2026 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Whitecap: Heritage-Inspired Styling Meets Trail-Ready Capability in Parry Sound District
February 17 2026,
Jeep is 85 years old in 2026, and the brand is marking the occasion with a year-long series of special editions. The Wrangler Whitecap was the second model revealed in the Twelve 4 Twelve celebration, and now the Gladiator Whitecap has arrived as the second mission in the Gladiator's own "Convoy" campaign. Both share the same design language — a Bright White painted roof and seven-slot grille that nods to the classic CJ-Universal's iconic Arctic White top — but each brings it to a different kind of vehicle. For drivers in the Sundridge and Muskoka area who want something that stands apart from a standard-colour Jeep, the Whitecap editions offer a factory two-tone look with full trail capability underneath.
The Wrangler Whitecap is offered on Sahara and Rubicon trims. The Gladiator Whitecap is available across an even wider range: Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave and Mojave X. That breadth of trim availability means buyers in Parry Sound District can choose the specific capability level they need — from the Sahara's highway-friendly refinement to the Rubicon's rock-crawling hardware to the Mojave's high-speed off-road suspension — and still get the distinctive Whitecap appearance package on top.
What Makes the Whitecap Edition Different
The Whitecap treatment applies the same core design elements to both the Wrangler and the Gladiator. The signature exterior features include:
- Bright White painted hardtop roof (Wrangler) or painted roof (Gladiator)
- Bright White painted iconic seven-slot grille
- Bright White 1941 side stripe decal
- Bright White hood decal on Rubicon trims
- Body-colour Rubicon highline fenders on Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave and Mojave X Gladiator trims
- Optional Sky One-Touch powertop in Bright White accent (Wrangler)
The design draws from one of Jeep's most recognizable heritage elements. The original CJ-Universal wore an Arctic White top that became synonymous with individuality and open-air adventure. The Whitecap editions carry that visual identity forward with a modern two-tone execution that contrasts the white roof and grille against any of the available body colours in the 2026 palette.
Wrangler Whitecap: Two Trims, Two Personalities
The Wrangler Whitecap is built on either the Sahara or the Rubicon platform, giving buyers two distinct starting points.
The Sahara trim is a four-door model focused on on-road comfort with trail readiness built in. Standard features include a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (270 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque) with an eight-speed automatic transmission, heavy-duty suspension and the Selec-Trac part-time or full-time transfer case. Body-colour fender flares come standard on the Sahara Whitecap.
The Rubicon trim adds serious off-road hardware: Rock-Trac transfer case, Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar and a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine (285 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque) option with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. Approach angles of 47.4 degrees, departure angles of 40.4 degrees and 12.9 inches of ground clearance make the Rubicon Whitecap ready for the rocky cottage roads and Crown land trails common around Muskoka and Almaguin Highlands.
The broader 2026 Wrangler lineup also includes the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon X and the Moab 392, though the Whitecap package is exclusive to Sahara and Rubicon.
Gladiator Whitecap: The Only Open-Air Pickup Gets a Heritage Look
The Gladiator Whitecap expands the Whitecap treatment to Jeep's midsize pickup — the only open-air truck in the industry with a removable roof and doors. This edition is the second mission in the Gladiator's "Convoy" campaign, following the stealth-themed Shadow Ops that launched in February 2026.
The Gladiator Whitecap is available on five trims, each with different capability profiles:
|
Trim |
Primary Strength |
Key Hardware |
|---|---|---|
|
Sahara |
On-road comfort with 4x4 |
Selec-Trac transfer case |
|
Rubicon |
Technical rock crawling |
Rock-Trac, Tru-Lok lockers, steel bumpers |
|
Rubicon X |
Enhanced Rubicon |
Integrated off-road camera, steel rock rails |
|
Mojave |
High-speed off-road |
FOX shocks, reinforced frame |
|
Mojave X |
Enhanced Mojave |
FOX shocks, steel rock rails, off-road camera |
All Gladiator models are powered by the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity reaches 7,700 pounds (3,492 kg), and maximum payload is 1,720 pounds (780 kg). The 5-foot steel bed with integrated tie-downs and an easy-lift tailgate handles gear, lumber and recreational equipment.
For cottage-country buyers in Sundridge and Magnetawan who need a truck bed alongside trail capability, the Gladiator Whitecap puts the heritage styling on a genuinely functional work-and-play platform.
Heritage Design, Modern Engineering
Both the Wrangler and Gladiator Whitecap editions sit on the same fundamental engineering that has earned Jeep its Trail Rated badge for over two decades. That badge confirms testing across five categories: traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation and water fording. The Wrangler can ford up to 35 inches (89 cm) of water; the Gladiator handles up to 31.5 inches (80 cm).
The 2026 model year also introduces an enhanced door hinge system across both the Wrangler and Gladiator lineups, making door removal quicker and easier for open-air driving. New exterior colour options include Reign and, with late availability, Goldilocks (available on both models) as well as Joose, Earl Grey and Tuscadero on the Wrangler.
Inside, both vehicles feature the Uconnect 5 system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available navigation with live traffic updates.
Whitecap at a Glance
|
Detail |
Wrangler Whitecap |
Gladiator Whitecap |
|---|---|---|
|
Available trims |
Sahara, Rubicon |
Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon X, Mojave, Mojave X |
|
Engine options |
2.0L Turbo I4 or 3.6L V6 |
3.6L V6 |
|
Transmission |
8-spd auto (6-spd manual on V6) |
8-spd auto |
|
Max towing |
5,000 lbs (when properly equipped) |
7,700 lbs |
|
Water fording |
Up to 35 inches |
Up to 31.5 inches |
|
Key design element |
Bright White roof, grille, 1941 stripe |
Bright White roof, grille, 1941 stripe |
|
Open-air capability |
Removable roof and doors |
Removable roof and doors |
|
Campaign |
Twelve 4 Twelve (85th anniversary) |
Convoy |
|
Availability |
Orders open now |
Later this spring |
See the Whitecap Lineup at Mac Lang Sundridge
The 2026 Jeep Wrangler Whitecap is available to order now, and the Gladiator Whitecap arrives at dealerships later this spring. If the two-tone heritage look has caught your attention — and you want to pair it with the 4x4 capability that Parry Sound District and Muskoka demand — visit the team at Mac Lang Sundridge to explore both models and find the right Whitecap for your next adventure.
