The Jeep Recon EV: What to Know About This Electric “Muscle SUV”

People who have been waiting for an all-electric Jeep won’t have to wait much longer. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa recently stated the manufacturer is aiming to release the Jeep Recon EV before 2024 draws to a close. Along with the Wagoneer S, the Recon represents the first fully electric Jeep model in the US following the success of the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrids, along with the electric Jeep Avenger in Europe.

There are a lot of electric vehicles for sale already, though, including many SUVs. So why should anyone who’s looking for an off-road EV to explore the Rockies wait for the Recon to arrive? The answer goes beyond just having the Jeep name. With elements of the enduring Jeep Wrangler and of muscle cars, this “muscle SUV” aims to be a big step forward in electric off-roading. Furthermore, it could well be as close as we get to an all-electric Wrangler for a while, with recent reports indicating such a vehicle won’t be coming until the late 2020s at the earliest.

What should a fan of Jeep, off-roading, and EVs expect from the Jeep Recon? We have rustled up the important things you should know about this soon-to-come machine and why it might be on your holiday shopping list for some Colorado Springs off-road exploits.

Sharing DNA With Iconic Names

The Recon is, first and foremost, an off-road vehicle. You can see it with one look at the boxy exterior, which has been described as a mash-up of the Wrangler Rubicon and the beloved Jeep Cherokee. The name is rooted in Jeep Wrangler history, too—between 2017 and 2020, Jeep offered a special Wrangler off-road package dubbed the Rubicon Recon Edition. Inspired by the Jeep heritage of adventure, the new Recon will offer a rugged counterpoint to the sleeker and more family-friendly Wagoneer S in the Jeep electric lineup.

But there’s a reason we’ve been referring to the Recon as a muscle SUV. This machine (along with the Wagoneer S) is part of the first wave of vehicles using the new Stellantis STLA Large BEV platform. Do you know what other vehicle was recently announced on the STLA Large platform? The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona—the world’s first all-electric muscle car.

That’s right: a next-generation performance EV and a next-generation off-road EV will have the same underpinnings. Who would have thought you could use the same vehicle DNA to lay down the rubber on I-25 or climb Pikes Peak? Although Recon-specific details remain sparse, we can gauge a lot based on what’s been announced about the STLA Large platform and the other vehicles it will serve as the foundation for.

Just How Powerful Is the STLA Large Platform?

When Stellantis officially revealed its new BEV platform in January 2024, two things stood out. One was the flexibility it could offer for producing sports cars, off-roaders, and more. The second was the incredible performance and range it promises. Horsepower and torque numbers weren’t specifically talked about in the release, but Stellantis claims that the best STLA Large vehicles will eventually be able to go from zero to 60 mph in less than three seconds. You may not ever get a chance to fully “open up” when you’re crawling, mudding, and bashing, but that kind of power will undoubtedly come in useful on rough terrain.

As for range, Stellantis is claiming drivers will be able to go up to 500 miles depending on the vehicle design and battery pack size. That’s a lot more time spent away from it all before needing to plug in again. With available 800-volt electric architecture for lightning-quick DC fast charging, Colorado Springs drivers won’t have to spend long in the hustle and bustle before they can get away again.

For some more clues about what the Jeep Recon will offer in the performance department, let’s turn to the forthcoming Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger. The Wagoneer S is being promoted as offering a whopping 600 hp—which should mean plenty of torque as well—and a maximum range of 400 miles. As for the Dodge Charger Daytona, it is being touted as sporting up to 670 hp and 317 miles of range.

The power output could potentially be somewhere in this territory for the Recon, at least in the top trims. It remains to be seen what battery packs will be available—Stellantis says the platform can support between 85 and 118 kWh. However, we’re betting the range will be at least as good as the Wagoneer S and possibly even better since the Recon is smaller. We’ll update the estimates as soon as we know more.

Is the Jeep Recon Trail-Ready?

In his press conference giving the new release date goal, Filosa was quoted as saying the new Jeep Recon “has the capability to cross the Rubicon,” referring, of course, to the iconic Rubicon trail that lends its name to the Wrangler Rubicon trim. Was he referring to the battery range or the off-road prowess? If we know Jeep, then it’s both.

As part of the STLA Large platform, the Recon will have a fully independent suspension. This is a notable departure from the solid axles of the Wrangler—but many off-road-ready Jeep models, from the Grand Cherokee to the Wagoneer, already use fully independent suspension. As such, this change won’t slow down the Recon and will help improve its road manners.

Jeep has also disclosed the Recon will come with electric locking differentials, off-road tires, and Jeep Selec-Terrain traction control. This trifecta will improve grip and reduce wheel spin no matter what surface is beneath you. Underbody protection will shield the drivetrain against rocks and branches. The STLA Large underpinnings can support front-wheel, rear-wheel, and four-wheel drive, but we fully expect the Recon to be four-wheel drive.

What Else Do We Know About the Jeep Recon?

A few other details are worth reporting as anticipation builds for the Jeep Recon (which will almost certainly be a 2025 model). It will have a retractable Freedom Top roof to enjoy the sun, and owners can remove the doors and glass like on the Wrangler for a true open-air ride. Eagle eyes spotted a tan interior in the initial photos released, though other colors could be offered.

On the exterior, the Jeep Recon will again call the Wrangler to mind with a rear-mounted spare tire. However, unlike the heavily flared Wrangler fenders, the Recon will have a more aerodynamic design. In the Jeep tradition, we’re expecting a lot of aftermarket parts and accessories to be offered, though the details are yet to be announced.

Go on Recon With The Faricy Boys

It may not officially have the Wrangler name on it, but it’s impossible not to see the Jeep Recon as a descendent of the Jeep Wrangler with a dash of futuristic muscle thrown in. We think that’s a pretty good combination, though. Jeep is practically a synonym for off-roading, and with the Recon, the brand will be entering the off-road BEV market with a bang.

The moment the Jeep Recon is available for purchase, we will have it here at The Faricy Boys. Visit our website or stop by our Colorado Springs dealership for more information as it comes out. You can pre-order the Jeep Recon today—give us a call, and we’ll put you on the list. We’ve been serving Colorado drivers since 1942 and will be here to help as off-roading goes electric.