Upcoming Chrysler Crossover To Debut As A Hybrid

Chrysler is back on the move—and this time, they’re leading with a bold new strategy and a brand-new vehicle. The long-rumored crossover known internally as the C6X will officially debut in 2026 as a 2027 model year vehicle, and rather than launching as a full electric, Chrysler is going hybrid first.

While many expected the century-old automaker to stick to its all-EV plan laid out a few years ago, that direction has changed. Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell made it clear that the brand is pivoting to embrace a “multi-energy” game plan that includes internal combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles—all underpinned by Stellantis’ STLA Large platform.

“In 2024, Stellantis began transitioning to its next generation of products that are designed to give customers the freedom of choice,” Feuell told MoparInsiders back in April. “Our new STLA multi-energy platforms, as well as our existing platforms, are engineered to offer a variety of powertrain options, including internal combustion, hybrid, and electric.”

This means the upcoming C6X, which is expected to be similar in size to the new Jeep® Wagoneer S, will go head-to-head with some of the most popular two-row crossovers on the market. The D-segment is the most crowded and competitive corner of the SUV market in the U.S., and Chrysler is making its long-overdue return to that arena with a hybrid-first approach.

Originally expected to arrive earlier, the C6X has been pushed back slightly to give the brand more time to get it right. Feuell confirmed in a recent interview with the Detroit Free Press that the vehicle will now launch as a 2027 model year and will be revealed sometime in 2025.

But beyond just launching a new product, Chrysler is aiming to reestablish its identity. The brand that brought Americans affordable luxury with style and innovation back in 1925 is returning to its roots. Feuell recently has been vocal about Chrysler leaning back into its “blue-collar luxury” image, offering premium features without the premium price.

That philosophy, once championed by founder Walter P. Chrysler, is being revived as Chrysler separates itself from Dodge’s muscle, Jeep’s off-road grit, FIAT’s urban mobility, and Ram’s workhorse image.

The upcoming C6X will carry that torch, likely packed with the latest tech (like Stellantis’ STLA AutoDrive, STLA Brain, and STLA SmartCockpit), upscale design cues, and hybrid efficiency, all aimed squarely at working families and professionals who want comfort, capability, and style without breaking the bank.

While Chrysler hasn’t ruled out a fully electric version of the C6X in the future, starting with a hybrid just makes sense. It keeps the price in check, appeals to a broader market, and gives the brand some breathing room to grow its EV offerings down the line.

NOTE: The images shown are of the Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept and do not depict the upcoming C6X crossover.