It’s been more than three years since we first caught a glimpse of Jeep’s Wrangler-esque Recon EV, named after the suspension-lifting package of off-roading options for the automaker’s popular lineup of SUVs. Jeep originally projected sales of the Recon to begin in 2023, but that apparently didn’t happen. And since then, there have been more delays, and even rumors that the Recon was DOA.
The surprising thing is that these rumors turned out to be false. The 2026 Jeep Recon is alive and well, and will go into production in early 2026, with an initial launch planned for the US and Canada. Jeep says the Recon will produce 650 horsepower, 620 lb-ft of torque and a nominal range of 250 miles. And with a starting price of $66,995 (including destination charge), it will sit below the automaker’s more expensive Wagner S.
But would anyone spend the money for an electric Wrangler replica that costs twice the price of a regular Wrangler? When it goes on sale, the Recon will face many of the same hurdles as the Wagoneer S and frankly the rest of Jeep’s lineup, which has struggled to find buyers in recent years amid rising costs and an overreliance on larger, expensive SUVs. But Jeep thinks it’s due for a comeback — sales improved in its most recent sales quarter, while the rest of the Stellantis declined — and that will include the all-electric Recon.
“With the Jeep Recon, we’re proving that electrification is not only compatible with off-road excellence, but it can elevate it, delivering instant torque, precise control and a quieter, more connected driving experience that is uniquely Jeep,” CEO Bob Broderdorf said in a statement.
Naturally, Jeep is turning to off-roading to improve its sales. When it comes out, the Recon will be the only EV in the automaker’s lineup to earn the Trail Rated badge, which is awarded to vehicles that pass rigorous testing around traction, water fording, maneuverability, articulation and ground clearance. (Of course, Jeep only has two fully electric vehicles, so it’s not that big of a difference.) The Recon will come with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system, as well as e-Locker axle technology, under-body protection, tow hooks, and off-road tires.
What about the battery, which sits down in the floor of the Recon? Will climbing a rock or wading a river damage the sensitive cells within? Not according to Jeep, which insists on 100kWh, the 400-volt pack is entirely contained within a “full suite of strong, high-strength steel underbody shields.”
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The Recon’s suspension consists of a short-long arm at the front and an integral link at the rear. On standard 33-inch tires with Moab trim, ground clearance is about 9.1 inches. And off-road specs include a 33.8-degree approach angle, 33.1-degree departure angle, and 23.3-degree breakover angle.
Like all good Wranglers, the Recon will also allow complete removal of the doors and quarter rear-windshield glass – “no tools required,” says Jeep. No other electric SUV currently allows removable doors, not even the Jeep-aping Scout Traveler and Terra EV, which could certainly help the Recon differentiate itself. (Slate Auto’s first electric truck may include removable doors if it ever goes into production.)
The Recon features front and rear 250kW Electric Drive Modules (EDM), each consisting of an electric motor, gearing and power electronics, providing standard four-by-four propulsion and instant torque on demand. The front EDM utilizes an 11:1 final drive ratio in an open differential design, which Jeep claims will help the drive quality feel very balanced. The company says the front axle includes an automatic disconnect at the end of each wheel, helping to “optimize energy use and range during normal on-road driving conditions, when rear-drive propulsion is more efficient.”
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That spirit of customization continues inside the Recon, where you’ll find modular door panels with removable elastic straps and interchangeable cargo solutions providing flexible organization. Cargo space in the rear, with the second row folded, allows 65.9 cubic-feet of space, while the frunk has a modest 3.0 cubic-feet of space, enough for a carry-on suitcase.
The 12.3-inch drive cluster is brand new to Jeep, as well as the 14.5-inch central touchscreen in landscape orientation, which the automaker says is “the largest usable digital screen space ever offered in a Jeep vehicle.” And while the heating and cooling functions are controlled digitally via the screen, there is a physical volume knob. Still, Jeep touts its “sleek, buttonless design” and claims it “blends futuristic aesthetics with practical utility.” The infotainment runs on Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 operating system, and includes special apps like Jeep’s Trails Offroad, a guide to trails across the US and Canada with pitch and roll mapping.
Of course, Recon was originally supposed to arrive in 2024 – and it’s a shame Stellantis couldn’t meet that schedule. It could have benefited from a $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which could have helped shave off some of the sticker price. Still, it’s a small miracle that Raccoon survived the blowup at Stellantis, in which Carlos Tavares was replaced as CEO by Antonio Filosa, who had led Jeep under Tavares.
When I interviewed Filosa at the Wagoneer S launch last year, he claimed that Jeep would eventually produce a $25,000 electric Jeep. The Recon isn’t, but it’s a step toward a future where a more affordable model may be possible.