Stellantis is rethinking its electrification strategy, and that includes stopping Gladiator 4xe development.
For years now, we’ve been trying to pin down exactly if or when Jeep would get around to expanding its plug-in hybrid ‘4xe’ lineup to the midsize Gladiator pickup. It makes sense, right? The Wrangler 4xe has been around for a few years now, so a reasonable assumption would be to graft that idea onto its midsize truck sibling. That is no longer the case however, as Jeep is cancelling its plans to bring a Gladiator 4xe to the lineup, according to a memo sent to suppliers that TFL Studios has obtained.
The statement in its entirety reads:
“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.”
“Reassessing product strategy” is a phrase we’ve already heard recently, as it’s also the company’s cited reason behind killing off its fully electric Ram 1500. That, of course, came after the company delayed its arrival multiple times, all the while shifting what was formerly the range-extended Ramcharger (now officially the “REV”) to the front of the line.
To be clear, Stellantis’ decision to drop the 4xe doesn’t extend to the Gladiator lineup as a whole. The existing model, backed by a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission, doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. In fact, the automaker’s mention of more features and options as well as “additional powertrain options” suggests we will see some newsworthy updates pretty soon — just not a 4xe. So, officially, this rules out our earlier coverage showing prototypes out in the wild, as Stellantis has decided to scrap the plug-in hybrid Gladiator project.
What could “additional powertrain options” mean?
While General Motors is sticking to its guns with fully electric vehicles, Stellantis looks like it’s taking a leaf out of Ford’s book and banking on V8s. At the very least, it’s making hay while the sun still shines, and that decision could reap some benefits for folks eyeing a Gladiator in the near future. While the company will not comment on future product, its recent move to revive the 5.7-liter Hemi option in the Ram 1500 and make the 2026 Dodge Durango a pure-V8 lineup sends a pretty clear signal where it’s going here.
A potential V8 Gladiator option, be it the 5.7 or the big boy 6.4-liter Hemi in a Gladiator 392, would be welcome news for enthusiasts.
At this point, we don’t know exactly how Stellantis’ “reinvestment” in the Gladiator range will shake out, as far as new special editions, or indeed V8s or any other powertrains. We’ll have to wait for some official confirmation from Jeep itself on that front, but if you were waiting for the Gladiator 4xe, you heard it here first: You can stop holding your breath.
