Update: ‘Design,’ ‘Specifications’ and ‘Production & Release Date’ sections revised.
The Jeep brand is set to release four new electric vehicles, with the second model arriving in the United States being the Jeep Recon. It is targeted at customers who seek an electric mid-size SUV with good off-roading capabilities. Here’s our round-up of the Jeep Electric SUV.
Design
The Jeep Recon is a model designed from the ground up, but it has a resemblance to the Wrangler. Asked if it’s a Wrangler during its online reveal, Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer, Stellantis, said:
They’re brothers. It was absolutely inspired by the Wrangler, which is the king of our portfolio of vehicles and will always lead the charge.
Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer, Stellantis (2022 Jeep 4xe Day on September 8, 2022)
The Jeep Recon is a true SUV with its boxy, brutish style and proportions. While we prefer the Wrangler’s flat and slim roof to the Recon’s curvy and thick roof, the taller windshield and lower hood of the Recon would give it better visibility of the road or trail ahead.
The boxy headlights and small seven-slot grille remind us of the BAIC BJ40 and BAIC BJ60 Chinese SUVs, though the former, in turn, are undeniably inspired by the American SUV! A chunky bumper guard, round fog lamps, functional lower grille, exposed tow hooks, and an anti-glare decal on the hood are other highlights at the front.
On the sides, the rounded and horizontal mirrors put function over form. The wheel arches are sleek, which helps with aerodynamic efficiency. Some people may not like that the Wrangler’s fender flares are gone on the Recon. The door handles are almost fully tucked in, which makes them better for aerodynamics than the Wrangler’s classic handles. The flap of the charging port is on the rear left wing of the SUV.
At the rear, the squarish tail lamps stretch out a little to the sides, forming a wraparound effect and underlining the Recon’s wide stance. Side-opening tailgate with a spare wheel mounted on its center, a chunky bumper guard, an exposed tow hook, and an asymmetric license plate recess are some more visual highlights here. A badge on the right side of the tailgate shows that this particular Recon is in an off-road-focused Moab grade.
New-age features
The Jeep Recon will pack a host of new-age technologies to appeal to modern customers just as much as old-school off-road enthusiasts. These features may include Peer-to-Peer Charging, Remote Vehicle Tracking, Biometric Recognition, Jeep Drone Pairing, Jeep Trails, Group Ride, OTA updates, and AR HUD.
Peer-to-Peer Charging is a bi-directional charging application for a vehicle-to-vehicle charging function. Biometric Recognition may include a face recognition system that scans the customer’s face as they approach their vehicle and, on matching with the registered face, powers it on automatically.
Jeep Trails may include over 6,000 pre-loaded off-road trails, allowing new off-roaders to embark on their first adventures without any worries. Plus, Group Ride may allow locating and communicating with members of the customer’s Jeep community anywhere on or off the road. “Lost” will probably become a long-lost word, then!
With Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication capabilities, our Jeep brand community will stay connected, and share adventures from the most remote locations even without cellular connectivity.
Mamatha Chamarthi, SVP Software Business & Product, Stellantis, at the Stellantis Software Day 2021 on December 7, 2021
With Jeep Platooning, customers going together on a trip in multiple Recons or other Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication-enabled EVs from Stellantis would be able to stay in constant contact. This feature would make road trips interesting, especially for two or more facilities traveling together in different vehicles. It would be useful during off-roading, especially to alert following vehicles of any obstacles and guide them through the trail. Yves Bonnefont, Chief Software Officer, Stellantis, explains:
We enable communication between the different cars on the trail. This is obviously resonating very very well with our Jeep customers and their passion to go off track.
Yves Bonnefont, Chief Software Officer, Stellantis (Stellantis Software Day 2021 on December 7, 2021)
Specifications
The Jeep Recon has the Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management system, e-locker axle technology, under-body protection, aggressive off-road tires, and, as seen in the pictures above, tow hooks. Gilles speaks highly of its basic angles that matter the most during off-roading.
We worked with our friends in engineering to design the Jeep Recon with impressive approach, departure, and break-over angles providing an off-road performance worthy of the Jeep brand name.
Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer, Stellantis (2022 Jeep 4xe Day on September 8, 2022)
Platform
New Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa has confirmed that the Jeep Recon sits on the STLA Large platform, as per a report Autoblog published on February 23, 2024. It can cross the whole Rubicon Trail on a full charge and still be left with enough charging to return to town and recharge.
Powertrain
On November 23, 2023, citing sources, MoparInsiders.com reported that the Jeep Recon will be available in at least three trims, including an entry-level Sport and an extremely off-roading-capable Moab. eAWD should be standard, enabled by two motors, one powering the front wheels and one pushing the rear wheels.
These motors will likely produce over 400 horsepower in the base configuration and nearly 600 horsepower in the top-end configuration. For reference, the dual-motor system in the Wagoneer S produces 600 hp (447 kW) and 617 lb. ft. (837 Nm). The top speed should be limited to 124 mph.
Battery & Charging
Stellantis has confirmed that STLA Large EVs will have a gross (installed/embedded) energy storage capacity of 101-118 kWh. The net (usable) energy storage capacity would be enough to cover a distance of up to 800 km (497 miles).
The Recon will need batteries that hold their charge at high altitudes and in cold conditions, offering a range of 300-350 miles. Going by the charging times of the Wagoneer S, the Recon, with its 400V system, could be charged in around 28 min (5-80%) from a DC fast-charger. At home, it should take the Recon less than 7 hours (5-80%) to recharge in a 240V outlet.
Stellantis has confirmed that it is adopting Tesla’s NACS Charging Standard (SAE J3400 connector). The Wagoneer S and the Recon are both expected with this charging standard, allowing customers to charge at 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada.
One of the main concerns among Jeep enthusiasts is the charging infrastructure during long camping trips, which Jeep seems dedicated to solving using new solar-powered charging stations, such as the ones at the Badge of Honor trails at Moab and Rubicon Trail in California.
Production & Release Date
During his presentation at the Stellantis Investor Day on June 13, 2024, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed that the Recon will be presented by the end of the year. “This is Jeep Recon, the essence of capability, but electric. Trail-rated, Rubicon-rated, 100% electric, will be on sale in 2025. Open-air freedom, as only Jeep offer in the SUV space in the market,” he said.
In the 4.6 million units mid-size SUV segment, we will enter with 3 products: what we presented just 2 weeks ago, the fantastic Jeep Wagoneer S; by the end of the year we will present Jeep Recon, by half two (H2) of next year, we will have a new mainstream UV.
Antonio Filosa, talking about Jeep’s growth plan in the U.S., at the Stellantis Investor Day on June 13, 2024.
In March 2023, the Jeep Recon was on display at the Stellantis Dealer Business Meeting 2023. The picture you see below, courtesy of Jeep Recon Forum user Fred, is from that closed-door event.
Like the Wrangler, the Jeep Recon will be a model manufactured in North America, which should make it eligible for Clean Vehicle Credit, provided it meets the other requirements of the scheme. MoparInsiders.com’s sources suggest that Stellantis will make the Jeep Recon at the Toluca Assembly Plant (Mexico) and that this factory will be responsible for the Jeep Wagoneer S (codename: Jeep KX), too.
Stellantis wants an electrified Jeep 4xe model in every SUV segment and convert 70% of its sales to electrified models by 2025.
TopElectricSUV says
As the top-selling PHEV in America, the Wrangler 4xe is drawing inspiration from the company’s heritage to help the line-up go all-electric. While the Hummer EV SUV and the Rivian R1S are the first electric off-roaders in the market, the Jeep Recon and Rivian R2S are set to lower the entry point for hardcore off-roaders that are distinctly American.
Jeep Recon FAQs
What is the Jeep Recon’s release date?
The Jeep Recon will start reaching U.S. dealerships in 2025, following its debut this year.
What is the expected Jeep Recon price & range?
The Recon should do a range of 300 miles, with prices in the USD 55k-65k bracket.
Which are competitors to the Jeep Recon?
The Rivian R2S and the mini G-Class Electric would be the Recon’s main challengers.
Featured image: Stellantis
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.