What It Is
The Jeep Wrangler has offered a partially electric model for several years now with the plug-in-hybrid 4xe. However, it will soon be joined by an all-electric alternative. Enter the Jeep Recon. Like the Wrangler, the Recon will feature removable doors and a rear-mounted spare tire. The EV will also be capable of crawling over rocks and treacherous terrain thanks to all-wheel drive, knobby all-terrain tires, and plenty of ground clearance.
Why It Matters
The recently released Jeep Wagoneer S is the only EV the brand currently sells in the United States, and it’s more Grand Cherokee than Wrangler. When the Recon finally goes on sale, it’ll give customers an EV that's truly capable off-road. It'll also help the company play catch-up with competitors who are already stealing market share from a niche that Jeep practically created.
Platform
As with the Wagoneer S, the Recon will be an electric mid-size SUV that’s built on Stellantis’s modular STLA Large platform. The platform supports either 400- or 800-volt electrical architectures, though Jeep hasn’t said which one will underpin the Recon. We know that it’ll trade the Wrangler’s dependable solid axles for a more sophisticated fully independent suspension, possibly with an adjustable ride height.
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See all results for new 2026 Jeep Recon EV for sale near 60323
Powertrain
Details about the Recon’s powertrain are cloudy with a chance of powerful electric motors. The Wagoneer S will launch with a 600-hp dual-motor setup that provides all-wheel drive. Naturally, that same powertrain could make its way into the Recon. Exact power figures aside, four-wheel traction will surely be standard, and Jeep has confirmed that the Recon will have electronic locking differentials.
Competition
The Recon will compete against other EV off-roaders like the GMC Hummer EV SUV, the Scout Traveler, and the Rivian R1S.
What Might Go Wrong
Stellantis—an automotive conglomerate that includes brands like Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram—didn’t do so hot in 2024. Along with financial woes amid struggling global sales, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares abruptly resigned in December. Stellantis has also been slow to get eagerly anticipated new models such as the Dodge Charger Daytona EV and Ram 1500 REV into production, and now it appears to be prioritizing the timeline of gas-powered and plug-in hybrid variants over EVs. As a result, the Recon’s debut on dealer lots could take longer than expected. Plus, it remains to be seen how Jeep customers will receive an off-roader that can’t be revived by a jerrycan of gasoline.
Estimated Arrival and Price
We’re still waiting for Jeep to officially reveal the Recon EV. That’s expected to happen sometime this year, and if everything goes according to plan, the first examples should go on sale before the calendar hits 2026. While we think the Recon will have a starting price of around $60K, it’s possible that a fully loaded Launch Edition could kick things off and be priced in the $70K neighborhood.
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Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.
