Jeep Gladiator Sport S Full Trim Overview

Photo Source/Copyright: Edmunds

Most folks who walk onto a lot asking about the base Gladiator end up driving home in the Sport S. That’s not dealer manipulation; it’s just where this truck stops feeling stripped-down and starts feeling complete, with essential safety tech and everyday niceties included. You get the same 3.6-liter V-6, removable doors and roof, standard 4×4 hardware, and open-air freedom, but with key conveniences added. So, what does that extra money actually buy you?

Where the Sport S Sits in the Lineup

With a starting MSRP of $43,015 (excluding the $1,995 destination charge), the Sport S sits $3,195 above the base Sport trim ($39,820 MSRP, excluding destination fee). It serves as the value pivot right before the lineup climbs into trail-specialist territory, where price tags get noticeably bigger.

You get a crew cab, a 5-foot bed, standard four-wheel drive, and a class-leading 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen. Jeep also lets you order aggressive factory all-terrain tires on this trim, which is a sweet trick at this price point.

What You Get Over the Base Sport

The step up focuses on practical utility rather than pure flash. Standard safety and security additions on the Sport S include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control: Holds a set gap to traffic on long highway runs.
• Forward Collision Warning: Pairs with automatic emergency braking.
• Vehicle Theft Alarm: Standard security for all doors and the tailgate.

None of it looks dramatic on a spec sheet. Spend four hours on the interstate with adaptive cruise doing the throttle work, though, and going without it gets hard to imagine.

One Powertrain, No Guesswork

Every Gladiator runs the same 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, rated at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. The six-speed manual has been retired across the lineup. 

Power reaches the ground through Command-Trac, a part-time 4×4 system that’s been handling snowy commutes and washboard fire roads for years without fuss. Having a single engine choice actually simplifies buying. Your trim decision comes down to comfort and convenience because the capability underneath is already sorted.

Towing and Payload Numbers

Here’s where the Sport S quietly punches above its sticker:

• Max Towing: 7,700 pounds (with Max Trailer Tow Group).
• Max Payload: 1,720 pounds.
• Bed Length: 5 feet.
• Seating Capacity: 5.

To reach that 7,700-pound towing ceiling, which Jeep says leads all gas-powered trucks in its class, you’ll need the Max Trailer Tow Group. That package brings a 4.10 axle ratio, a Class IV receiver hitch, and heavy-duty cooling. 

Hauling mountain bikes and a cooler? Skip it. Camper in your future? Check the box. Meanwhile, the 1,720-pound payload capacity ensures the bed isn’t just for show.

Build It Your Way

Plenty of comfort content lives in options packages rather than the base price. If your winters are mild, you aren’t forced to pay for heated seats you’d barely touch:

• Convenience Group: Heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and passive entry.
• Technology Group: Nine-speaker Alpine premium audio with an all-weather subwoofer and removable Bluetooth speaker.
• Jeep Active Safety Group: Blind-spot monitoring and rear park assist.

Take a Closer Look

Numbers only tell you so much. If you’re deciding between the base Sport and the Sport S, the added driver aids and option availability make the Sport S worth the jump. Swing by to check out the new quick-release door hinges, which let the doors come off without a single tool, or schedule a test drive before heading over.