28-02-2022
The Jeep Gladiator is set to see significant updates next year, including a splashy new exterior color option and an exciting new powertrain trim. Tuscadero Pink will join the Gladiator’s palette, alongside the introduction of the Gladiator 4xe, as confirmed by Antonio Filosa, Jeep's global CEO. Filosa reiterated a promise made last fall by former Jeep executive Jim Morrison, stating in a LinkedIn post, "Next year, we’ll extend that freedom of choice even further with a Gladiator 4xe option (colors to be announced) that will join the No. 1 and No. 2 best-selling plug-in hybrids in the U.S., the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe."
Currently, the Gladiator offers only one powertrain: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, the 4xe plug-in hybrid will introduce a more efficient and powerful option. If Jeep carries over the existing 4xe powertrain without changes, the Gladiator 4xe will generate 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. This system combines a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a 44-hp starter/generator, and a 134-hp electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its 17.3-kWh battery is expected to deliver an all-electric range of 20 miles or more.
While the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe have a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, it remains to be seen whether the Gladiator 4xe will match or exceed that figure.
Pricing for the hybrid Gladiator is likely to see a significant jump. The Wrangler 4xe is priced nearly $18,000 higher than its non-hybrid counterpart, suggesting the Gladiator 4xe could start at around $56,000 before destination fees. Buyers might qualify for a $3,750 federal tax credit, offsetting a fraction of the cost.
In addition to the Gladiator 4xe, Jeep is preparing to expand its electric lineup. The battery-electric Wagoneer S is expected to debut later this year, followed by the battery-electric Recon. Looking further ahead, range-extended versions of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are slated for 2025, as per Stellantis' latest UAW contract.