2027 Jeep Recon EV First Drive: The Most Sophisticated Jeep Ever Is a Delightful Pod of Clever FunA Girls Guide to CarsScotty ReissWed, September 9, 2026 at 3:01 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleScotty ReissThe first electric off-roader from Jeep delivers on all the delights of the Wrangler but with a more modern aesthetic and functional focus. But is the EV range too low to make it to the trail and back?My love/hate relationship with the Jeep Wrangler starts with its capability: Every time I get into a Wrangler, I just want to drive. Find a hill to climb, put the top back and soak in the sun. Climb a challenging trail and test my skills. Let it rip on a dirt road. Get lost. Unplug. Verdict: Love.But most of my drives are more mundane: to the airport, the grocery store, the mall, downtown to an event. Many of these drives are in cold weather, on gray days, in heavy traffic or rain. And the Jeep Wrangler's interiors feel more 'vintage' than 'modern car': a small screen, hefty control dials and no interior color choices; it's all black. Plus, it's loud at high speeds. Verdict: Hate.AdvertisementAdvertisementCould the Jeep Recon Moab, priced at about $65K, be the perfect blend of the two?This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Jeep's guest for this test drive but all opinions are my own.Is the Jeep Recon a Modern, Tech-Focused Wrangler?The view from the driver's seat in the 2027 Jeep ReconYou could think of it that way. If you're like me, you need your car to pamper you for the hundreds of hours you're in it. It can evoke the promise of something you'd rather be doing, but that can't be all it does. And that's what struck me most about the Jeep Recon when I spent the day with the first model to debut, the off-road-capable Moab edition. The Recon delivers all the cozy comforts and seamless tech functions for daily driving, after-school pickups and cold rainy day routines. It has its drawbacks, like any SUV, but it also delights with all the clever things it does. AdvertisementAdvertisementHere's the need-to-know on the Jeep Recon:It's powered by a dual-motor electric powertrain It generates 670 HP and 620 pound-feet of torqueIt has an electric range of 222 miles in the Moab edition; the Overland (to be released later in 2027) will have a range of about 240 milesStandard features on our Moab model include 4WD, a surround view camera, glass panoramic sunroof, skid plates, tow hooks, all-terrain tires and removable doors and windowsIt's equipped with a modern command center and tech; a 14.5″ touchscreen anchors the dashboard and a 12″ driver's display sits over the steering wheel;It seats 5 in a very spacious cabinIt fits child passenger car seats quite well with two lower anchors and a comfortably wide middle seat; I measured 33" behind a relatively tall passenger, so there's ample space for rear-facing seatsIt has a ground clearance of 9.1", giving it comfortable off-road capability Drive modes include the Jeep standards: Auto, Sport, Sand, Snow, and Rock/Mud and it has an electronic rear-locking differential Max brake regeneration mode is found on the center screen under the Driving menu; the system defaults to a mild regeneration mode, so it needs to be selected each time the car is started to use itThe Recon is about 5" longer than the WranglerIt has a solid body with removable windows and doorsThe arm rest/center console box is lockableJeep is planning a gas-powered version but so far, not a hybrid (though we hope they add one)Comparing the Recon to the Wrangler might not be fair for the Wrangler's decidedly old-school look and feel versus the modern form and function of the Recon. But there's one comparison I just can't get past: The Wrangler 392, the most powerful V8-driven model producing 470 HP, costs about $15K more than the Recon Moab, which is the top of the line. Power-for-power, Recon poses quite a lucrative offer. Read: Is This the Ultimate Jeep? Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Adds HEMI Muscle to This Off Road MasterThe Jeep Recon's Delights Catapult it Into the FutureMaybe the best color in the whole 2027 Jeep Recon lineup is called JooseDelight is the word that comes to mind most when I start to describe the Jeep Recon. It's simply filled with fun, delightful features. It starts with the exterior paint palette. The standard colors—silver, gray, black, white—are offered, but Jeep supplements these with a bright orange called Joose, an Army-inspired '41 Green, a deeply hued Hydro Blue and a sharp red called Red Hot. All exterior colors are offered in two-tone, which is essentially a colored body and a black roof (there's no charge for this in white, blue and red; other two-tone options are priced from $595-$995)AdvertisementAdvertisementBut the big news is on the interior: You can go for standard black (which is all that's offered on Wrangler) or go for the earthy, camel-hued Joshua Tree option. Seats and many of the interior surfaces are finished in leatherette that is a convincing leather dupe. I found the