Jeep Gladiator 4xe PHEV announced for US
BY PETER BARNWELL | 8th May 2024
JEEP has announced a 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Gladiator utility for North America, joining the electrified Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe variants – the latter available Down Under since last year in Summit Reserve trim.
The Wrangler 4xe on which the Gladiator 4xe is based has been available in the United States since 2021 and is the top selling PHEV in that market, with the ute expected to follow a similar path given its popularity as an internal combustion model.
Given the Wrangler 4xe is currently only made in left-hand drive, the likelihood of a right-hook Gladiator 4xe for Australia is unclear at this stage.
But Jeep is in the process of introducing four-cylinder turbo-petrol Wranglers here, replacing the V6, which could affect RHD availability.
According to reports from the US, confirmation of the third 4xe model’s launch in 2025 was contained in recent social media posts from Jeep global CEO Antonio Filosa and the brand's North America head, Bill Peffer (who was Nissan Australia CEO from early 2012 to mid-2013).
The Gladiator PHEV represents a continuation of Jeep’s stated intention to electrify its portfolio in some way, shape or form with the new model scheduled to be built at the brand’s Toledo plant in Ohio that makes the Wrangler and Gladiator.
Jeep’s electrified powertrain options encompass full battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), mild hybrid (MHEV) and what the company calls range-extended electric which uses internal combustion to generate power for electric motors which drive the vehicle.
Beyond the Gladiator 4xe, Jeep offers range-extended electric and BEV versions of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, along with a Wrangler-inspired fully electric Recon offering roof-off electric driving.
A fully electric BEV version of the Grand Cherokee is scheduled for 2027 according to US reports.
The Wrangler is slated to get fully electric and range-extended electric versions in 2028 with Jeep owner Stellantis keen to cover all options in powertrain terms for its iconic fourbie.
Jeep lifted the Gladiator 4xe powertrain from Grand Cherokee and Wrangler 4xe models, consisting of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with two integrated electric motors.
This should give the Gladiator 4xe a combined 280kW of power and 640Nm of torque and a claimed “pure electric” range of around 50km. But Jeep’s fuel consumption claims for its PHEV powertrain in GC (3.2L/100km) are optimistic as evident on GoAuto’s recent test of the model that could only manage 8.7L/100km in mixed driving.
Jeep’s electrified powertrain feeds from a 400-volt 17.3kWh lithium ion battery pack going through an eight-speed conventional Torque Flite fluid auto transmission.
Keeping the battery at optimum temperature is a dedicated heating and cooling circuit that includes a heater unit and a chiller that uses the 4xe’s air-conditioning refrigerant to control coolant temperature when needed.
On the GC 4xe and expected to be replicated on the Gladiator 4xe, Jeep says charging time varies from less than 10 hours (Mode 2) to less than three hours (Mode 3 at 7.4kWh).
Towing capability for the Gladiator 4xe is likely the same as for the current 3.6 V6 ICE powered model at 2800kg.
If the Jeep Gladiator 4xe does make it to these shores it will face stiff competition from the likes of Ford’s Ranger PHEV and the Toyota Hilux MHEV both due soon with other players in the market readying their own hybrids not to mention fully electric models.
Jeep sold 811 Gladiator 4x4s in Australia last year, a far cry from market leaders Ford Ranger at 58,261 units and Toyota HiLux at 48,995 units.
