In the coming years, Jeep's Parent company Stellantis is cooking up several electrified and pure electric vehicles across their brands and lineups. The menu will include everything, from a production version of the Chrysler Airflow Concept to an electric RAM truck. The current Jeep Wrangler 4xe has proven an instant hit. It is currently the best-selling plug-in hybrid in North America and Europe, proving the consumer's positive reception of electrified Jeeps.
Now, Jeep is ready to go all in with four fully electric models, including the Jeep Recon and the luxury Jeep Grand Wagoneer S, with expected availability in 2024. The Jeep Recon will be a Wrangler-inspired off-road vehicle and an EV off-roading enthusiasts should consider buying once it hits the market.
10 The Jeep Recon Promises The Wrangler’s Capability
Off-road enthusiasts have grown accustomed to the Jeep Wrangler's bare knuckles off-road capabilities. Since it entered the market in 1987, It has remained the gold standard for rugged versatility and go-anywhere SUVs. Jeep promises that the Recon will come with the capabilities of its iconic sibling.
It will be a true Jeep with terrific capabilities. But with the unibody construction, it might shed the firm ride, cumbersome handling, and noisy interior that make the Wrangler lose its daily driving charm.
9 The Jeep Recon Has Rugged Off-road Aesthetics
The photographs of the Jeep Recon released so far show strong aesthetic influences from the Jeep Wrangler. It is designed in the same studio as the Wrangler and features similar dimensions and proportions. It receives several Wrangler-like features bar the name.
Also, it receives the big Wrangler signature two-box silhouette, tires, long-travel suspension, and wider approach, departure, and brake-over angles. But, it has less aggressive fenders and a lower beltline thanks to the battery packs tucked in its belly.
8 The Jeep Recon Comes With An Advanced Chassis
The chassis is one of the few differentiating factors between the Recon and the Wrangler. The former gets the all-new STLA platform Stellantis aims to use on its new crop of electric vehicles. It will come in four sizes, the STLA small, STLA Medium, STLA Large, and the body on frame STLA Frame.
The Jeep Recon will feature the STLA Large, one of the most interesting options that will underpin All-wheel drive performance vehicles and American muscle cars from the company. Jeep claims the platforms will come with a high level of flexibility and component sharing across the board, which reduces complexity and enables economies of scale.
7 A Capable Ford Bronco Sport Rival
Ford went against the norm and proved there is a wide market for a unibody 4x4 SUV after building the Bronco Sport. It is the only model on the new Bronco lineup not to feature a body-on-frame construction. For now, the Ford Bronco Sport has a free run in this crucial niche, but the Jeep Recon seeks to turn up the competition.
The Jeep Recon will prove an important addition as it helps free up the Wrangler to continue dominating as Jeep's aggressive flagship SUV into the near future.
6 An All-Electric Spiritual Successor To The Wrangler
Jeep has already reiterated that the new EV is an addition to the lineup, not a replacement for the legendary Wrangler. The nameplate's diehards and off-road enthusiasts will love knowing it is here to stay, at least for a few more years. But when it does take a bow, the Recon presents a perfect all-electric spiritual successor to the Wrangler.
Also, if the Recon proves a hit in the market, it will pave an easier route for the Wrangler to go full EV, perhaps with the STLA Frame platform.
5 The Jeep Recon Will Come Equipped For Crawling
Hopefully, the Recon's capabilities will match those of the Wrangler, as Jeep claims. It will make it a perfect silent and safe-for-the-environment tool for the adventurous folks who love mudding, trail riding, and having a go at the sandy beaches. Also, the Jeep Recon will come readily equipped to tackle rock crawling, one of the most challenging off-roading forms.
Due to the unibody construction, some believe the Recon won't be as hardcore as the Wrangler, which delivers a best-in-class crawl ratio. But it is 2022, material science is much advanced, and new unibody constructions are as strong, rigid, and durable as their traditional tough guys.
4 Jeep Promises Class-Leading Battery Range
Range anxiety is one of the main obstacles to EV adoption. But the technology has undergone rapid development since the early 2010s, and today we have new EVs coming with over 300 miles of driving range. Stellantis promises long ranges between 300 and 500 miles with their new platform, featuring two battery cell chemistries to ensure affordability.
Traveling range is especially key for off-road vehicles because drivers often venture into isolated areas without access to electric refills. Built, Jeep promises the Recon can cross the challenging Rubicon Trail with enough range left to drive back to town.
3 The Recon Comes With An Independent Suspension
The Wrangler is one of the last modern mid-size SUVs sold with solid front and rear axles, making them sturdier and great for rock crawling and other extreme activities. But that makes for uncomfortable road manners.
The Recon will feature an independent suspension. There is a market for these unibody SUVs with independent suspensions, including off-roading enthusiasts who probably spend more time on the road with the vehicle than on the trails.
2 Jeep Recon's Power And Performance
Jeep hasn't given us many technical details about the Recon, but there are good signs. Stellantis confirmed that the STLA platform would feature three electric drive modules ranging from 70kw to 330kw to enhance modularity and performance, with front, rear, and all-wheel drive propulsion. The Recon will most likely feature the AWD.
Stellantis promises class-leading fast charging, best-in-class efficiency per kilometer, and 0-62mph acceleration as low as 2 seconds. Be on the alert for new Hot Cars articles on the Recons. We will keep updating the Recon's performance, charging, interior, and more information as it becomes available.
1 Paves The Way For Hardcore Electrified Off-Roading
The electric revolution is shaking every segment and sub-segment in the automotive world, from mopeds to long-haul trucks. It is still early, so gearheads wonder whether they'll have to drop some of their hobbies when gasoline vehicles phase out. But the incoming Jeep Recon is a piece of good news that the future of hardcore off-roading might be safe with electrification.
Also, EVs are less likely to break down than gas-powered cars, so they will bring along an extra piece of mind when tackling the trails.