heated front seats to be comfortable and supportive, both for a full day of driving and on the off-road course. Read: Jeep Wagoneer S First Drive: All the Jeep Love, ElectrifiedGreat Tech Advances the Feel of This Jeep Off-RoaderThe Fam Cam rear cabin camera in the 2027 Jeep ReconEvery model carries the 14.5" multimedia screen that we've seen in some other new models from Jeep. The function is multi-layered and responsive. It has a "Hey Jeep" voice function, which is great, though it doesn't always feel as advanced as some other systems; I'm sure it'll get there soon as AI plants its roots. The center screen is where you'll find the standard surround view camera and settings for EV driving, navigation, music and setting up your Recon. Our model had the "Fam Cam" feature, which allows you to see into the rear seat or cargo area, a great feature for families with kids in car seats.Just below it, the center console is cleverly designed to hold a single phone on a wireless charge pad; there's a pass-through to the open space under the console so you can stow a phone there and thread your charge cord through to plug it into one of the USB-C ports. The upper console is also where you'll find the gear selector, drive mode options and the hexagonal stop/start button.Removing the Doors and Windows—Without Tools! I removed the door on the 2027 Jeep Recon but it was easier with a little helpThe idea of open-air driving is core to the Jeep Recon; there are actually a few options to make this happen and they're all pretty clever.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe most stunning thing is that all the doors can be removed without tools. Just roll down the window, open the door, remove the cover over the wiring harness and unplug it, unhook the fabric tether, unlatch the clip on the door extender bar and open the door past 90 degrees. Then, placing one hand on the grip under the door pocket and the other on the window sill, lift the door off its hinges. It can take a bit of practice to get the routine down, especially getting the door back on its hinge pins for re-attaching it, but the lack of tools is a nice bonus.I removed one of the doors and found it doable, but it takes a bit of muscle; these doors weigh 65+ pounds. The doors can be stowed in the cargo area; Jeep provides storage bags so they don't get damaged. It's also worth noting that the hinges for the doors extend a couple of inches out from the frame and are not movable, so they should be considered when off-roading or loading things into the Recon.Until recently, Jeep required a tool kit to remove the doors. It wasn't all that pricey, at about $200, but the more cumbersome thing is: tools. They can get lost or broken and replacement tools may not work properly. It's nice to know you don't need tools to really open up the Recon's cabin.More Smart Solutions to Accommodate the Removable Doors The interior of the 2027 Jeep Recon with the power-opening soft topThe idea of removing the doors poses other issues: What to do about power windows and locks? What about speakers, which usually sit in the door panels? And, the Recon has electric doors. How does that work? AdvertisementAdvertisementJeep kept the power door release, windows and locks in the Recon's doors; the un-pluggable wiring harness, which has a cover so it won't get wet should you find water, makes this possible. The speakers were a different thing: Without doors, there would be no sound from speakers in the door. So Jeep relocated the speakers to under the seats. You'd never know it if you weren't told, though. Another issue for driving doorless is side mirrors, generally required for street driving (though the rear view mirror may be a substitute). Drivers who want to go door-free but keep the side mirrors can add a mirror kit for an additional $695. This will take a few tools, but it allows you to leave the doors off all the time if you'd like and still have all your safety equipment. Removing the Windows Is Much EasierRemoving the windows was much easier than taking the doors off in the 2027 Jeep ReconThis is one of my favorite details: taking out the windows. The three rear windows—the tailgate and the two cargo-area windows—can be released and removed; just press the button on the handle, move it a quarter turn and the window, which sits on two pins, will lean slightly from the car's frame. Walk around and lift it out; they store in a bag in the cargo area.And, taking out the rear windows is almost a better option than taking off the doors, which is cumbersome and takes some work. Roll down the windows, open the sunroof and remove the rear windows for an easy open-air feel. Opt for the power cloth Bimini-style roof (a $1,995 option), and you can go open air in just a few minutes. