I’ve been a Jeep fan all my life. I owned a 1967 Jeepster Commando with a Dauntless mill, which I drove 250kms home, heater-less in the middle of a blizzard (-20 C), smile frozen on my face. I almost bought a 4XE but thought the EV was not what I thought it could be. I view the Recon differently.
The Recon is the most eagerly anticipated Stellantis EV and arguably the most important: it is Jeep’s answer to the question of whether serious off-roading can survive electrification. Positioned as the spiritual successor to the Wrangler, it sits on the STLA Large platform and was officially detailed in late 2025.
Recon EV
The future of EV off-road
Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
| Platform | STLA Large (400V) |
| Battery | 100 kWh |
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor AWD (standard) |
| Power | 650 hp |
| Torque | 620 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph | 3.6 seconds |
| Range (est.) | ~250 miles (Jeep estimate) |
| Off-road tech | Electronic locking rear differential, dedicated trail modes |
| Screens | 12.3-inch digital cluster, 14.5-inch infotainment |
| Production | Toluca, Mexico |
What we like
The Recon makes a compelling case for electric off-roading. Instant torque delivery is a genuine advantage over combustion rivals in low-speed crawling scenarios torque vectoring and an electronic locking rear differential mean either rear wheel can receive full torque even if one is airborne or spinning on loose terrain. The 650 hp and 620 lb-ft figures are staggering for an off-roader, and the 3.6-second 0–60 time is almost irrelevant in this context though it does confirm the hardware is serious. The removable doors, consistent with Wrangler DNA, are confirmed. The STLA Large platform also provides a low center of gravity by packaging the battery in the floor.
Meh…
The Recon’s key vulnerability is shared with its platform siblings: software. The Wagoneer S was described by Consumer Reports as an “unfinished product,” and the Charger Daytona suffered laggy, buggy software during press testing. For a vehicle intended to be driven deep into the wilderness, software reliability is not optional. Jeep has stated awareness of the issue, and the Recon’s later launch gives it more time to address it. The 250-mile range estimate is also modest and off-road use will reduce it significantly.
Rivals
Ford Bronco EV (forthcoming) the most direct rival conceptually
Rivian R1S more refined, longer range (~314 miles EPA), superior software, but costlier (~$75,000+) and less trail-oriented in philosophy
Land Rover Defender PHEV combustion-assisted range flexibility, legendary off-road capability, but far pricier
Verdict
The Recon is a bold, necessary product for Jeep. If Stellantis can nail the software, it could be transformative. If it launches with the same glitches as the Wagoneer S, it risks damaging the brand’s most sacred territory.
★★★★ (potential)
★★★ (current software risk)
