2027 Jeep Recon First Drive: Finding The Limits Of Electrification
Can an EV feel like a Jeep? That’s the question many lifelong enthusiasts have been asking themselves since the Recon was announced. Sure, it can look the part with a seven-slot grille, proper boxy dimensions, and rugged off-road tires, but will it feel like a true Jeep without a four- or six-cylinder under the hood? HotCars had the opportunity to take a Recon through Northern California, complete with a brief off-road session, and found the answer to that very question.
Jeep’s First-Ever Trail Rated EV
The Jeep Recon is the brand’s newest fleet member. At first glance, it looks right at home among Jeep’s historical lineup, similar in appearance to the Liberty and Cherokee, with sites squarely aimed at the Bronco. Though it’s not exactly the fresh face that’s got people talking. It’s the choice of propulsion.
The Recon Moab, set to launch later this year, is starting life exclusively as an EV. While that is enough to furrow the brow of Jeep’s staunchest purists, the Recon is a far cry from a conventional straight-six or even a Pentastar in both spirit and power.
Jeep has equipped the Recon Moab with a dual-motor setup capable of producing an astounding 670 hp (500kW) and 620 lb-ft of torque (840Nm). It has the potential to hurl itself from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 118 mph.
Powering the motors is a 400-volt 100.5-KWH battery. With it, the Recon has an estimated range of about 222 miles in the Moab trim, the one we drove, and 250 miles in the upcoming Overland trim. Jeep also gives it an economy rating of up to 80 MPGe combined. I’ll just say it right now: this is the Achilles’ heel of this entire package, which I’m sure many diehard off-roaders already saw coming.
This isn’t Jeep’s first all-electric vehicle, joining the ranks of the Wagoneer S in that regard, but it is Jeep’s first-ever Trail Rated EV. While this is ultimately an earned distinction met by meeting the criteria of Jeep’s own ranking system, the team did share that they didn’t pull any punches when putting this vehicle to work to find the winning combination. It claims to have completed 1.2 million miles of testing, to ensure it lives up to the expectations of Jeep enthusiasts who intend to get muddy whenever possible.
Taking Inspiration From The Classics
The Jeep Recon takes a lot of inspiration from prior Jeep midsize SUV models. Namely, the XJ Cherokee, according to Jeep’s design team. It’s easy to see that at a quick glance.
Overall, it’s a great-looking rig with plenty of off-road goodies baked into the Moab edition. First and foremost are the 33-inch all-terrain tires that come standard. That, paired with a 15:1 final rear drive and locking rear differential, really gives the Recon a serious edge on the trail. It also has five drive modes, including Rock, Snow, and Sand that help it dig in when it counts.
The Jeep vibes are kept alive with removable doors and rear glass. That goes nicely with the sliding panoramic sunroof that provides as close to the open-air experience of a stripped-down Wrangler as you’re going to get. As for keeping the elements out, sealed electronics throughout allow owners to safely ford up to 24 inches of water, allowing them to make the most of any trail-bound getaway that’s within reach of the Recon.
Exploring NorCal’s Winding Pavement
While off-roading is clearly something the Recon prioritizes, the majority of the miles we put on it were on-road. Our trip started in Healdsburg and ended in Ukiah, and it consisted mostly of winding mountain roads with brief stints on the highway. More than scenic backdrops, our route really gave us an opportunity to see what this truck is really all about.
I was honestly surprised at how well the Recon handled for a Jeep riding on 33s. It is far from a nimble road car, but it is certainly not bad for this combination. I did get the tires squealing as I dove into a switchback turn, but overall, it handles better than the trucks I’m used to. It also stopped fairly well, despite weighing north of three tons.
That’s all well and good, but it’s the acceleration everyone cares about, given that it boasts a 670 hp rating. The first time I jumped on it, I was startled by how hard the truck lunged forward. This was my first time driving a fully electric vehicle. I knew it’d be fast, but it still caught me a bit off guard. I did get used to it, though, and it is definitely manageable. It’s not the fastest or scariest thing I’ve ever driven. In comparison to the rowdy old muscle cars I’m used to, the power, albeit the gratuitous sum of it, comes on in a controllable manner. Yes. The torque is instant, but it doesn’t feel untethered thanks to all the modern advancements that manage power delivery. Still, it’s absolutely bananas for a Jeep.
