Tested: 2026 Jeep Recon Moab Is Flawed But FunRoad & TrackTested By Zac PalmerWed, September 9, 2026 at 7:04 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleTested: 2026 Jeep Recon Moab Is Flawed But FunZac PalmerThe 2026 Jeep Recon is a two-row SUV about the same size as the popular Grand Cherokee, wears an instantly recognizable, boxy exterior, has removable doors like a Wrangler, and comes with 670 horsepower. Sounds like a winner, right? It's also fully electric, which could be the whole point to some, but the biggest detractor for so many others. To say Stellantis has had a rough time rolling out and selling its vehicles on the STLA Large platform the Recon sits on would be an understatement. That said, the Recon isn't trying to live up to a certain set of expectations like the Dodge Charger Daytona was, so perhaps there's some light at the end of this EV tunnel.Our expert editors test every vehicle we review. Read more about how we test and review cars here.The LowdownZac PalmerThere's only one version of the Recon to start, and that's the most off-road-ready trim: the Moab. Jeep promises an on-road-focused Overland trim is coming, but the Moab is the only version available to drive right now. Only one powertrain is here, too, this being a dual-motor setup, giving the Recon all-wheel drive. Combined, the two (identical) motors produce 670 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque. If that horsepower figure sounds familiar it's the same output as the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, a car this Jeep shares plenty with. Of course, the point of the Jeep is to go off-road, not hit the dragstrip. To help that, Jeep distributes power to the rear wheels via an electronic locking differential that can be locked via a switch in the cabin. Power to the front wheels simply flows through an open differential. In other words, the Recon is no electric Jeep Wrangler from a mechanical standpoint, so don't expect similar off-road capability.AdvertisementAdvertisementVehicle tested: 2026 Jeep Recon MoabBase Price: $66,995Price as tested: $73,075Location: Healdsburg, CAHow Does It Drive?JeepMy first thought pulling onto the road in the Recon Moab is that this SUV is one beefy customer. It's long, wide, and upright, and unlike some EVs that mask their mass, the 6112-pound curb weight is evident in the Recon's every move.Engineered for far more axle articulation and off-road readiness than most electric SUVs, the Moab has specific damper and spring tuning that pairs with the 33-inch all-terrain rubber. Its ride was perfectly fine over sharp highway joints or potholes, but whoops and road undulations threw it for a loop. Head toss is surprisingly severe, as the big body struggled to settle itself. There are secondary, then tertiary suspension movements before the Recon seems to come back to an equilibrium. I have a hardy stomach, but I wouldn't be surprised if those less blessed find the Recon to be too bouncy.Away from the common ups and downs of a country road, the acceleration is hilariously quick, just like the 3.6-second 0-60 mph suggests. Jeep notes you need to be in Sport mode to accomplish that time, but this SUV moves with authority no matter the drive mode. The front end raises up upon smacking the throttle, then the nose buries itself into the pavement when hopping on the brakes, but these movements are far more controlled. I even started to have a bit of fun on the winding Northern California roads I drove the car on. Its battery under the cabin supplies the Recon with an unnaturally low center of gravity for an off-road-focused vehicle, and gave me confidence to pick the pace up. The low-grip all-terrain tires were seemingly at odds with the chassis's go-faster vibes; tempering enthusiasm is a must.After an hour of carving through wine country, Jeep let me loose on a mountainous ranch full of obstacles to test the Recon's mettle. The Moab has a healthy 9.1 inches of ground clearance (the Overland drops down to just 8.0 inches), and short overhangs mean respectable approach and departure angles (33.8 and 33.1, respectively). Jeep hardens the whole underbody with steel skid plates that I found a couple of times, and the battery pack is uniquely sealed to help achieve the 24 inches of water fording. Jeep Selec-Terrain drive modes are present, too, with the Moab trim adding Rock mode to the Auto, Sport, Snow, and Sand available on the Overland. It also has low-speed cruise control, and the Rock mode has a hill hold feature.Jeep gives the Recon its "Trail Rated" designation, which should tell you it means business. Testing saw the engineering team complete all sorts of famous off-road trails, one of those being the ominous Hell's Revenge. The work put in to make the Recon legitimately useful off-road is plenty evident on the ranch. That annoying on-road ride results in a forgiving and controlled ride off-road. And no, articulation is nothing like a Wrangler or body-on-frame off-roader like the Toyota 4Runner, but the Recon still managed some steep moguls with ease. Getting all 6112 pounds to crash