Now, with its 85th anniversary in full swing, Jeep is rolling out a string of special editions built to honor that heritage, just like the Whitecap Edition you see here.
A SECOND MISSION IN THE CONVOY
The Whitecap is the second drop in Jeep’s “Convoy” campaign for the Gladiator; a series of mission-themed special editions designed to give the truck distinct, personality-driven identities throughout the model year. The first was the Shadow Ops, a blacked-out stealth build that leaned into the darker side of the Gladiator’s off-road character. Whitecap swings the pendulum the other way entirely. The two-tone execution includes Bright White on the roof, the seven-slot grille, and a side stripe, and is a direct callback to the kind of two-tone colorways you’d find on vintage Jeep trucks and early CJ models, equipped with a “1941” decal stamped on the front doors.
THE LOOK
Jeep keeps things clean here. A Bright White painted hardtop, matching grille surround, and body-color fender flares form the core of the package. Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave, and Mojave X buyers also get a white hood decal with their trim name printed on it. The side stripe ties the whole look together and references the kind of graphic work you’d see on old Easter Jeep Safari concepts. The boxy, high-shoulder silhouette of the Gladiator happens to be a perfect canvas for this kind of treatment. If you’re picking a color for the package, the darker exterior options (think blues or grays) are going to make those white accents pop the most.
SAME CAPABILITY, NEW CLOTHES
The Whitecap is purely a visual package, so there’s no powertrain upgrade here. Under the hood you still get the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 making 285hp, mated to an eight-speed automatic with standard four-wheel drive. The Gladiator’s working credentials remain intact: 7,700 lbs of towing capacity (still segment-leading for a mid-size), 1,720 lbs of payload, and a 5-foot steel bed with integrated tie-downs. The removable roof and doors continue to be the Gladiator’s trump card that no Tacoma, Frontier, or Colorado can even touch. If anything, it’d be nice to see Jeep eventually offer a performance package alongside these appearance builds as the Gladiator has always felt like it has more potential under the hood than the V6 fully unlocks.
SPEC SHEET
Model: 2026 Jeep Gladiator Whitecap
Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6
Power: 285 hp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD
Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Payload: 1,720 lbs
Starting Price (w/ Whitecap): $50,680 (Sahara)
Top Price (w/ Whitecap): $63,775 (Rubicon X / Mojave X)
Available Trims: Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave, Mojave X
Release Date: Spring 2026
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Whitecap hits dealerships this spring. The package starts at $495 on the Sahara, Rubicon X, and Mojave X, while Rubicon and Mojave buyers will need to factor in the body-color fender flares and Freedom Top to qualify, which will bring those builds to a higher starting investment but unlocking the full two-tone look. All-in, you’re looking at a range from $50,680 (Sahara Whitecap) up to $63,775 for the top-trim X models.
Recap
2026 Jeep Gladiaor Whitecap
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Whitecap is the second drop in Jeep’s Convoy campaign, adding a heritage-inspired two-tone look to five trim levels for as little as $495. It’s a purely cosmetic package, but on a truck with the Gladiator’s bones, that’s honestly enough.