The biggest problem I had was staying off the throttle so as not to totally soak up my power in reserve. It doesn’t take an EV aficionado to understand that the 222-mile range is a major setback here. Even leaving with a full charge and driving a little over an hour there and back, the Recon had just enough range to complete the trip; I believe I had about 20 miles left when I turned it back in at the end of the day. Mind you, that’s even after letting it briefly charge on a Level 2 charger at lunch and taking as much advantage as possible of the regenerative braking while descending California’s scenery. Thankfully, Jeep had entirely separate vehicles for us to use for the off-road portion, so we could see what the vehicle is truly capable of off the beaten trail.
Off-Road Ranch Romp
The dirty portion of testing began with a trek up a gravel road cutting through California hills. This wasn’t actually part of the course, but it was certainly a rougher route than most mall crawlers will ever see, even during their second or third ownership. Upon reaching the destination, we switched vehicles and cut through some more winding roads, complete with some carefully selected obstacles to demonstrate how the Recon earned its official ‘Trail Rated’ badge.
First, we slung the vehicle on a steep bank where writers competed to pitch their Recons at the highest angle. The record for the day was 32 degrees, with yours truly achieving a respectable 30 degrees on the first go-around. Immediately afterward, we carefully crawled along the articulation course to see what the suspension can do, most of which placed the Recon on three wheels.
Up the hill, through the woods, Jeep had us do some water fording to prove the EV could do some mudding. Immediately afterward, we crawled down a rock obstacle, bringing testing full-circle. Was it the most hardcore off-roading I’d ever done? No, but it really did a good job of demonstrating what the Recon is capable of. Frankly, it performed well enough in every obstacle to argue against questioning the rating in any respect. At least, in all ways but one.
But, Is It A Jeep?
The Recon definitely feels like a modern Jeep. There are no two ways about it. In terms of vibes and a simplistic yet effective focus on off-road capabilities, it really does hit the mark. Even with a fully electric drivetrain, it doesn’t overdo it in the tech department. With a single in-dash display and simple driver controls, it doesn’t overwhelm you with tech, which is something I personally value. I can’t stand vehicles that shove the latest and greatest control systems down your throat to remind you that you’re in the most futuristic machine on today’s market. It’s a far cry from a classic analog Jeep, but the Recon keeps things straightforward, and I’m not the only one who appreciates that.
In terms of pure on- and off-road capabilities, I think the Recon nails it, too. It rides very nice for a rugged vehicle; it stops and goes well enough to maintain driver confidence in any situation. The 33-inch all-terrain tires, locking rear diff, off-road drive modes, and low-slung cameras also help you maintain control, no matter how far you want to reasonably push it. And despite having 670 horsepower with instant torque, it is very easy to manage in all settings.
Gas Is Still King Of The Trail
The only real problem is the range. Now, I’ve heard the argument that range anxiety isn’t exactly valid because most drivers only travel a few miles a day anyway, and that may be true for many settings, but I don’t think it holds water for those who do a lot of off-roading. In my experience, driving a Jeep an hour or two away to spend the day bashing around trails or beaches is pretty normal. And with a gasoline engine under the hood, that’s never been a problem—even if you’re getting 8 mpg. You can always refuel on the fly if you take things too far. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for an EV.
Sure, a Level 3 charger can offset the issue, but they aren’t exactly commonplace in the parts of the country where Jeeps tend to find themselves. And until someone makes an electric Jerry can (with the same level of convenience), this will be a major problem for Recon owners who really want to cover a lot of ground in a single day. Even with all the other off-road-centric areas in check, the range is ultimately going to keep most EV Recons off trails. Not all hope is lost for that customer, though. Jeep does have plans to put a gas engine in future models, and that makes perfect sense to me.
Since Jeep designers claim the XJ was a major inspiration for the Recon, the straight-six Hurricane sounds like a natural pairing for gas-powered Recons. With HO versions putting out 550 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque, buyers aren’t sacrificing a great deal to make the switch. Though Jeep has yet to confirm what gas power plant will end up in the Recon, this may be wishful thinking at best. That said, I’m sure there are plenty of Jeep owners who would give up more than half the horsepower of the EV if it means more usable range.
Sources: Jeep
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