Jeep Ended the Gladiator 4xe Before It Could Even Prove Itself | Carscoops

      The plug-in hybrid version of the pickup has been scrapped at the last moment as Jeep re-evaluates its product strategy.

      Jeep has opted to cancel the Gladiator 4xe before its official launch, which was initially set for this year.

      The company attributes this decision to changing customer preferences regarding propulsion options.

      Over the past year, significant changes have occurred at Jeep, and the developments are ongoing. Last year, then-CEO Antonio Filosa revealed a plan for the Gladiator 4xe, expected to be available in 2025. Fast forward to now, and Filosa has transitioned to the CEO of Stellantis while the plug-in hybrid pickup has been dropped from the lineup.

      The Gladiator 4xe was intended to join the ranks of the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler 4xes, both of which have quickly become top sellers in the plug-in hybrid market in the U.S. The Gladiator was expected to closely resemble the Wrangler, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, and an electric motor. This combination would have provided the truck with a total output of 375 hp (280 kW / 380 PS) and an all-electric range of about 20 miles (32 km).

      Regrettably, the manufacturer has informed suppliers that the vehicle's production has been halted immediately. In a statement to Auto News, a spokesperson mentioned, “The Jeep brand has already begun reinvesting resources to ensure the long-term growth of the Jeep Gladiator, and will introduce even more customer-requested factory features, customization, and new powertrain options soon.”

      While this statement is somewhat unclear, it indicated that the cancellation was due to changing customer propulsion preferences. The company further stated they are “reassessing its product strategy” and will not be including an electrified Gladiator variant in the Jeep lineup.

      This cancellation comes as a disappointment, particularly considering the success of the Wrangler 4xe. Additionally, the clean vehicle tax credit is set to expire later this month, which may have influenced this decision. Sales for the Gladiator have also been underwhelming, with only 42,125 units sold in the U.S. last year—a drop of more than 50 percent from 89,712 in 2021. Nevertheless, sales increased by 8 percent to 25,400 units in the first half of this year.

      In other updates, Jeep has announced the return of the Reign color option. This purple hue will be available for the 2026 Wrangler and Gladiator models.

      The company is now taking orders for this color, which is being reintroduced due to “popular demand.” It first appeared on the 2018 Wrangler and is targeted at customers who have a strong affinity for purple.