2027 Jeep Recon EV

Overview

Jeep has an electric alternative to its Wrangler SUV with the 2027 Recon EV. The Recon wears a similarly boxy design to the Wrangler, its roof opens, and its doors come off for the feeling of open-air freedom that is quintessential Jeep. A pair of electric motors pumps out a healthy 670 horsepower, and acceleration is brisk.

However, we’d happily trade some of that acceleration for additional driving range, which runs 222 miles per charge for the Moab trim and 240 miles per charge for the upscale Overland. If you can live with below-average driving range, the Recon EV excels as an off-roader and can be used like any other boxy mid-size SUV on pavement—meaning it’s relatively practical and easy to live with.

Expert Tip: If you want an electric Jeep and don’t need the Recon’s ground clearance and off-road capability, the Wagoneer S is a more luxurious option with more driving range.

What’s New for 2027?

A luxurious Overland trim joins the lineup for 2027. This more road-friendly variant is said to have a slightly longer 240-mile driving range estimate, and it wears a more upscale look due to body-colored fender flares and 20-inch alloy wheels. Elsewhere, a NACS charging port replaces last year’s CCS connector, so replenishing the battery at Tesla Superchargers is now possible.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year’s model is largely unchanged and you’re comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it’ll cost less than buying new.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

• EV Motors: 670-hp dual motor
• Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

The Jeep Recon EV utilizes a pair of electric motors, with one drive unit mounted in the front and another in the rear. They produce a combined output of 670 horsepower—serious muscle that delivers impressive acceleration.

In addition to standard all-wheel drive, the Recon touts features that should make it a stout off-road performer as well: an electric locking differential, 9.1 inches of ground clearance, and a Select-Terrain traction management system with rock, sand, and snow drive modes. When we drove the Recon, we found it to be entertainingly quick on the road, with better ride quality and handling when compared to the gas-powered Wrangler. Off-road, its touchy throttle and sensitive brakes make it more difficult to pilot, but it’s plenty capable in the dirt.

0–60-MPH Times

• C/D 60-mph Test: 3.5 seconds

In Comparison: A 3.5-second 60 mph dash is mighty quick for a mid-size SUV, especially one focused on off-road capabilities.

Additional Research

Towing and Payload Capacity

• Max Towing: 3300 pounds

The Recon EV is capable of towing up to 3300 pounds when equipped with the Trailer Tow Group package. That’s a bit less than the 3,500-pound rating for the Wagoneer S.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

• C/D 75-mph Range Test: 160 miles
• EPA EV Range: 222 miles (Moab), 240 miles (Overland)

With its 100.5-kWh battery pack fully juiced, the EPA rates the Moab trim to deliver 222 miles of all-electric driving range. The Overland trim is estimated at 240 miles. In our real-world 75-mph highway test, the Moab achieved a disappointing result of just 160 miles.

The Recon employs a 400-volt electric architecture and is capable of charging from 20 to 80 percent in a claimed 28 minutes on a DC fast charger. Level 2 charging on a 240-volt circuit should take the battery from 5 to 80 percent in roughly 7 hours. Drivers with no other option other than plugging into a typical 110-volt household circuit best pack a book or three, as the estimated time for a 5-80 percent charge in that scenario is up to 52 hours.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

• EPA City Rating: 80 MPGe
• EPA Highway Rating: 62 MPGe

The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy for the Overland yet, but the Moab is rated for 80 MPGe city, 62 MPGe highway, and 71 MPGe combined. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. For more information about the Recon’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The Recon’s driver accommodations share a similar overall design philosophy with most of Jeep’s other luxury-adjacent offerings, like the Cherokee and Wagoneer. Faux leather upholstery and heated front seats come standard on the Moab trim; other premium features, such as ventilated seats and a digital rearview mirror, are available as options.

Second Row: It’s a pretty standard affair in the back, with 60/40 split bench seating in the second row. Heated outboard second-row seats are available as part of the optional Comfort Package.

Cargo Capacity: In addition to the 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the Recon’s rear seats, it also features a small 3.0-cubic-foot frunk under the hood—a perk of being an EV.

Infotainment and Connectivity

• Infotainment: 14.5-inch touchscreen
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Audio System: 12-speaker Alpine stereo

The Recon’s interior features a central 14.5-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display offering readouts for the driver.

The company’s Uconnect 5 software interface allows users to access all sorts of features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, integrated navigation, Amazon FireTV and Alexa, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Recon comes standard with many safety and assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, a 360-degree surround camera, and parking assist.

• Standard Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, parking assist
• Optional Safety Features: blind-spot monitoring with trailer detection

For information about the Recon’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

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Source: www.caranddriver.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.