Last year, Jeep announced a plug-in hybrid 4xe version of the Gladiator pickup, but we’ve now learned that the automaker has pulled the plug on the off-roader. It recently told dealers that the truck would be canceled, saying that it would focus more on the features and accessories buyers want.
Jeep’s statement said, “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 4xe would have been Jeep’s third plug-in hybrid, following the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. The automaker’s PHEV system only offers around 20 miles of electric range in the Wrangler, and it has had quality issues since its release, so it’s not super surprising to hear this announcement. The PHEV powertrain does offer benefits off-road, giving the vehicles extra torque when they need it, but pricing is also an issue, as the 4xe models are considerably more expensive.
Despite those issues, the Wrangler 4xe is the best-selling PHEV in America, though Jeep’s parent company isn’t seeing the strong sales it needs to keep pushing forward with aggressive electrification efforts. Sister brand Ram recently canceled its all-electric pickup to focus on a range-extended variant, and Dodge has struggled with demand for the electric Charger Daytona.
[Images: Jeep]
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