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Jeep confirmed this week that it was dropping its 4xe powertrains. Many writers suspected that something was up in November when Jeep outlined what was new for the 2026 Jeep Wrangler and did not list the 4xe as a powertrain option. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe has been the most popular PHEV in America for the last few years. While nearly one in four PHEVs were Jeeps, Jeep has decided to move on to more conventional hybrids and even long-range hybrid EVs.
Ironically, the 2025 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe was just featured in a Rocky Mountain Driving Event in October. As I wrote then, "The Jeep Wrangler is a perennial Colorado favorite and the Rubicon 4xe gives a driver everything they want in an off-roader, including the benefits of an electrified powertrain. It was almost too perfect that while driving up this obscure mountain pass, we had to pull over to let a Jeep Wrangler Willys pass us as the driver was making his way down the mountain. Wranglers are everywhere in the mountains.
The 4xe’s 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine, two electric motors, managed the rural trails with no problem. The 4xe is rated at 49 MPG with 21 miles of all-electric range. It is very cool that you can run the vehicle almost silently, especially on a steep summit. For much of the time it seemed to be just us and the huge hawks out looking for prey."
Why Cancel the 4xe
Stellantis issued a statement to Automotive News saying,
“Stellantis continually evaluates its product strategy to meet evolving customer needs and regulatory requirements,” the company said in a statement. “With customer demand shifting, Stellantis will phase out plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) programs in North America beginning with the 2026 model year, and focus on more competitive electrified solutions, including hybrid and range‑extended vehicles where they best meet customer needs.”
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe was the top-selling plug-in hybrid, with the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe coming in second. Stellantis is also cancelling the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV and an Alfa Romeo plug-in. A Jeep Gladiator 4xe was announced last year, but as I reported previously, it was cancelled a short time later.
The entire EV landscape shifted after the election of Donald Trump and his administration’s rollback of the strict CAFÉ standards. Shortly after the administration eased the EV mandates, Ram cancelled its planned EV truck and opted instead to pursue a range -extended hybrid truck. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer will also debut with the same range-extended hybrid.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe has been recalled a number of times because of fire risks. Problems with the battery packs led to fires while the Wranglers were being charged.
Jeep heavily marketed the 4xe line. Jeep also developed a number of Jeep Badge of Honor Trails and installed chargers at trailheads to support the plug-in EVs. The 4xe gave Wrangler owners the ability to save the battery power and use it whenever they wanted, whether it was out on the trail or on the highway. Still the plug-in market share was tiny and dropped even further after the administration canceled the EV tax rebate.
Jeep Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories
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