- Prototypes of the all-electric Jeep Recon have been spotted testing on public roads.
- The electric off-roader shares its STLA Large underpinnings with the Jeep Wagoneer S.
- Initially slated for a 2024 market launch, its debut now appears to face potential delays.
Jeep’s electrification strategy is starting to take shape, and the Recon is at the forefront. Positioned as a battery-powered counterpart to the Wrangler, it aims to blend off-road capability with zero-emissions performance. While its arrival has been teased since 2022, recent spy shots suggest we may have to wait a bit longer than expected for the production model.
More: New Jeep Wagoneer S Packs A 600 HP Punch, But Will It KO Tesla At $72K?
Our spy photographers caught three Jeep Recon prototypes out in the wild, offering our first and clearest look yet at its production-ready design. Spotted in different colors and sporting minimal camouflage, these testers reveal a vehicle that stays true to the prototype model we saw back in 2023. The boxy styling and off-road cues align with the renderings from the official announcement in September 2022, though whether the illuminated seven-slot grille will survive to production remains to be seen.
Off-Road DNA with an Electric Twist
Jeep is clearly intent on keeping the Recon true to its off-road roots, as evidenced by its chunky 17-inch wheels wrapped in Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires, complete with a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate.
Its rugged design embraces signature Jeep touches like removable doors, exposed hinges, and bright blue tow hooks. But there are some notable departures from the Wrangler playbook, including integrated swollen fenders that call to mind the Land Rover Defender, a wraparound greenhouse, and squared-off LED lights at both ends. It’s a mix of the familiar and the forward-thinking, but overall, it looks like an EV built for adventure.
Baldauf
Underpinning the Recon is the STLA Large platform, a versatile electric architecture from Stellantis. While Jeep has yet to reveal exact specifications, we can glean some hints from its cousin, the Jeep Wagoneer S. That model packs a 600-hp electric powertrain and a 100 kWh battery, good for over 300 miles of range. It’s uncertain whether the Recon will match these figures or prioritize off-road capability over power.
What Jeep has confirmed is that the Recon will feature off-road tech to rival the Wrangler, including an e-locker axle and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system. If you were worried the Recon might trade its trail cred for electric street smarts, fear not, it’s built to tackle the rough stuff.
An ICE Offering Rumored
However, there’s a curveball in the mix. While all the prototypes spied so far appear to be fully electric, rumors persist that Jeep may offer a combustion engine variant. This wouldn’t be unprecedented; the STLA Large platform supports ICE and hybrid powertrains, and a gas-powered Recon would expand its appeal in regions where EV charging infrastructure remains patchy.
Delayed Debut, or Just Fashionably Late?
The new Recon was originally scheduled to begin production in 2024, but rumors of delays suggest it might not beat its cousin, the Jeep Wagoneer S, which has reportedly faced delays of its own, to the market. If true, this pushes the Recon’s launch further into 2025. For a vehicle so tied to Jeep’s electrification ambitions, it’s a curious setback. Then again, delays are practically a rite of passage in the automotive world, especially when it comes to EVs.
