Jeep is taking battery power off-road with the 2026 Recon, its first trail-rated electric vehicle. The 650-hp Recon was built to handle rugged terrain, with plenty of torque to overcome obstacles in the wilderness. It offers up to 400 km of driving range and accelerates to 100 kph in less than four seconds.
Product blitz
The Recon is the latest entry in a rapid-fire product blitz as Jeep reworks its portfolio after six straight years of declining US sales. The Recon is the brand’s fourth vehicle introduction since August, joining the redesigned Cherokee and midcycle updates for the Grand Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee.
The Recon stands apart from most EVs by offering open-air driving with removable doors, swing-gate glass, and rear-quarter glass. It starts at $66,995 with shipping in the US.
Canadian pricing will be shared at a later date. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2026 at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. Plans to go more global are for the end of 2026.
“It’s trail-rated, purpose-built and ready to take Jeep enthusiasts into the future without compromising the legendary performance they expect,” Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said yesterday. “With the Jeep Recon, we’re proving that electrification isn’t just compatible with off-road excellence, it can elevate it, delivering instant torque, precision control, and a quieter, more connected driving experience that’s uniquely Jeep.”
Electric 4×4 capability
Jeep said the core of the Recon’s propulsion system is a pair of 250-kilowatt electric-drive modules that deliver standard electric 4×4 capability and instant torque on demand. Each combines an electric motor, gearing, and power electronics into a single, compact unit to improve efficiency.
“Engineers tailored the Recon’s throttle pedal to deliver torque in a controlled and precise manner for a satisfying off-road driving experience,” Jeep added.
The Selec-Terrain traction management system offers sport, snow, sand, and rock driving modes, and Selec-Speed Control helps tackle tricky slopes by maintaining a constant low speed so the driver can focus on steering. The Recon sports 33-inch tires and can ford up to 60 cm of water.
STLA Large Platform
The Recon is built on Stellantis’ versatile STLA Large platform, which supports both gasoline and electrified powertrains. STLA Large also underpins the redesigned gasoline and electric Dodge Charger and the electric Jeep Wagoneer S.
“We increased the overall length to make room for our rear spare tire,” said Brian Del Pup, the Recon’s engineering team lead, “but we were diligent in making sure that we minimized our front and rear overhangs to maintain good approach and departure angles.”
The Recon’s proportions and stance draw from the popular second-generation Cherokee that debuted in 1984, said William Coughlin, the Recon’s sales operations director. “This is heritage DNA reimagined for the EV era,” Coughlin said. “Inside, it’s all about roomy, rugged, and modern design, handcrafted materials, clever storage, and mega personalization options.”
‘Sporty, spirited, and rugged’
The first goal of the design team was to have the doors come off, said Vince Galante, Jeep’s head of exterior design. The team also sought to create an instantly recognizable design, he added.
“It has an elementary body with exposed hinges,” Galante explains. “The elements, like the spare tire and the taillights, the bumpers, everything, are protruding away from that straightforward shape. It also has, if you look at the detailing, exposed hardware, things like tow hooks, so that you can have functional things that you can use off-road.”
The Recon features a 14.5-inch touchscreen, the largest ever offered in a Jeep, and a 12.3-inch driver cluster with customizable menu options and modern graphics. The infotainment system includes EV-focused screens that detail charge status, while Dynamic Range Mapping helps plan long trips by indicating when and where to charge. Recycled materials are used throughout the cabin.
“It’s all about being sporty, spirited, and rugged,” said Ryan Nagode, the head of interior design for Stellantis’ North American brands, “bringing in some high-tech utility, and wrapping that up with a sustainable interior one with nature.”
