Official: The Plug-In Hybrid Jeep Gladiator 4XE Has Been Canceled
Jeep has canceled plans for a Gladiator 4xe pickup, as the market for plug-in electrified pickups in the U.S. falls short of expectations, the automaker has confirmed to American Cars And Racing.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, who was previously Jeep CEO, announced the model in May 2024, when Stellantis was pursuing an aggressive electrification strategy.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe was one of the top-selling plug-in hybrids at the time and the Wrangler shares much of its platform with the Gladiator.
Since then, the federal government voted to end the federal tax credit program for plug-in vehicle purchases, which expires after Sept. 30th, and made other changes that took the pressure off automakers to electrify their lineups.
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TFL Truck was the first to report the Gladiator news. Jeep provided American Cars And Racing with the following statement on the matter:
“The Jeep Gladiator carries its rugged styling and authentic design into 2026 while adding incredible new content straight from the factory. It will continue to serve as the industry’s only open-air pickup truck, combining legendary Jeep 4×4 capability with exceptional everyday versatility. As customers’ propulsion preferences for battery-electric trucks continue to evolve, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will no longer include an electrified Gladiator variant in the Jeep lineup. The Jeep brand has already begun reinvesting funding to ensure the long-term growth of the Jeep Gladiator and will introduce even more customer-requested factory features, customization, and additional powertrain options in the near future.”
The Gladiator only available with a 285 hp 3.6-liter V6 and several 4×4 systems, although new Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf recently hinted that a V8 option could be in the works. The Wrangler is offered in the Rubicon 392 trim, which is powered by a 470 hp 6.4-liter V8.
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The Gladiator is the only midsize pickup sold in the U.S. by a Stellantis brand today, but there is another on the way. Ram is set to launch an new midsize truck in 2027 that will be built in Illinois. Ram has not released any images or details yet, including what types of powertrains it will feature, but Filosa has described it as “amazing.”
Jeep’s move comes after Ram stoped developing an all-electric full-size pickup to focus on a plug-in series hybrid model that is slated to go on sale next year. Other automakers, including Ford and General Motors, have also delayed some electric truck programs to better suit market demand.