New 650hp Jeep Recon is UK-bound
'The only fully electric Trail Rated SUV' has been revealed - and it's headed our way
For those that really want to off road (or want to hit 62mph in 2.5 seconds), electrification makes so much sense for SUVs. All that torque, available from zip, is a huge boon in the rough, before thinking about the torque shuffling tricks offered up by the electric G-Class’s G-Turn. It’s one of those vehicle types that really suits battery power.
So it should be no surprise to find that Jeep has now embarked on making a proper electric off-roader. This is the Recon, a 650hp SUV ‘engineered to master the gamut of today’s terrain – from urban streets to wilderness trails.’ With so much power (as well as 620lb ft), performance is in doubt - 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds - but probably of more interest will be what an electric Jeep can achieve in the rough. Especially as maximum range for the Recon is only 250 miles on its 100kWh battery. Power is made by a pair of electric drive modules rated at 250kW; the rear has an electronic locking diff that the driver can flip between open and locked, with Moab trim also adding a 15:1 final drive ratio ‘that delivers a high level of torque multiplication to help the driver power through challenging conditions.’
Regardless of spec, the Recon is kitted out with rough and tumble in mind. The battery gets lots of protection, the CV joints are said to be ‘stout’ and the half-shafts are beefed up. Jeep’s Selec-Terrain drive modes include Snow and Sand settings, with a Rock mode for Moab that includes a hill hold. That model has 33-inch tyres and 230mm of ground clearance; the off road angles are 33.8 degrees (approach), 33.1 (departure) and 23.3 (breakover). A standard four-door Wrangler, for reference, offers up 41.4 approach, 20.3 breakover and 36.1 departure. So the Recon is in the Jeep ballpark, for sure.
As well as off-roading like a Jeep, the new EV most definitely looks like one as well - the doors come off and everything. In fact Jeep seems very proud that the Recon ‘stands as the only fully electric vehicle designed with removable doors, rear quarter glass and swing gate glass. No tools are required.’ So there. Of course the seven slot grille features, as does a colour palette to put most SUVs to shame. Jeep suggests there’s a ‘colour for every personality’, from ‘vibrant hues that radiate playful energy to rugged, utility-inspired tones and refined neutrals that balance sophistication with adventure.’ Hopefully even the biggest EV cynic can concede that the doorless green one, with Joshua Tree tan leather and bikes on the roof, does look pretty cool. Nobody actually lives that lifestyle, but what a great one to aspire to.
As well as the tan, the inside of a Recon features recycled materials front the headliner to the doors, all-weather floor mats, an Alpine sound system with speakers under the seats (so you can still listen with the roof off), and an accessory rail above the dash to mount cameras. Presumably for recording off-road adventures, not crash for cash scams. According to its maker, the new Jeep’s interior ‘draws inspiration from the Jeep brand’s legendary off-road heritage’, boasting ‘durable, trail-ready materials with smart, customizable storage and cutting-edge technology, delivering a space that’s both functional and forward-thinking’. Plus absolutely acres of screen real estate, of course, including the largest digital display ever seen on a Jeep. The Trails Offroad app does sound quite good fun, though, for taking full advantage of what the Recon can offer.
“The 2026 Jeep Recon is a bold step forward for the brand, an all-electric SUV that stays true to our core values of freedom, adventure and capability. It’s trail-rated, purpose-built and ready to take Jeep enthusiasts into the future without compromising the legendary performance they expect,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. “With the Jeep Recon, we’re proving that electrification isn’t just compatible with off-road excellence, it can elevate it, delivering instant torque, precision control and a quieter, more connected driving experience that’s uniquely Jeep.” It’ll go on sale in the US early next year, priced from $65,000, but perhaps the most interesting feature of the Recon is that it’s coming to the UK - expect it here late in 2026. Just imagine the school run with the doors off…
But in the summer I'd love this with the doors off.
Agree about the mirror thing when the doors come off. Bronco's fix their mirrors to the A pillar but in reality, US drivers don't use their mirrors (or 'turn signals'). They tend to look at their phones more.
I like the look of this, but the experience has left me cold and I certainly won't be showing Mrs Freak this as she'd easily forget the issues and want this.
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