After the digital unveiling in 2022, the electric Jeep reconnaissance The off-road SUV will finally go into production in early 2026, with US pricing and specifications announced today.
It may not be the American brand’s first electric vehicle (EV), but it is the first to be considered “Trail Rated” and the first with removable doors.
“We have no updates locally at this time,” a Jeep Australia spokesperson said.
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Former Jeep global CEO Christian Meunier confirmed in September 2022 that the Recon and Wagoneer S electric SUVs were slated for release in Australia.
“The Recon and the Wagoneer S… are secured for Australia,” he said.
“Obviously Australia was way behind on electrification two or three years ago. It wasn’t even a question… and when I spoke to the team on the ground they said ‘electrification, not really interesting’.”
“And I kept asking questions, asking questions, asking questions and looking at what’s happened in the meantime. And we see that New Zealand is 100 percent running at full speed. And Australia is catching up. Australia will get there.”
The Recon was expected in Australia in 2025 and later in 2026.
It’s based on the same STLA Large Unibody platform as the slimmer Wagoneer S that launched in the US last year.
It features a 100.5-kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery protected by a “full line of robust, high-strength steel underbody shields” and a 400-volt electrical architecture that delivers a fast charge time of 28 minutes at 5-80 percent DC.
The stated range is “up to 250 miles” (402 km), depending on the equipment. Jeep doesn’t specify the testing cycle, but it’s likely an estimate based on more stringent US EPA testing.
Jeep says it uses a pair of 250kW electric motors, one at the front with an 11:1 axle ratio and one at the rear with a 15:1 axle ratio, giving a total system output of 500kW and 840Nm of torque.
That’s enough to propel the Recon from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in a claimed 3.8 seconds, or 3.6 seconds in Sport mode, and Jeep says the Recon’s throttle is tailored to “deliver torque in a controlled and precise manner for a satisfying off-road driving experience.”
The Recon also features an electronically locking rear differential for improved off-road capability, while the front axle features automatic disconnects, allowing the vehicle to default to rear-wheel drive on the road, thus using less energy.
The suspension consists of a short-long arm arrangement at the front and an integral link at the rear.
Here’s how the Recon compares to the four-door Wrangler:
| enlightenment | Wrangler Rubicon 4-dr | |
|---|---|---|
| length | 4911mm | 4785mm |
| Width | 1900mm | 1877mm |
| Height | 1875mm | 1868mm |
| wheelbase | 2868mm | 3008mm |
| Ground clearance | 232mm | 274mm |
| Approach angle | 33.8 degrees | 43.9 degrees |
| Departure angle | 33.1 degrees | 37 degrees |
| Ramp rollover angle | 23.3 degrees | 22.6 degrees |
The Recon debuts in the rugged Moab trim, which also comes standard with 33-inch tires, a special rock ride mode, anti-glare hood graphics and available side rock rails.
Additional off-road features include low-speed Selec Speed Control, which allows the Recon to maintain a set speed over difficult inclines and declines, and a Trails Off-Road app that includes a guide to trails across North America and pitch-and-roll maps.
The Recon is equipped with a dual-pane sunroof as standard, and a Sky One-Touch power top opening roof is also available as an option.
And yes, like the Wrangler, the doors as well as the rear side window and the tailgate window can be removed – all without tools. There is also a full-size spare wheel on the tailgate.
The Recon’s boxy exterior was revealed over three years ago, with a chunky body and an unimpressive drag coefficient of 0.404 Cd, but now Jeep is showing off the interior.
There’s less similarity to the Wrangler here, although there are still sturdy details, like the chunky grab handle that runs across the passenger side of the dashboard.
There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, Jeep’s largest yet, with the latest Uconnect 5 multimedia system and integrated climate controls.
“The sleek, buttonless design combines futuristic aesthetics with practical usability and features digital buttons sized for easy use on any terrain,” Jeep says, although physical buttons for volume and tuning have been retained.
An Alpine sound system is standard, with some speakers under the seats if you want to remove the doors.
Jeep says it used “abrasion-resistant, swirl-textured services” and other “road-ready materials” to highlight the Recon’s durability.
The headliner and carpets use recycled ingredients, while the seats, console, doors and instrument panel are made from “leather-free synthetic material.”
The Moab features a unique Joshua Tree Tan interior.
There’s a claimed 1,866 liters of storage space at the back with the second row of seats folded down, while there’s 85 liters of storage space under the bonnet.
It’s priced at US$65,000 (A$100,000) before on-road costs, just US$200 less than the Wagoneer S EV, but more expensive than the Wrangler 4xe (US$50,695/A$78,000) and Grand Cherokee 4xe (US$60,490/A$93,000) plug-in hybrids.
Jeep will build the Recon at its Toluca assembly plant in Mexico and launch it initially in the US and Canada, “followed by global expansion” – although it has not yet been confirmed to what extent the model will be offered.
The recon therefore comes after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Mexican imports and eliminated tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles.
“With Jeep Recon, we are proving that electrification is not only compatible with off-road excellence, but can enhance it by providing instant torque, precise control and a quieter, more connected driving experience that is unique to Jeep,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO.
Jeep currently only sells one electric vehicle in Australia, the small urban Avenger, which is currently only available with front-wheel drive.
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