Hybrid ute axed! 2026 BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV rivalling Jeep Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid gone before it even happened

Jeep has cancelled the plug-in hybrid version of its Gladiator off-road pick-up truck before it even went on sale.

Jeep’s parent company Stellantis broke the news that the Gladiator 4xe would be axed in a letter to suppliers on September 19, according to motoring publication Automotive News.

“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, customisation, and additional powertrain options in the near future,” the letter said, according to Automotive News.

Read More About Jeep Gladiator

• Jeep has lost its way: The American off-road brand has entered survival mode for 2025, but can the new Jeep Avenger electric SUV and potential hybrid Cherokee replacement turn it around? | Analysis
• How this iconic American car brand will survive in Australia despite losing its Toyota Prado and Ford Everest competitor | Opinion
• Electric ute bites the dust! Electric 2026 Ram 1500 cancelled as Ford F-150 Lightning pick-up rival ends before it even started

Jeep announced the plug-in hybrid pickup truck would arrive in 2025. The Gladiator 4xe was never actually built, but had it made it into production it would have been the latest plug-in hybrid variant to join Jeep’s line-up alongside the Grand Cherokee 4xe large SUV and Wrangler 4xe hardcore off-road SUV.

The Gladiator 4xe would likely have used the same hybrid system powertrain as the Wrangler 4xe — a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor with a combined output of 280kW. 

The reason for Jeep’s change of plan is unclear, but Automotive News said the letter to suppliers cites changing customer taste. 

“The company said in the supplier letter that “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,” Automotive News reported.

The move to cancel the Gladiator 4xe comes only two months after Stellantis released its special report announcing strong sales of its plug-in hybrid models.

The report celebrated the news that Stellantis has three of the top 5-selling PHEVs in the US: Jeep Wrangler 4xe at No. 1; Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe at No. 3 and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid at No. 5.

In Australia, Jeep currently sells one plug-in hybrid model — the Compass 4xe. Until as recently as March this year Australian customers could buy a new Grand Cherokee 4xe, but the Grand Cherokee has since been pulled from sale.  

This leaves the existing Jeep local line-up with fully electric Avenger small SUV, the Compass in hybrid and petrol variants, along with the petrol-powered Wrangler and Gladiator. 

The cancellation of the Gladiator 4xe comes only a week after Stellantis’ decision to axe another electrified variant but from another of its brands — Ram.   

In mid-September Stellantis released a statement saying the fully electric version of its Ram pick-up would be discontinued citing slowing demand in the sector.