Jeep launches a “Golden State Gladiator” with this limited-run Big Bear Edition.
Most folks may see California for its massive cities or the glitz and glamor of Hollywood or Silicon Valley, but Jeep is taking a different tack with folks in the Golden State by launching a special edition of its Gladiator pickup. It’s called the Big Bear Edition, and brand aficionados may recognize the name from an earlier limited-run model, based on the Wrangler JK. This time around, Jeep is celebrating the state’s outdoors and adventure-loving residents by bringing the homage back exclusively for California customers.
The name comes from Southern California’s Big Bear Lake, part of the San Bernardino National Forest and a nature haven for folks looking to get away from LA’s massive and ceaselessly busy urban sprawl. The special edition model builds on the Sport S trim, but adds in a range of convenience features as well as some extra off-road kit.
Starting with the latter, you get 17-inch black aluminum wheels wrapped with 32-inch mud-terrain tires, as well as steel rock rails. It doesn’t go as far as the Willys, since you don’t get a rear locker or Off-Road+ mode here, but it covers a couple upgrades most Sport S owners would make to their trucks anyway if they actually planned to take their Gladiator off-road.
On the creature comforts side, the 2025 Jeep Gladiator Big Bear Edition brings in leather seats that are heated in the front, a heated steering wheel, power heated mirrors, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, remote start and a universal garage door opener (basically, all the bits from the Sport S’ Convenience Group package). A 12.3-inch infotainment screen still comes standard, as does first and second-row side-curtain airbags — two upgrades Jeep made with the 2024 Wrangler/Gladiator updates.
If you want a 2025 Jeep Gladiator Big Bear Edition, there are two caveats you’ll need to consider. First and most obvious: You’ll have to order it from a California Jeep dealer. The automaker is also limiting production to 5,000 units with a price tag of at least $48,085 each (including $1,995 destination). That’s about $4,490 above and beyond the Sport S, but consider you are effectively getting the $2,295 Convenience Group as part of the deal. Most of the Gladiator’s current color options are available for the Big Bear, including ’41 (an olive drab color inspired by WWII Jeeps), Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Hydro Blue, Firecracker Red and Anvil (gray). Mojito, another recent edition for the ’25 model year, is not among the choices, though.
