Jeep’s New Retro-Inspired Gladiator Option Makes Classic Off-Road Style Accessible

Even if your loyalties lie with competing off-roaders such as the Ford Bronco, you have to hand it to Jeep — it knows how to throw a party. In celebration of its 85th anniversary, the brand has been turning out special edition models like clockwork. 

While most of the festivities have involved iterations of the Wrangler, be it a rad plaid package or some retro-styled V8 power, it’s not the only vehicle to have benefited from the commemorative digs. After all, alongside monthly Twelve 4 Twelve drops, Jeep has also been giving the Gladiator some love through its Convoy campaign.

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The initiative kicked off with the stealthy Shadow Ops model, and now it’s taking a turn towards old-school. Not only does it make for a distinctive option, but it’s also an affordable way to give your truck some classic style.

Two-tone old-school cool

It’s the Gladiator Whitecap, and, as was the case with its Wrangler-based counterpart, the exact inspiration for the package is a little hazy.

Before, Jeep said that it owed its origins to the CJ-5 or ‘Universal’ sold between 1955 and 1983. Now, however, it’s “the earliest Jeep vehicles.”

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Regardless of how you spin it, though, the Whitecap look works just as well on the brand’s pickup. The two-tone paint scheme is packed with retro vibes, and the boxy, rugged lines of the Gladiator ensure that it doesn’t seem out of place.

In any case, along with a Bright White painted hardtop, the package also includes a Bright White painted seven slot grille, some body-colored fender flares, as well as side stripes and hood decals.

Like before, the treatment only extends to the visuals. Under the hood, the Gladiator Whitecap comes with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower and is paired to an eight-speed automatic.

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A more accessible Whitecap

Thankfully, Jeep’s asking price remains reasonable at $495 for the above changes. It’s also worth noting that the Whitecap is actually more accessible in a few Gladiator configurations than it is in comparable Wrangler spec.

That’s because, while the Wrangler Rubicon technically offers the cheapest cost of entry at $46,765, it requires both body-colored fender flares and a hardtop to be eligible. Together, those options bring the package to a total of $3,185 and the overall price to $49,950 before destination and delivery.

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The same holds true for the Wrangler Sahara, as it not only starts higher at $49,365 but it also lacks the requisite roof. This means that you’d still need to spend a further $2,195 on top of the package.

Conversely, while you do have to spend the $47,595 required of a Sahara to get the Whitecap on a Gladiator, Jeep already specs the truck with such extras. Accordingly, the extras add just $495, making it the overall lowest-priced Whitecap configuration at $48,090.

The Wrangler Whitecap really undercuts the Gladiator in Rubicon X guise, as it starts at $57,320, while its pickup counterpart starts at over $60,000. However, the Gladiator also offers Mojave and Mojave X trims, adding to the list of available options.

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Availability and pricing

According to Jeep, the Gladiator Whitecap will be available at dealerships nationwide later this spring with a starting price of $495 on Sahara, Rubicon X and Mojave X trims. Non-X Rubicon and Mojave trims must also be equipped with body-color fender flares and a body-color Freedom Top, priced at $495 and $1,895, respectively.

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2026 Jeep Gladiator Whitecap

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