The Obstacles of Low Range and High Price: 2026 Jeep Recon EV DrivenCar and DriverThe EditorsWed, September 9, 2026 at 4:01 AM UTCAdd us on Google2026 Jeep Recon Drive: Low Range and High PriceJeepFeeling beaten down by work and the urban grind? You need a bath. A forest bath. Despite what it sounds like, "forest bathing" is not the act of washing up among the trees. No loofahs or bathtubs are required. Shinrin-yoku is a wellness trend that started in Japan and is finding global interest among nature lovers who need a break from more extreme outdoors activities. It's not about exercise or competition so much as letting the dappled light and loamy air of serene surroundings wash away the hustle and grime of big-city life.The 2026 Jeep Recon would be an excellent vehicle for forest bathing, not because it's incapable of challenging off-roading, but because its electric powertrain and open-air cabin options are so well suited to a gentle exploration. It's also stonking quick if you're not into every aspect of the slow life, with a not-so-zen 670 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque.JeepThe Recon looks like the Wranglers and Cherokees of yore with a boxy profile, square headlights, and a lit-up, modernized version of the classic seven-slot Jeep grille. It shares a platform with the currently on-pause Jeep Wagoneer S, making it a little longer than the classic Jeep, at 193.3 inches overall against a four-door Wrangler Unlimited's 188.4 inches. Unlike the more luxury-focused Wagoneer S, the Recon is chunky and rugged, offering off-road-friendly stats like 9.1 inches of ground clearance, a 33.8-degree approach angle, a 33.1-degree departure angle, and a 23.3-degree breakover angle.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Recon will clear obstacles in a hurry thanks to two 335-hp electric motors (providing all-wheel drive) paired with a 400-volt 94.1-kWh battery. The combo is good for those impressive aforementioned power numbers and a manufacturer-estimated 3.6-second sprint to 60. Did we mention it's on 33-inch all-terrain tires? On the road, the Recon accelerates and merges as if it's not shaped and weighted like a cinder block.The Recon also deviates from its Wrangler cousins in steering and handling. There's none of the wander or wobble that famously bonds Wrangler fans and sends haters to Ford dealers. The Recon tucks into turns and accelerates without a wiggle, although rough roads produced a bit of back-end bounce, an occasional reminder that we were in a vehicle sprung for off-road pursuits.JeepThe downside of a bricky design on knobby tires is a thirst for electrons. The Recon only promises 222 miles of estimated range in the Moab trim we drove, and things likely won't improve much with the upcoming Overland model. Jeep says off-road regen makes the Recon more efficient than it seems on paper, which may be true, but that isn't as good a selling point as a 300-mile range would be. We didn't use much juice while bopping up and down on mild fire trails and over a few rocky obstacles, but unless you live up against the border of BLM land, it's likely you'll have several hundred miles between you and the closest OHV roads. There's something about being out of cell range that makes one more concerned about vehicle range, especially when you can't strap an extra gallon to the roof rails.Assuming you don't mind stopping for a charge on the way (the Recon can refill from 5 to 80 percent in a half hour), this electric Jeep is a nice setup for a day outside. It's quick and stable on a mountain road, and with the power top folded all the way back, the cabin fills with sunshine, cold air, and pine. Turn onto a dirt road, maybe stop at a cabin or a campsite, and you can wrestle the doors off for the full open-air experience.JeepAll four doors and the rear windows are removable without tools, which is pretty trick, but at about 70 pounds apiece for the doors, it's more of a team activity than a solo one. There's also no easy way to store the doors in the Recon, though the windows come with a cute padded bag and can tuck into the cargo space as long as you're willing to sacrifice some of the 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. There's an additional 3 cubes in the frunk, which is best used for the charging cable or a large bag of trail mix.AdvertisementAdvertisementOnce you've found somewhere to store your doors and windows, the stripped-down Recon looks like something you'd find abandoned in a bad part of town. Aesthetics of driving a frame aside, the electric hum, birdsong, and a breeze that goes all the way through make a compelling argument for electric outdoorsing.JeepThe Recon is capable, too, with steel skid plates over the battery, a 15:1 final-drive ratio on the rear axle and an electromechanical locking rear differential. On our drive in the Moab trim, we didn't encounter any wheeling challenges worthy of the name, but the Recon showcased impressive articulation in a series of deep dugouts, swam through a slippery mud pool (it has a 24-inch fording depth), and crawled over the slipperier mud-covered rocks at the exit. There's no lack of torque or flexibility, but the Recon does exhibit two common off-road EV issues: choppy accelerator response and overly aggressive brakes.Jeep makes attempts at re-creating the smooth confidence of a low-geared combustion rig with off-road-specific drive modes like Rock and Sand, which change the pedal response and stability control intervention. A separate Creep setting is designed to mimic the slow pull of a torquey engine in low gear, but we found it added too much acceleration, like trying to hold back a car with a too-high idle. When combined with a grabby brake pedal, feathering the Recon into position proved difficult.JeepThoughtfulness in design has been a part of Jeep's legacy, and the Recon has both some wins and some spots for improvement. The interior design is roomy and easy to navigate, with interesting seat patterns and fun easter-egg design elements. There's small-item storage, big door pockets with elastic to keep bottles from banging around, a locking console (clever for a truck that might spend its time without windows or doors), and speakers under the rear seat so that even door-free driving can have a soundtrack. The infotainment system is straightforward and brightly lit, even in sunlight, with great camera angles and physical controls, as well as a customizable favorites bar at the top of the 14.5-inch touchscreen.JeepOn the could-be-better side: While the door panels are primarily dark plastic, which isn't a negative in a vehicle that is going to need regular washouts, Jeep could have focused a little more on the parts a passenger is going to clutch or bang into. The grab bar and door handles, for example, join two disparate plastics in an unpleasantly sharp edge. With the Recon's $68,990 base price, surely Jeep could have used the steering wheel's soft faux leather to outfit the grab handles. Oh yeah, and the steering wheel is too thick. It feels like driving with a catcher's mitt on.JeepAdvertisementAdvertisementJeep is proud to declare the Recon "trail-rated," and indeed it's built with the power and technology to send this EV up and over a wide variety of challenges. The biggest obstacle, though, might be at the dealer. With a high price and a low range, the Recon is going to have a hard time outrunning more traditional off-road options among hardcore outdoors enthusiasts.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029