Jeep trims 2025 Gladiator range, rules out plug-in hybrid – for now
Jeep has introduced an updated Gladiator for 2025, bringing a raft of tech, safety and equipment upgrades – and a sharper entry price – but hybrid power has been ruled out for Australian buyers.
A plug-in hybrid version of the Wrangler, badged 4xe, has been on sale overseas for more than a year, and Jeep’s global boss Antonio Filosa has confirmed the electrified drivetrain is destined for the related Gladiator. But the technology remains off-limits to right-hand-drive markets like Australia, at least for now.
“The 4xe is at the moment only available in left-hand drive, so it’s not available in right-hand-drive markets at this point in time,” Jeep Australia product manager Bridget Thomson told media at the updated Gladiator’s product presentation. “I can’t go into too much detail or speculate on anything, but I wouldn’t rule out any changes in the future – nothing to confirm today.”
For reference, the Wrangler 4xe combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and 17.3kWh battery for a claimed 30km of EV-only range. Outputs swell to 280kW/640Nm – a hefty lift over the long-serving 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ V6 (209kW/347Nm) that continues unchanged in the updated Gladiator.
Despite its carryover powertrain, the 2025 Gladiator brings some meaningful updates and a worthwhile price drop. The model range has now been trimmed down to one variant, with Jeep deciding to drop the previous Night Eagle entry model and instead deliver a single well-specced Rubicon spec. Pricing starts at $82,990, which is a $4260 reduction from the pre-update model.
— Jeep Australia product manager Bridget Thomson
“We’ve done a lot of work moving into 2025 to streamline the line-up and limit the number of options, just to make it easier for customers to make their decision,” Thomson explained.
As for whether a cheaper, entry-level Night Eagle-style variant could return? “Jeep are quite good at buzz models and special editions,” she said. “So at this time we’re launching with Rubicon, but looking forward I wouldn’t cancel out the introduction of any variant available globally.”
Standard kit now on the 2025 Gladiator includes a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect 5, plus a suite of safety additions such as full-length curtain airbags, rear-seat reminder and auto high-beam. Jeep claims more than 85 advanced driver-assistance features are now fitted across the Gladiator range.
Despite the new safety equipment, Jeep wouldn’t be drawn on whether it will ask for the Gladiator’s current three-star ANCAP safety rating to be reviewed.
“Probably no comment at this point in time around any future retesting. We do have more than 85 safety and advanced driver safety specs as standard so we’re quite comfortable in the ADAS and safety functionality of the Gladiator.”
2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon – key specs
- Price: $82,990 before on-roads (down $4260)
- Engine: 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol
- Outputs: 209kW / 347Nm
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Rock-Trac 4x4 with low range, locking diffs and sway-bar disconnect
- Towing capacity: 2721kg (braked)
- Payload: 693kg
- Infotainment: New 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Safety: Adds full-length curtain airbags, rear-seat reminder, auto high-beam; more than 85 active safety and ADAS features \
- Off-road gear: Skid plates, steel rock rails, 77:1 crawl ratio