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe one thing that the Recon doesn't do is fold the windshield the way the Wrangler does. But the Wrangler is the only SUV that does this and honestly, with all the technology features and other things in the Recon that need protection, it's probably better that it doesn't. Taking the Jeep Recon On the Highway and Off-Road Course Driving the 2027 Jeep Recon through a muddy pitHopping into the Jeep Recon was a natural; just start it and off you go. There wasn't much of a learning curve, which I really appreciate. I did tap the center screen to find max regen mode, which I prefer when driving an EV. But it takes getting used to, learning to anticipate easing off the accelerator and when to use the brake. In standard regen mode, the Recon drove more like the Jeeps we're accustomed to driving. On the highway, I could feel the Recon's shape and size. Like the Wrangler, its height and size give pause at taking on curves at high speed despite its incredible horsepower, which is better suited for off-road or driving on a flat, straight highway. My drive partner found the Recon to be a bit undisciplined, with more lean and body roll, and maybe a bit too assertive in its brake regeneration and handling at higher speeds. On the off-road course, though, the Recon really shines. I loved—really, really loved—its performance off-road. The Recon's power delivery was perfect and the lack of need to hit the brake means more control over hill climbs, rocks and through wet or muddy pits. AdvertisementAdvertisementI took off on a several-mile climb by myself and found the front-facing cameras, the 4WD and occasionally, mud/rock mode to be helpful. But for the most part, the dual motor EV powertrain did most of the work for me without the extras. And in its silence, summiting the 3,000-foot elevation was a full-grin moment. We Have to Talk About This EV Range The EV screen is where you can set one-pedal driving in the 2027 Jeep ReconI don't usually dig too much into an EV's driving range; it is what it is and most drivers figure out how to make it work. But in the Jeep Recon, the 222-mile range paired with what this SUV is intended to do is a bigger consideration. The Recon's range is on the low side. The Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Daytona, which are built on the same platform, have an EPA range of about 300 miles—quite a bit more than the Jeep Recon. And the Recon is designed to go off-road; the places you'll want to take it could be far from a public charger. The EV powertrain poses significant challenges to how and where you'll take it; an electric cord tethers it much closer to home than a gas-powered Jeep. Taking it to the classic off-road destinations could be more challenging than the trails themselves. But then again, I've driven to far-flung places like Death Valley and Yellowstone and seen Teslas on the road; so people have figured out how to make it work and I'm sure there'll be some Recon owners in that group soon, too.However, a gas-powered option will be on offer soon, and this will likely be the Recon that proves more popular. It'll cancel out some of the delights of the EV version, but those who can figure out the charging/range issue will benefit on the trail with that seamless power and silent drive. But those who want to spend a week off the grid and need gas to fuel that adventure will have that option, too. Is This the Best Value Jeep in the Family?Where you can go in the 2027 Jeep ReconThe Jeep Recon Moab we drove has a starting price of $65,000; add the $1,995 destination charge and a couple of packages and our test model came to about $69,585. Ours was equipped with a standard sunroof, but I'd seriously consider the Bimini cloth top for $1,995; yes, it's a pricey option, but it's a one-touch electric top and it fully opens up the roof while the glass roof does not.AdvertisementAdvertisementOur model was equipped with the Recon Comfort package for $1,995; that package adds vented front seats, heated second row seats, a digital rear view mirror and a "fam cam" interior camera that allows you to see rear seat passengers and the cargo area on the front screen. If you're planning on taking the windows off or installing rear-facing car seats, this is a good investment. Jeep will announce an Overland edition later in 2027; it should be less off-road focused and will have a slightly longer range and likely a lower price. Meaning it could be an even better deal compared to the Wrangler (or Grand Cherokee).But is the Jeep Recon a good deal? If you compare power-for-power with the Wrangler 392, it's hard to argue: 200 more HP than the 392 for $15K less. Add in the larger, more functional screens, the leatherette interior, the power roof options, more cargo space and of course, the removable windows and doors, and the Recon will have you dreaming of climbing in and heading for your favorite trail. After school drop-offs and morning errands, that is.Related HeadlinesAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2026 Ford Expedition Tremor 3-Row SUV Brings Big-Rig Muscle to Everyday ComfortI Drove the Range Rover Electric Luxury SUV and This is What You'll Love About ItThe 2026 Toyota C-HR XSE All-Electric SUV is a Delightful Spin on a Quirky ClassicRead more at A Girls Guide to Cars