down to the earth gently was a steep task, but the Recon never felt out of place on the moderately difficult terrain Jeep put us against. My biggest beef throughout the whole trail was simply pedal tuning. The throttle was too touchy in every mode. And while the electronic locker does the job in getting power to the wheel on the ground, it takes a good moment to think about the task before providing the forward motion I'm asking for.What's It Like to Live With?Zac PalmerThe biggest problem with the Recon Moab is almost certainly going to be its subpar 222-mile EPA range rating. Its closest competition, the Rivian R2 Performance, is launching with 307 miles of range when equipped with all-terrain tires. That SUV both costs less and has a much smaller battery pack, and that's only the start of it. The Recon is a deeply inefficient EV with a 0.404 coefficient of drag. In cold, winter temperatures at highway speed, I suspect most will be lucky to get more than 150 miles out of the Moab, and that's just not enough for a nearly-$70,000 EV.I wish I could say the charging specs save it, but the STLA Large platform uses a 400-volt charging architecture, allowing for a 5-80% charge in 28 minutes. Waiting for the Overland won't help much either, as this all-season tire-equipped variant is only rated for 240 miles of range.JeepBefore you get too gloomy about the Recon, however, there's a fun factor here that other EVs simply don't offer: You can take off the doors. Not only can the doors be removed, but the rear glass and rearmost windows can be popped off too. Combine this with the optional SkyView OneTouch top also seen on the Wrangler, and arguably, the Recon counts as a full-blown convertible. The experience is right on par with the Wrangler or Bronco with all extremities removed, and Jeep did an excellent job of making removing the doors and windows a tool-free, easy job that anyone capable of lifting up to 70 pounds (the weight of the front doors) can do. There's no convenient place to put the doors or windows once they're gone, but that's tomorrow's problem.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe rest of the interior isn't so Wrangler-like, with a massive 14.5-inch touchscreen serving as the car's command center. Delightfully, it has permanent climate controls with big icons I found plenty easy to use. It's the first Jeep this new tech suite (also consisting of a 12.3-inch digital cluster) is being implemented in, and it's a winner.Thoughtful touches are just about everywhere you look, with a modular accessory rail on the dash to mount a camera (or ducks, whatever you want), a pass-through center console for storage, and modular door panels with elastic straps you can tweak to your specific use case. My test vehicle happened to be equipped with the black interior, but the Joshua Tree tan upholstery amps up the sensation of luxury. Jeep also made sure to mention that with the lie-flat second-row down, you can fit up to 55 cases of wine in the back through the swing-out tailgate. There's even a tiny frunk that's just large enough to house a charging cord.Should I Buy One?Zac PalmerLike the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Jeep Recon is plagued with some big negatives that make it a tough proposition as an EV. That range figure is abysmal in 2026. The charging is mediocre at best, and its awkward ride is impossible to look past. But on the other hand, the doors come off; it has 670 horsepower, and it's plenty capable off-road to wear the Jeep badge with pride. Its exterior design may not be efficient, but the boxy SUV looks badass on the trail or on the driveway. It's distinctly Jeep with the illuminated seven-slot grille, and per Jeep tradition, there's a long list of colors to choose from. I'm a sucker for the optional steelie-look wheels optioned on the one I drove.This electric Jeep is a touch of an enigma. It even feels a little confused at what exactly it wants to be. The price at $66,995 is way too high for what it offers, but there's sadly no federal tax credit to help lessen the blow. We'll be counting down the days until we can put it up against the Rivian R2, another off-road-focused EV with great promise.Highlights and LowlightsWe Love:•It's a convertible, and you can take the doors off. Epic!•The 670 horsepower is surely unnecessary, but it's also hilariously good fun.•Many thoughtful utility features and Easter Eggs in Jeep's characterful way.We Don't:•Range and charging specs simply don't measure up.•Its on-road ride suffers to make it good on the trail.•Jeep needs a starting price at least $10,000 less.Favorite Detail:Zac PalmerThe drive-mode-switch panel is finished in red, making it stand out in an otherwise largely monotone interior. This splash of color caught my eye every time I got in and out, instantly drawing attention to the fact that this isn't just any other electric SUV. All of your drive modes and activation of the electronic locker are adjustable by the two chunky switches in this panel.AdvertisementAdvertisementYou Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State