Recon Run
November 20, 2025
Jay RameyJeep's second EV model stateside aims to be capable off-road, but it could be weighed down by its giant battery and modest range.
If you’ve been waiting for a Wrangler EV, keep waiting. But in the meantime, you might as well try something very similar from Jeep. With a bit of a delay the Recon is finally on the way in 2026, the second EV for the brand stateside after the rather muted launch of the Wagoneer S.
The Recon will draw juice from a 100-kWh battery pack, with the dual-motor powertrain promising 650 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque — well north of the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s 470 hp, but still a bit milder than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 707 hp.
That power allows the Recon to propel its boxy mass from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds, which should make for a curious and perhaps scary sight on- and off-road.
Production of the boxy EV based on the STLA Large platform will begin in Toluca, Mexico early next year, with the model carrying a $66,195 sticker.
Unlike the sleek Jeep Wagoneer S, the Recon will be far more usable off-road, featuring 9.1 inches of ground clearance in addition to 33.8-degree approach, 33.1-degree departure, and 23.3-degree breakover angles. And the battery itself will be protected by high-strength steel underbody shields.
Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system with its five modes should make off-roading a bit easier, with the EV drivetrain’s ability to send torque to both rear wheels via an electronic locking differential.
“Engineers prepped the Jeep Recon for trail duty with large-diameter half shafts and stout constant velocity (CV) joints to get all the torque to the wheels,” Jeep notes.
When it comes to on-road driving (which is where the electric Jeeps will spend most of their time) the front axle features automatic disconnects at each wheel to ease up energy consumption on road trips.
But despite a large battery, Jeep is only estimating up to 250 miles of range, depending on trim.
For now the automaker hasn’t revealed its curb weight, which will be crucial factor for actual off-road adventures—and likely has a lot to do with the heavy duty components needed to enable such off-road adventures. The removable doors might be able to shave some of the weight off the EV, but a short and boxy 4×4 with a 100-kWh battery might still give off-road enthusiasts some hesitation.
Just how much of an audience there will be for an off-road optimized electric Jeep with a starting price north of $66,000 and a 250-mile range remains to be seen, but the Recon will also arrive at a time of a pivot of sorts to EREVs at Stellantis and a handful of other automakers.
The real off-road Jeep crowd, meanwhile, might favor Wranglers of various generations for quite some time, while repeat EV buyers might value range, interior tech, and luxury features in road-biased models.
Speaking of interior tech, the Recon will feature a 14.5-inch horizontal touchscreen standard, along with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, so this won’t be a spartan offering devoid of various toys.
When it arrives, the Recon will inevitably compete in this rare off-road EV segment with the longer and roomier Rivian R1S, which starts about $10,000 north of the Recon.
“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,” said Bob Broderdorf, CEO of the Jeep brand.
The Moab trim will go on sale first with a few bonus items, including wheel flares, off-road tires, an anti-glare hood graphic, gloss black accents on the grille, and available side rock rails.
The Recon will also land in a bit of a nervous EV market that has already seen some premature departures from some less pricey mass-market models.
For now, Jeep is betting that the Recon’s off-road abilities will be unique enough to set it apart from a crowd of luxury electric SUVs in that same general price range.
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