2026 Jeep Recon

The Jeep Recon feels like a bit of a conundrum. It’s very much a Jeep, with its removable doors and windows and retractable roof. This makes it the first open-air off-road electric vehicle. What a huge selling point. It also gets massive power and torque. This makes it quick on the road and capable off road. While it doesn’t have class-leading ground clearance, something you could use in your off-roader, it still achieves excellent approach, departure, and breakover angles. That’s something you really want in an off-road fun-mobile.

However, the Recon does not feel spry at over 6,100 pounds. That weight, combined with its big power and all-terrain tires can, under certain circumstances, feel like a tricky physics equation. Range might be another hiccup. At only 220 miles for the launch Moab edition, that feels on the low side, especially for an adventuring conveyance. The other open-air elephant in the room is the price. At almost $70,000, Jeep might have priced themselves into a tight spot. Other EV competitors, including the also-new Rivian R2, may not have nearly the view out but come in significantly under that budget.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric SUVs, including the new Jeep Recon.

The 2026 Jeep Recon is an all-new vehicle for the Trail Rated brand. Its dual-motor setup is supported by a 400-volt architecture. The launch edition Moab trim gets a maximum 222 miles of range. Charging times from 5% to 80% will take around 28 minutes.

Like its Wrangler cousin, the Recon’s doors are removable, but it takes things a step further. The rear windows can also be removed. With the available sliding cloth roof, this gives the Recon a completely open feel. Thanks to its power, it can explode from zero-to-60 mph in under four seconds but can also traverse steep inclines and ford two feet of water.

Despite the Recon being an EV, it still drives very much like a Jeep. It’s five inches longer than the 4-door Wrangler and enjoys many of the same characteristics. Its off-road suspension gives it a body-on-frame feel — more like a truck than a car or SUV. The all-terrain tires on the Moab trim, which is the launch edition for 2026, add to that driving feel.

With its 670 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque, the Recon counts itself as one of Jeep’s most powerful vehicles. It sprints from zero-to-60 in under four seconds. For an SUV with a curb weight of 6,100 pounds, that’s quick. And with that much weight under that much load, you may well experience slight hesitation in grip. With its off-road-tuned suspension, if you’re driving spiritedly, there can be amplified reverb in the suspension’s recovery — on several occasions a secondary movement off either an imperfection in the road or a quick turn at speed was experienced. It’s simply a great deal of power, a lot of weight, and when you add all-terrain tires to the equation, you’re going to get some bump steer.

Under normal driving conditions, on a highway or around town, the forward of the Recon’s two motors will disconnect. This saves energy, making it as efficient as possible. With a range of only 222 miles (240 in the not-yet-available Overland trim) you’re looking to save every mile you can. Where the Wrangler’s steering feels like babysitting a toddler, the Recon has little-to-no dead spot on center. It’s got excellent weight and handles nicely. Regenerative braking has two settings: max or min. The latter is the default. The brakes grab hard at the top of the pedal and feel substantial enough to stop all that power and weight without incident.

Off-road, the Recon feels nimble and capable. It handles steep ascents well. It only gets 9.1-inches of ground clearance, but because of its short forward and aft overhangs and 33-inch all-terrain tires, its off-road geometry is competitive. You can still do some challenging trail driving. And remember: You don’t have to contend with tearing into oil pans or fuel tanks. The Recon can also ford up to two feet of water.

The unique part of the Recon drive is that open-air experience. Whether folks on an off-road trail will remove all doors and windows, allowing in trail dust or debris, remains to be seen. But it’s a novel look and a catchy idea.

There are two interior color options — black and tan. Both are done in synthetic, sustainable materials that look upscale and expensive. They will also handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it. The finishes and materials give the Recon a rugged but polished look. There are plastics, but they are textured and patterned in a way pleasing to the eye. It’s utilitarian interior, but a handsome one.

Every Recon gets a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 and a native navigation system. You get wireless smartphone integration with a rubberized charge station, so the phone doesn’t slosh around. The Recon comes replete with USB-C charge ports, and excellent storage cubbies abound.

Despite being an outdoor experience, with no speakers in the doors for obvious reasons, the Alpine audio system’s well-placed speakers still pump out tunes to get you rocking on the trail. You can buy packages, including the Comfort package. This costs $2,000 and includes second-row heated seats, an interior rear-facing camera, and ventilated front seats.

Open-air driving

Complete open-air driving might be the Recon’s strongest selling point. The doors and windows can easily be removed, with no tools required. You have no reinforcing B-pillar acting as a roll cage. Nothing impedes your view. It’s a great way to experience the great outdoors from inside your SUV.

Great tech

The Recon gets a 14.5-inch touchscreen with a native navigation component on the Unconnect5 infotainment system. It will help you pre-plan a road trip route and let you know when you’ll be needing a charge. At that location, it will also help you figure out where to go to get one.

Huge power

We’ve already mentioned this SUV has power, but it’s also got to be one of our favorite features. That 670 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque can move a lot. And that’s a good thing, because, also as mentioned, the Recon weighs quite a bit. We appreciate the responsiveness of the powertrain, though, and with the windows and doors off, it gets whatever hair you’ve got blowing around quickly.

Powertrain: 400v Dual motor; 100 kWh battery

Horsepower/torque: 670 hp/620 lb-ft

Range: 222-mile range (240 miles for Overland model)