2026 Jeep Recon: Electric, Trail-Rated, And Ready To Rewrite The Rules

Jeep isn’t easing into the electric era—it’s charging straight at it with something big. The all-new 2026 Jeep Recon arrives as the first and only fully electric SUV to earn the Trail Rated badge, instantly setting it apart from every other EV on the market. This isn’t a commuter crossover with Jeep badges slapped on. It’s engineered for the dirt, for the rocks, for the backcountry—and yes, it still lets you take the doors off.

With 650 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of instant torque on tap, the Recon leaps forward with a level of control and finesse that feels tailor-made for challenging terrain. Jeep’s engineers tuned the pedal response for slow, precise modulation—exactly what you want when a single inch can mean clearing a ledge or sliding off one. It’s blisteringly quick on pavement too, cracking 0 to 60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds, but that’s almost a side note compared to its trail performance.

Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf summed it up perfectly: “The 2026 Jeep Recon is a bold step forward… It’s trail-rated, purpose-built and ready to take Jeep enthusiasts into the future without compromising the legendary performance they expect.”

Electrified Performance With Real Off-Road Cred

The Recon’s electric 4×4 system is built around front and rear 250-kilowatt electric drive modules that provide full-time capability. The Moab model pushes things even further with a 15:1 rear final drive ratio to multiply torque at the wheels, making difficult climbs feel less like a wrestling match and more like controlled forward progress. A switchable electronic rear locker provides the kind of grip you’d expect from a traditional Jeep. The rest of the hardware follows suit, with heavy-duty half shafts, stout CV joints, and steel underbody protection defending the 100-kWh battery against whatever the trail throws at it.

Its approach, breakover, and departure angles—33.8, 23.3, and 33.1 degrees respectively—combined with 9.1 inches of ground clearance and standard 33-inch tires on the Moab trim, position the Recon squarely in the company of Jeep’s most respected off-road machines.

Selec-Terrain adds personality to the powertrain with modes for Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand, and a dedicated Rock mode designed for the Moab trim. Rock mode focuses on precision, taming throttle sensitivity for tight, two-pedal driving and incorporating a hill-hold function to steady the SUV as your foot transitions from brake to accelerator. Low-speed Selec-Speed Control helps regulate momentum up or down steep terrain, letting the Recon crawl while the driver simply points the wheels.

Design: Iconic Jeep DNA With An Electric Twist

Visually, the Recon doesn’t try to reinvent the brand—it leans into the heritage. The upright face wears illuminated seven-slot grille rings and U-shaped LED running lights, while the rear showcases Wrangler-inspired LED taillamps and a swing gate that holds a full-size spare. It’s instantly recognizable as a Jeep, yet the lighting and cleaner surfacing give it a fresh, modern edge.

What truly sets the Recon apart from every electric SUV on the market is how committed it is to Jeep’s open-air philosophy. The doors come off without tools. The rear-quarter glass and swing-gate glass also pop out quickly. With the Sky One-Touch Power Top retracted or the standard dual-pane sunroof opened up, the cabin feels like a proper Jeep—exposed, airy, and ready for mud, wind, and sunlight.

The Moab trim adds visual authority through Gloss Black fascias and wheel flares, optional rock rails, and topographical-etched Jeep badging paired with an anti-glare hood graphic. Jeep will also offer a rotating palette of vibrant and rugged exterior colors, from attention-grabbing brights to earthy, utility-inspired tones.

Interior: Adventure-Ready, Comfortable, and Thoughtfully Designed

Inside, the Recon blends durability, functionality, and a welcome level of refinement. A wide, horizontal dash anchors the cabin, complete with a sturdy passenger grab handle and a clever modular accessory rail running across the top for mounting cameras, navigation units, or even a rubber duck. Surfaces feature vortex-textured materials to resist scuffs and dirt, and storage is abundant throughout. The center console alone uses a smart two-tier design to hold everything from phones to tablets, while the modular door panels use removable elastic straps to adapt to changing gear needs.

Cargo capacity is equally impressive, offering nearly 66 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded and an additional 3.0-cubic-foot frunk that’s perfectly sized for a carry-on suitcase. The Moab trim debuts a unique Joshua Tree tan interior inspired by a design team excursion to the national park, pairing earthy tones with rugged yet premium materials for an atmosphere that feels adventurous and calming all at once.

Sustainability plays a meaningful role too, with Capri synthetic upholstery and recycled content woven throughout the headliner, carpets, and floor mats. Even the sound system was reimagined for open-air driving. Jeep partnered with Alpine to create a premium standard audio system with speakers mounted under the seats instead of in the removable doors, ensuring consistent sound whether the cabin is enclosed or open to the elements.

Technology: More Screen, More Connectivity, More Capability

The Recon introduces one of Jeep’s most tech-forward cabins ever, anchored by more than 26 inches of total display area. A 12.3-inch digital cluster sits directly in front of the driver, offering sharp graphics and customizable views. Beside it, the massive 14.5-inch horizontal touchscreen—the largest usable digital display ever fitted to a Jeep—houses the latest Uconnect 5 interface. The system is bright, responsive, and designed with oversized digital buttons that remain easy to tap even on rough terrain. Digital HVAC controls keep the layout clean, though Jeep smartly retained physical knobs for key functions like volume and tuning.

The new Trails Offroad app will be a favorite among adventure-seekers, offering detailed trail guides across the U.S. and Canada along with pitch and roll data for real-time terrain awareness. EV-specific pages monitor the SUV’s state of charge, while TomTom-powered Dynamic Range Mapping helps plan trips and identify charging points with precision. Alexa integration and an enhanced Jeep smartphone app bring features like maintenance scheduling, roadside assistance, and real-time safety notifications into the mix, ensuring drivers stay connected both on and off the trail.

Pricing And Final Thoughts

The 2026 Jeep Recon will start at $65,000 before destination charges. Production begins early next year at the Toluca Assembly Plant, with the first models headed to buyers in the U.S. and Canada before expanding globally.