Jeep has simply launched its all-new, all-electric off-roader: the Recon. With potential real-deal off-road functionality, an open-air method to motoring, and all of the traditional Jeep styling cues you anticipate, the brand new Recon might dominate a comparatively small phase amongst EVs. And in the interim, it might need the market cornered.
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Not too way back, Ford introduced a brand new mannequin: the Bronco New Vitality EV. An all-electric SUV that shares a lot of its styling and exterior vibe with the usual Bronco. With the success of the usual Bronco, an all-electric mannequin with off-road chops appeared like an ideal match for the US. However alas, the Bronco New Vitality is just out there in China (for now). There are just a few off-road worthy EV SUVs at present on the market, none of which supply fairly the identical rugged picture because the Wrangler or the Bronco. And if this new Recon can seize among the Wrangler market, it could be a giant success.
Energy, acceleration, vary, and functionality
Listed below are the fundamentals for the brand new Recon SUV: it makes use of a 400-volt 100.5 kWh battery and in accordance with Jeep, it produces 650 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque, which is sufficient to rocket it from zero-to-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. That is no small feat contemplating the Recon’s claimed curb weight of 6,112 kilos.
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Estimated vary for the Recon is a bit disappointing for such a big automobile, at simply 250 miles between fees. A good greater disappointment is that the Moab trim that can go on sale first has an estimated vary of simply 230 miles. The Wagoneer S, which the Recon shares a platform with, beats it on vary by providing as a lot as 294 miles on a single cost. Towing for the Recon tops out at 3,300 kilos, which is respectable for an EV SUV, although not significantly spectacular. And whereas the well-equipped Moab mannequin they’re launching with will probably price extra, Jeep says the Recon can have a beginning worth of $66,995 (together with $1,995 vacation spot charge).
What about off-roading?
Jeep has positioned the Recon as a more-than-competent off-roader, and so they’ve achieved so by ensuring to incorporate all of the requisite {hardware} and software program. The Recon is “Path Rated” by Jeep for further off-road functionality, which suggests it passes Jeep’s assessments for traction in slippery conditions, water fording, maneuverability, articulation, and floor clearance. Offering the grip on Recon Moab fashions are 33-inch Nexen Roadian ATX tires, which mix with the hefty suspension to supply 9.1 inches of floor clearance.
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Naturally, a full-size spare hanging off the tailgate is a part of the bundle not only for aesthetics, however in case you get a puncture off-roading and want a substitute. An method angle of 33.8 levels and a departure angle of 33.1 levels needs to be sufficient to maintain the Recon from scraping on most rocky surfaces. Beneath, the Recon’s battery pack is protected by high-strength metal underbody panels (skid plates). Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system is supplied to the Recon mode as properly, with Auto, Sport, Snow, and Sand modes to handle traction, and an additional Rock mode for the Moab mannequin.
The place it matches within the lineup and what it is up towards
The Recon is not an electrical Wrangler, it is too large for that. Just like the smooth and upscale Wagoneer S, the Recon is constructed on the STLA Giant platform, so it is a two-row SUV that is fairly spacious on the within. From nostril to tail, the Recon measures 193.3 inches. That is about 5 inches longer than the present four-door Wrangler and about 4 inches longer than the four-door Ford Bronco. The Bronco New Vitality EV can be a correct measurement comparability at 197.8 inches, however we’ll simply have to attend and see if that one ever makes it state-side.
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In any other case, there are just a few all-electric SUVs that the Recon must compete with in the intervening time. For starters, the Rivian R1S is a wonderful all-around household hauler with some off-road functionality of its personal. The R1S is barely bigger than the Recon (about 7 inches longer from nostril to tail) nevertheless it affords a 3rd row for a bit of additional passenger versatility. The three-row Kia EV9 is a powerful alternative for electrical SUV consumers, nevertheless it would not cowl a lot of the identical floor as the brand new Recon. The revived Scout SUV may very well be a powerful rival for the brand new Recon, nevertheless it’ll be some time earlier than the Scout is obtainable.
The styling may make it successful
The Recon, whereas it definitely appears refined and fashionable from our early impressions, is a little more daring and broad-shouldered with its styling method than its sibling, the smooth Wagoneer S. The Recon has traditional seven-slot, vertical-grille Jeep styling, identical to the Wrangler. No instruments are required to take the doorways off, a characteristic which any Wrangler proprietor will likely be eager about, particularly contemplating the period of time it takes to bolt and un-bolt Wrangler doorways with the tiny hand-held ratchet offered from the manufacturing facility.
Jeep
On the within, the Recon definitely feels premium. Recycled supplies line the inside together with uncovered bolts, whereas minimalist straps are used to carry your water bottles in place as an alternative of door netting. As an alternative of bodily gauges, the Recon will get a 12.3-inch driver show display screen, and on the middle console there is a 14.5-inch touchscreen — the biggest in any Jeep 4×4 automobile ever. Sadly, local weather management capabilities are regulated to the underside of the touchscreen, with none redundant bodily controls, however we’ll maintain out judgment on these till we have had an opportunity to check them in the actual world. A locking heart console ought to maintain your objects comparatively protected in the event you park someplace with out your doorways.
The place does this go away us?
With the introduction of the 2026 Recon, Jeep has doubled the scale of their all-electric lineup and nearly instantly, they’ve grow to be one of many prime contenders within the off-road EV phase. Ford may have the ability to seize among the electrical off-roading crowd with a automobile on their new Common EV Platform, however it can probably be a while earlier than we see something rival the Recon (particularly some other off-road SUVs that help you take away the doorways).
Jeep
All-electric off-roading is not an enormous market at present, and Jeep already has quite a few 4xe merchandise just like the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe and the Grand Cherokee 4xe to fulfill off-roaders who desire a little bit of battery energy, however that is one thing else solely. Jeep has deftly mixed their traditional feel and look with a contemporary EV powertrain, and just some critical seat time and real-deal off-roading will inform us whether or not or not the mixture is successful.
