Jeep has lifted the cover on the Recon, a Wrangler-like electric 4×4 that aims squarely at serious off-road use while delivering 670bhp and 620lb ft from a dual?motor setup. The brand positions the Recon as the unofficial electric equivalent to its iconic Wrangler, but it builds this model first and foremost for the trail. Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said the Recon shows that “electrification isn’t just compatible” with off-roading, “it can elevate it,” pointing to instant torque, precise control and near-silent running in natural settings. The Recon sits on Stellantis’s STLA Large platform, uses a 100kWh battery with steel underbody protection, and targets up to 280 miles of EPA range (about 330 miles by WLTP conversion). US sales start in the coming months, with UK and mainland European launches planned for late 2026 and a price expectation of around £75,000.
Jeep outlined the Recon’s global programme on 19 November 2025. The company plans first deliveries in its home US market before a UK and European launch window in late 2026, with full regional specifications due later that year.
Image Courtesy of Autocar
Powertrain aims to ‘elevate’ off-roading
Jeep equips the Recon with a 670bhp, 620lb ft dual?motor powertrain that targets confident traction and fine throttle control on uneven ground. Broderdorf argues that electric torque delivery helps drivers place the car more accurately and climb obstacles with less wheelspin. He adds that quiet progress suits remote trails and protected areas where engine noise can spoil the experience. The firm pitches this model as proof that battery power can enhance, not dilute, the Jeep ethos.
The Recon uses the STLA Large platform’s 400V electrical architecture, which supports rapid responses from both motors. Jeep has not released acceleration figures, but it stresses capability over outright speed. The brand also claims that it has tuned the power delivery to match trail demands, with strong initial response and smooth modulation for rock-crawling and steep descents.
Trail geometry and hardware target Jeep loyalists
Jeep sets the Recon’s numbers to appeal to off?road purists: approach angle 34 degrees, departure angle 34.5 degrees and breakover angle 23.5 degrees. Those figures sit only slightly below the Wrangler’s, and they reflect the Recon’s focus on serious terrain. Ground clearance reaches 238mm when fitted with chunky 33in off-road tyres, which Jeep supplies as standard on the US?only Moab trim.
Underneath, the Recon uses a double?wishbone front suspension and an integral?link rear. Jeep says this set?up prioritises tyre contact and quick responses off Tarmac. An electric locking differential and the familiar Selec?Terrain system feature, with a dedicated Rock mode added for slow, technical driving. This package signals the Recon’s role as a genuine trialmate for Jeep enthusiasts who want battery power without losing core capability.
Battery, range and charging: numbers that matter
A 100kWh battery sits within a steel?protected floor, shielding cells from knocks and scrapes on rock steps or rutted tracks. Jeep targets up to 280 miles of range on the strict US EPA cycle. The company says that converts to about 330 miles on WLTP, the test standard used in Europe and the UK. Final WLTP?certified figures for this market will follow in late 2026 alongside full regional specifications.
The STLA Large platform runs a 400V system that supports DC fast charging at up to 160kW. Jeep has not detailed charging curve data or times from, say, 10% to 80%, and it has not disclosed weight. The Recon shares its battery capacity with Stellantis stablemates such as the Peugeot e?3008 and e?5008, but Jeep tunes the packaging and protection for off?road duty.
Open?air design and a modern, rugged cabin
Jeep leans into its open?air heritage with removable doors and folding front and rear windows, a first for an EV, to deliver what it calls “pure open?air freedom.” The Recon does not offer a removable roof; Jeep fits a large sunroof instead. A light?up front grille links traditional Jeep cues with the model’s electric identity. The exterior keeps a simple, functional look that nods to classic trail gear and easy cleaning after muddy days out.
Inside, the Recon shifts to a digital control layout. A 14.5in infotainment touchscreen handles most functions, including climate settings, and a 12.3in digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver. Jeep keeps only a few physical buttons and dials for volume, radio tuning and ESC. Materials follow a tough brief: hard, scuff?resistant panels and multiple grab handles set the tone for a cabin that drivers can wash down and use hard without worry.
Positioning, rivals and the Jeep line?up
Jeep calls the Recon the first electric model it has built primarily for off?road use. It follows the Wagoneer S SUV and Avenger crossover, which broaden the brand’s EV footprint but do not target trails in the same way. Jeep also claims the Recon stands as the only fully off?road?capable EV on sale, though some will view the Mercedes?Benz G580 EQ as fitting that brief. The Recon’s similar size and stance to the Wrangler will attract buyers who like the icon’s look and ability but want battery power.
Broderdorf frames the Recon as an evolution that keeps the brand’s DNA intact. “The 2026 Jeep Recon is a bold step forward for the brand,” he said, adding that it takes “Jeep enthusiasts into the future without compromising the legendary performance they expect.” That message sits at the heart of this launch: Jeep aims to convince long?time fans that they can go electric and keep the trail skills they value.
UK and Europe: launch window and what to expect
Jeep plans US sales in the coming months, with a UK and mainland Europe launch pencilled in for late 2026. The brand says it will share full European and UK specifications in late 2026, closer to first deliveries in these markets. Buyers should expect final WLTP range figures, homologated towing data, equipment levels and local
