For years, rumors have run rampant about a possible Jeep Wrangler EV, rumors that only got louder after the Wrangler 4xe PHEV debuted in 2021. Although this hasn’t yet come to pass, the off-road and Jeep communities will get something close before the end of 2025. Jeep announced the Recon in late 2022, and in February 2025, the first undisguised photos of the eSUV were posted online. Production has already begun, and you should be able to find a Jeep Recon for sale at your local dealership sometime this fall.
Not all the details are available, but with Jeep’s second all-electric vehicle mere months away, joining the Jeep Wagoneer S released in 2024, I think it’s high time for another look at this new SUV. It’s been nearly two years since CarLifeNation wrote about the Jeep Recon, and now this vehicle is visible on the horizon. Here’s what to know and what people should expect as this eSUV introduces itself on a wide scale.
Inspired by the Wrangler, Driven by the Future
It’s not officially a Wrangler, but one can immediately see that the Recon is closely related. The name even comes from the Xtreme Recon Package offered on select Wrangler trim levels since 2022. Physical similarities include the boxy exterior shape, short overhangs, squared-off wheel wells with flared arches, and a rear-mounted spare tire. This quartet instantly calls off-road adventure to mind. Admittedly, the Recon is a little sleeker than the Wrangler, which should help the aerodynamics for high-speed driving.
The Recon will only be sold as a four-door SUV, and its dimensions resemble the four-door Wrangler, fitting squarely in the midsize SUV segment. The Jeep Recon will share several features with the Wrangler, including removable doors that let passengers enjoy the sun and breeze. AWD/4WD and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system offer various modes for driving on sand, snow, and even rocks. A one-touch removable PowerTop roof lets you enjoy the open air or show off when cruising the city, though it’s not yet known whether this will be standard or optional. The tires are rated for driving on unpaved surfaces and in tough conditions. Underbody skid plates will protect the powertrain, and tow hooks will help you get out of tricky situations.
While the vehicles look a lot alike, their underpinnings could not be more different. The Wrangler 4xe has given off-roaders a taste of the electric life, but the Jeep Recon is the full three-course meal, and that’s not the only major change.
What About the Powertrain?
So far, Jeep has remained mum on what the Recon will offer for horsepower, driving range, and other numbers. That said, since it’s being built on the same Stellantis STLA Large platform as the Jeep Wagoneer S, the automaker’s inaugural eSUV might offer a glimpse of what’s to come. This fellow midsize eSUV comes equipped with a pair of electric motors (one front, one rear) that combine to produce 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque. It also has a 100.5-kWh battery that offers an EPA-rated range of 270 or 303 miles, depending on the tires.
Unless Jeep has secretly invested in developing a new powertrain (something I rate as unlikely, especially given Stellantis’s recent financial difficulties), it’s reasonable to expect a setup similar to the Wagoneer S on the Recon. The battery will probably be similar, too. One interesting thing to note is that while the Wagoneer S uses a 400-volt battery architecture, the STLA Platform also supports 800-volt architecture, which is more efficient and charges faster but costs more. Jeep won’t say yet whether the Recon will utilize a 400-volt or 800-volt battery. The 400-volt architecture seems more likely, but an 800-volt option isn’t out of the question, whether now or in a future model.
Suspension Updates Create a Modern 4×4
The suspension design is the other big change from the Wrangler to the Recon. The Jeep Wrangler has always been equipped with solid-axle front and rear suspension. This means the front wheels are connected to each other, and so are the rear wheels. Solid axles are recognized by automotive experts as being the best option for low speeds and uneven terrain because of their durability, articulation, and wheel travel. Because of this, Jeep continues putting them on the Wrangler so it can handle heavy-duty off-roading. However, a solid-axle layout isn’t as good for on-road driving.
The Jeep Recon goes in a different direction by using independent front and rear suspension, which still offers some off-roading benefits. It makes the ride smoother and improves handling on any surface, whether that be a paved highway or rocky trail. Independent suspension also offers more ground clearance for obstacles, and it opens the possibility for adjustable ride height. That said, this suspension may not articulate as well on rough terrain, and it is more expensive to maintain.
Still, I trust Jeep to make the independent suspension as off-road friendly as possible. Regardless, it will offer a great balance of on-road and off-road driving. One notable addition in this regard is that the Recon will have front and rear electronic locking differentials, which are only available on the highest Wrangler trim levels, like the Rubicon. This should help offset any potential traction issues on uneven ground. Furthermore, Jeep is giving the Recon MOAB trim and its to-be-named off-road packages the Trail Rated badge. This designation isn’t issued willy-nilly and should give prospective buyers the confidence that the Recon can handle the toughest environments.
Other Possible Features
Beyond this, the main knowledge of the Jeep Recon comes from the official unveiling photos, plus various spy photos leaked throughout the testing process. There will likely be seating for five people, two in the first row and three in the second row. Roof rails will let drivers add more cargo beyond the storage area. A front grille with seven slots should protect the nose while allowing airflow. The Recon should have BFGoodrich T/A all-season tires, which are known for their stability, wet/dry grip, responsiveness, low road noise levels, and long life. A lockable center console will protect valuables. Digital interior displays will make infotainment and gauges easy to read. Traditional door handles will be replaced with one-touch buttons. A grab handle on the passenger side will let people brace themselves.
All in all, I can best describe the Jeep Recon as a next-generation Wrangler. It takes the fundamentals people know and love about this vehicle and adds modern EV performance, a premium suspension, and other ways to get a great driving experience anywhere.
An All-Electric 4×4 That’s Distinctly a Jeep
The Jeep Recon wouldn’t be the first or only 4×4 EV to try to capture buyers’ hearts. The GMC Hummer EV SUV is already stomping around the wilderness, as is the more family-friendly Rivian R1S. The revived and electrified Scout Traveler should arrive by 2028, too. But none of these vehicles has the Jeep name going for them. Jeep has an 80-plus year history of rugged adventure 4x4s, and the Recon aims to continue this tradition in an environment (if you’ll pardon the pun) where electrification is considered the way of the future.
Will the Jeep Recon deliver on its promise? I think it has a shot. To get serious for a moment, the reception of the Recon could also go a long way towards determining whether Stellantis achieves its Jeep electrification goals, and maybe the future of the struggling automotive conglomerate, for that matter. If things remain on schedule, more answers about the Jeep Recon will arrive soon, and I’ll join others eagerly awaiting them.
