Jeep's Recon Moab EV Is Finally Shedding Its Camouflage
2026 pre-production Jeep Recon EV as rendered by MS Copilot
By EVWorld.com Si Editorial Team
What's emerging is a vehicle that looks every bit the electric heir to the Rubicon legacy. Blacked out, upright, and unmistakably trail-rated, the Moab edition was recently spotted in near-production form - complete with removable doors, aggressive tires, and a stance that dares you to find a boulder it can't climb.
It's built on Stellantis's STLA Large platform, the same architecture underpinning the Wagoneer S, but the Recon is no suburban cruiser. It's engineered to tackle the Rubicon Trail and with an estimated range of 300 miles, return with enough battery to recharge and do it again. That's the promise, anyway.
Market Headwinds
But promises are colliding with market headwinds. Stellantis has quietly pulled back on several U.S. EV launches, including the Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S, citing weak demand and the expiration of federal tax credits. Dealer orders have been paused, and internal strategy appears to favor gas-powered models in states no longer bound by California's emissions rules.
The Charger Daytona EV sold just 4,299 units this year, while its ICE counterpart moved more than 26,000. That's not just a sales gap—it's a signal.
Where Does That Leave the Recon?
At an estimated $60,000 to $80,000, it's priced like a premium Wrangler but faces a market increasingly skeptical of EVs without incentives. If Stellantis hesitates, the Recon could become a halo product without a halo strategy—launched into a landscape where dealer enthusiasm is cooling and consumer confidence is fragile.
Enter Rivian's R2
Slated for early 2026, the R2 is Rivian's bid for volume: a midsize SUV with single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations, all offering AWD or 4WD capability. It won't crawl rocks like the Recon, but it will camp, commute, and connect to Tesla's Supercharger network. Starting around $45,000, it's positioned to undercut Jeep's pricing while offering enough adventure cred to lure weekend warriors and tech-savvy families alike.
The R2 won't replace the Recon, but it will reshape expectations. If Rivian delivers on range, software, and affordability, Jeep will need to prove that its EV isn't just electric—it's still a Jeep. That means real trail performance, not just styling cues. It means a launch strategy that matches the vehicle's ambition, not one that hedges against market volatility.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Recon Moab EV is a bold concept born into a cautious moment. It channels the spirit of the Rubicon, but its fate may hinge less on terrain and more on timing. In a year where Stellantis is retreating and Rivian is advancing, the question isn't whether the Recon can climb—it's whether Jeep will let it.
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