Quick Highlights:
- Jeep just scrapped the long-awaited Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid before anyone could drive it.
- Stellantis says it’s all about changing customer tastes and EV plans.
- The gas-powered Gladiator lineup is getting a punch with the new 470-hp Rubicon 392.
- Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe? Still alive and kicking.
The Jeep Gladiator 4xe was pitched as the best of both worlds—a Wrangler with a bed, bolstered by plug-in hybrid efficiency. But before it ever rolled into showrooms, the plan has been scrapped. Stellantis has confirmed that the electrified Gladiator won’t see production, pulling the plug on a project that had been in development for years.
The company pointed to cooling demand for midsize plug-in pickups as the key reason. In a statement, Stellantis said it is “reassessing product strategy” as customer preferences shift, and the Gladiator 4xe is no longer part of Jeep’s future lineup.
A Victim of Stellantis’ Shifting EV Strategy
The move comes as Stellantis aggressively reshuffles its electrification roadmap. The Gladiator 4xe joins a growing list of canceled or delayed projects, including the Ram 1500 EV and Dodge Hornet production pause. Dodge also dropped the R/T trim from its Charger EV lineup.
It’s a surprising turn considering the Wrangler 4xe has been one of America’s best-selling plug-in hybrids, and the Grand Cherokee 4xe continues to find buyers. But Gladiator sales haven’t been as strong—only 42,125 units sold last year, down from nearly 90,000 in 2021. Even with a slight rebound this year, Stellantis appears to be prioritizing models with broader appeal.
What Gladiator Buyers End Up With
The loss of the plug-in doesn’t mean the Gladiator is losing its spark. Jeep is doubling down on the traits that give the truck its identity: muscle, customization, and old-school character. The headline act is the new Rubicon 392, stuffed with the same 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that turned the Wrangler Rubicon 392 into a legend. In SUV form, that engine slingshots the Wrangler to 60 mph in just four seconds—as tested by Car and Driver—numbers that promise to make the Gladiator 392 one of the quickest midsize pickups on sale.
But it’s not just about brute force. Jeep is expanding the lineup with more factory-backed accessories, tech updates, and personalization options. And the Gladiator still has the one feature no rival can match: it’s the only pickup in America that lets you pull the doors, drop the windshield, and enjoy an open-air driving experience straight from the factory.
What It Means to the Electrified Future of Jeep
Jeep is eager to mention that the plug-in death of the Gladiator does not imply the fact that the brand is putting a stone upon the head of its 4xe strategy. The Wrangler 4xe is still among the top selling plug-in hybrids in the United States and the Grand Cherokee 4xe still stands its ground. To top it, Jeep will continue to launch the all-electric Recon SUV in the near future.
Nevertheless, the cancellation of the Gladiator 4xe sends a strong message: Stellantis is reducing its number of electrified models which do not demonstrate instant sales. The Gladiator hybrid did not even leave the development phase and today the halo badge of the truck is the gas-powered Rubicon 392 and not an electric version.
Closing Thoughts
The Jeep Gladiator 4xe may be dead, but the story isn’t over. Stellantis once bet big on electrification, and now it’s pulling back, giving more space to traditional engines and what buyers actually want. Sure, the Gladiator lost its hybrid future—but in return, it got a screaming V8 and more ways to make the truck your own than ever before.
For anyone thinking about a Gladiator, this is the time to check out the new Rubicon 392 and all the factory options Jeep is rolling out. It’s still the only open-air pickup in America, and with its mix of power, customization, and that classic Jeep feel, it’s a truck that refuses to blend in.
Source: Jeep
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