It appears that the Jeep Recon is getting new life. Demand for the soon to be released 2026 Recon EV has been lackluster, but Jeep confirms a gas-powered Recon is on the way. During an event in 2022, called Jeep 4xe Day, Jeep promised that it would build a pure EV based on the iconic Wrangler called the Recon. As I reported back then, Ralph Gilles said the Recon was a brother to the Wrangler. It was designed to bring the popular Wrangler attributes like removable doors and open-air roof to the all-electric market. The Recon SUV would be offered exclusively as a BEV. It was supposed to be available starting in 2024. Jeep’s parent company Stellantis has repeatedly delayed its planned EV models but said that Recon was already engineered and ready to be produced so the company was proceeding with it.
The 2026 Recon is electrified, powerful and trail ready. The Jeep Recon delivers 650 horsepower, 620 lb.-ft. of instant torque and an estimated all-electric range of up to 250 miles, plus 0-60 mph acceleration in as low as 3.6 seconds. The Recon looks similar to the Wrangler but its design is modern enough to immediately signal that it is an EV. The Recon is the only fully electric SUV designed with removable doors.
Stellantis Investor Day Brought Recon News
Buried in all of the news from Stellantis Investor Day last week was word that the Jeep Recon will get a new ICE version. Much like the Dodger Charger that debuted as an EV and then received a gas-powered engine, the Jeep Recon will start out as an EV model but a gas-powered version is already planned. It isn’t clear when we will see the ICE version of the Recon, but insiders tell me that the platform the Recon is being built on will definitely support the Stellantis 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo Engine. Jeep has not released any specifics about the gas-powered Recon.
Stellantis said this when it announced the new engine last October. “The all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo four-cylinder engine combines advanced design and engineering innovation with performance combustion technology. This new engine generates more horsepower and torque than many comparably sized and larger engines while also delivering better fuel economy and lower emissions.
The compact 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo’s output – 324 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 332 lb.-ft. from 3,000-4,500 rpm – gives it the muscle to confidently propel a variety of vehicle sizes, ranging from compact to full size.”
“The Hurricane 4 Turbo name is appropriate because this engine packs a punch, as the variable geometry turbocharger, the high-performance combustion and the twin fuel system deliver 162 horsepower per liter of displacement,” said Micky Bly, Stellantis senior vice president and head of Global Propulsion Systems. “The clean sheet design gives our customers a powerful, refined, smooth-running engine that uses 10% less fuel to deliver 20% more power than our current 2.0-liter DOHC I-4.”
The first application for the Hurricane 4 Turbo is the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine design includes flexibility for conventional, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The flexibility is important because all of the automakers appear to now be working on hybrid technology rather than focusing only on pure electric.
Interior Built for Comfort and Durability
The designers know that off-roaders often carry plenty of gear. The Jeep Recon has expanded storage and plenty of usable space. A two-tiered pass-through center console offers generous room for gear, featuring an available wireless charger on the upper level and a cord pass-through to a lower compartment. The lower area is large enough to hold tablets, purses or larger items. Modular door panels with removable elastic straps and interchangeable cargo solutions provide flexible storage. There is 65.9 cu. ft. of rear cargo space (with the second row folded) plus the front trunk (3.0 cu. ft.) can fit a carry-on suitcase.
The Jeep Recon is Loaded with Technology
The Jeep Recon has more than 26 inches of high-definition, sculpted screen space. The Recon comes with an all-new, standard, 12.3-inch driver cluster featuring customizable menu options and modern graphics. There is also a huge 14.5-inch horizontal touchscreen radio/center display, the largest singular usable digital screen space ever offered in a Jeep vehicle.
The new Jeep Trails Offroad app offers a guide to trails across the U.S. and Canada. The app now even has pitch and roll mapping, good to know when a driver is exploring unfamiliar territory. The BEV pages provide real-time insights into the vehicle’s battery charge. The Recon also has Dynamic Range Mapping to help plan trips, indicating when and where to charge.
I can’t imagine how frustrating it is for the auto companies to have wasted millions on EV development before admitting that the demand just wasn’t there. The Recon EVs are supposed to be shipping any day, no word on when we will see the gas-powered versions. If the Dodge Charger is any indication of demand, the ICE version of the Recon will have much stronger sales.
Image by Jeep
About the Author
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.
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