Jeep Recon Live | Edge

It’s been over three years since we first caught a glimpse of it Jeep Wrangler-esque Recon EVwhich is named after the automaker’s suspension lift package for the off-road options of its popular SUV lineup. Jeep originally pegged the Recon’s sales debut in 2023, but that apparently didn’t happen. Since then, there have been more delays, and even rumors that the Recon was DOA.

Surprisingly, these rumors turned out to be false. The 2026 Jeep Recon is still 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 pound-feet of torque, and a modest range of 250 miles. Priced from $66,995 (including destination charge), it will be listed below The most powerful and affordable Wagoneer S.

But will anyone be able to afford an electric Wrangler that costs more than twice the price of a regular Wrangler? When it goes on sale, the Recon will likely face many of the same headwinds as the Wagoneer S and, frankly, the rest of the Jeep lineup, which has struggled to find buyers in recent years amid rising costs and over-reliance on large, expensive SUVs. But Jeep thinks it’s appropriate to make a comeback – Its latest sales quarter showed improved sales, while sales of the rest of Stellantis’ products declined – this will include the all-electric Recon.

“With the Jeep Recon, we are proving that electric shifting not only matches off-road excellence, but can elevate it, delivering instant torque, precise control and a quieter, more connected driving experience that is uniquely Jeep,” Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said in a statement.

Naturally, Jeep relies on off-roading to help boost its sales. When it launches, the Recon will be the only electric vehicle in the automaker’s lineup to earn the Trail Rated badge, which is given to vehicles that pass stringent tests around traction, water wading, maneuverability, articulation, and ground clearance. (Of course, Jeep only has two electric vehicles, so that’s not a huge difference.) The Recon will come with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system, as well as e-axle technology, underbody protection, tow hooks, and off-road tires.

What about the battery located low in the Recon’s floor? Will climbing rocks or crossing a river damage the sensitive cells inside? Not according to Jeep, which insists the 100kWh, 400V pack is entirely concealed in “a full set of robust, high-strength steel underbody armor.”

The Recon’s suspension system includes a short and long arm up front and an integral link in the rear. On standard 33-inch tires with the Moab model, ground clearance is about 9.1 inches. Off-road specifications feature an approach angle of 33.8 degrees, a departure angle of 33.1 degrees, and a breakover angle of 23.3 degrees.

Like all good Wranglers, the Recon will also allow the doors and rear quarter window to be completely removed — “no tools required,” Jeep says. No other electric SUV currently allows removable doors, not even the Jeep-aping Scout Traveler and Terra EVs, so this could certainly help the Recon differentiate itself. (Slate Auto’s first electric truck could include removable doors if it goes into production.)

The Recon features 250-kW front and rear electric drive modules (EDM), each consisting of an electric motor, gears and power electronics to provide standard all-wheel drive and instant torque on demand. The front EDM system uses an 11:1 final drive ratio in an open differential design, which Jeep claims will help make the ride quality very balanced. The company says the front axle includes automatic disconnects at each wheel end to help “improve power use and range during typical on-road driving conditions when rear-wheel drive is most efficient.”

This sense of customization continues inside the Recon, where you’ll find modular door panels with removable elastic straps and interchangeable luggage configurations. The rear cargo space, with the second row folded, allows 65.9 cubic feet of space, while the trunk has 3.0 cubic feet of space, enough for a carry-on bag.

The 12.3-inch drivetrain is all-new for Jeep, as well as a 14.5-inch central touchscreen in landscape orientation, which the automaker says is “the largest usable digital screen area ever in a Jeep.” While the heating and cooling functions are digitally controlled through the screen, there is a physical knob to control the volume. However, Jeep touts its “sleek, button-free design” that it claims “blends futuristic aesthetics with practical ease of use.” The infotainment system runs on Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 operating system, and includes exclusive apps like Jeep’s Trails Offroad, a guide to trails across the U.S. and Canada, with pitch and roll mapping.

Of course, Recon was originally supposed to arrive in 2024, and it’s unfortunate that Stellantis couldn’t stick to that timeline. It would have taken advantage of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which would have helped take some of the bite out of that sticker price. However, it is a minor miracle that Recon survived the change at Stellantis, as Carlos Tavares was replaced as CEO by Antonio Velosa, who headed Jeep under Tavares.

When I interviewed Filosa last year during the launch of the Wagoneer SHe claimed that Jeep would eventually produce a $25,000 electric Jeep. The Recon isn’t, but it’s a step toward a future where an affordable model can be had.