The Recon Will Be Jeep's 'New Defender,' Says Exec

Jeep has high expectations for its next off-roader.

Photo by: Jeep

By: Jeff Perez

May 12, 2025 at 10:00am ET

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Jeep has a bevy of new product on the horizon, starting with the Compass—which may or may not make it to the US—and soon to be followed by the Recon. Originally scheduled to debut in 2024, the new Recon should finally show up later this year. And Jeep executives are very excited about their next off-roader.

In an interview with Autocar, Jeep UK's Managing Director Kris Cholmondeley expressed high hopes for the new Recon. Cholmondeley says it's the model he's "most excited about," and went on to call the Recon Jeep’s version of the latest Land Rover Defender.

"[The Recon will] take everything that’s enduring about the Wrangler and modernize it," he says. "The best example is to look at the old Defender and the new Defender."

Photo by: Jeep

Although Jeep already has one EV in the Wagoneer S, the Recon will be the brand’s first true all-electric off-roader. Although we could see a gas-powered version eventually. The Recon will be similarly sized to the Wrangler Unlimited, and should have similar off-road capability, with big, knobby tires, a fully independent suspension, and an adjustable ride height. It will even have electronic locking differentials.

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The Recon will ride on Stellantis’s modular STLA Large platform, which supports both 400- and 800-volt electrical architectures. Though, Jeep hasn’t said which version will be used in the Recon. Although the electric powertrain in the Wagoneer S makes up to 600 horsepower, we don’t expect that much power in the Recon. But it still should be plenty powerful.

Expect the Jeep Recon before the end of the year, and yes, this off-roader should be coming to the US. Estimates put the early pricing at around $60,000.