The new Jeep Recon EV and Wagoneer EV made their official debut this week and will enter production for major global markets including Canada in 2024.
The Jeep Recon builds on the success of the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4Xe, pairing the brand’s trademark Trail Rated capability with an eco-friendly battery-electric powertrain. Technical details are slim at the moment, however, it will be offered with an electric 4X4 system with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system and e-locking axles, as well as other off-road-ready equipment like underbody skid plates, tow hooks, and off road tires.
Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO, claims the Recon “has the capability to cross the mighty Rubicon Trail, one of the most challenging off-road trails in the U.S., and reach the end of the trail with enough range to drive back to town and recharge,” just in case traditional Jeep enthusiasts are worried this EV won’t be deserving of the Jeep badge.
The Jeep Recon will make its official in-person debut next year, with production set to start at a yet-to-be-confirmed plant in North America in 2024. American customers will be able to place a reservation for the vehicle in early 2023, although it’s unclear if Canadian orders will open at this time as well. In addition to the U.S. and Canada, Jeep says the Recon will be “sold in major markets around the world,” including select European countries.
Jeep Wagoneer EV
Like the Recon, the new Jeep Wagoneer EV will enter production in North America in 2024, with pre-orders set to open for U.S. customers early next year. Unlike the Recon, however, the Wagoneer EV eschews the traditional boxy Jeep styling for what the brand describes as a “unique, sleek, aerodynamic design,” that will appeal to luxury vehicle consumers.
This battery-electric crossover will target the premium mid-size SUV segment, with Jeep targeting a 600-horsepower output and a zero-to-97 km/h time of around 3.5 seconds, as well as an estimated driving range of 643 km (400 miles). It will also come standard with a 4X4 powertrain and Selec-Terrain traction management.
“We’ll delight our customers with a premium, highly efficient SUV that is loaded with technology and high-quality craftmanship, offering 4x4 capability, high performance, rapid acceleration and a target range of 400 miles on a single charge,” Meunier said of the luxe Wagoneer EV.
The Jeep Recon EV and Wagoneer EV are two of four electric SUV/crossover models the brand plans to launch in North America between now and 2025, with the other two remaining under wraps for the time being. With this new EV portfolio, an estimated 50 per cent of Jeep brand sales in the U.S. will be fully electric by 2030, while 100 per cent of its European sales will be all-electric in that timeframe.