Official: Jeep Recon will get ICE gas engine model!

[ironman]

Big Jeep Recon news came out of Stellantis Investor Day -- there's a gas-powered ICE engine Recon model coming!

Jeep Recon to Add Gas Model to Lineup

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a71386967/jeep-recon-ev-will-add-internal-combustion-engine-model/

The Jeep Recon EV will no longer arrive with a purely electric lineup, as Stellantis has confirmed that an internal combustion powertrain is set to be offered for North American customers.

Stellantis executives didn’t go into specifics about which powertrain is destined for the Recon, but we can make an educated guess based on recent portfolio adjustments. The turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane 4-cylinder that made its debut in the latest Grand Cherokee seems like a natural fit, given its blend of power and improved efficiency. Thanks to 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, the Hurricane 4 should be plenty potent to motivate the slightly-bigger-than-a-Wrangler SUV. The brand’s popular choice of an eight-speed automatic seems like the natural choice for a gearbox, though I’m curious to see how the packaging works out.


So Stellantis didn't say what engine it'll be, but a good possibility is the new turbo 2.0L Hurricane inline 4 engine which was recently introduced with the new 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee (where it produces 324 hp / 332 lb-ft).

 

[MattM]

Praise Stellantis, us consumers will finally have more CHOICE! Above range, tech and capability, I value the ability to choose as my top priority when making a vehicle purchase.
Thankfully Jeep realizes this and isn't bothered with the former.


But seriously, putting an ICE in a ground up EV platform is the worst news I've heard about the Recon. They are saying they aren't committed to making a great EV.

 

[dhonkaz]

This has pretty much been known for a while, but it’s great to have it confirmed. The execs have been saying that the versatility of the STLA-large playform allows for relatively easy interchanging of ICE, hybrid, PHEV, and EV. I expect they’ll offer a REEV next year that will be the most popular.
The best part will be whenever a Recon article is written, ignorant folks won’t constantly be posting saying “too bad it’s an EV, should have been ICE” (or hemi, etc). It’s because of these decisions the last year I’ve been buying stock

 

[WXman]

Makes no sense. Already have a Jeep in the lineup that is the same size as Recon, same price as Recon, with removable doors and top, and ICE powertrain. Now there'll be TWO? They're going to intentionally canabalize their cash cow? Stupidity.

What makes Recon special IS the electric powertrain.

Besides, that new 2.0T engine is already the subject of recalls and trust me when I say there will be more. The way the fuel injection system is designed on that engine is going to be a nightmare over time.

 

[dhonkaz]

Makes no sense. Already have a Jeep in the lineup that is the same size as Recon, same price as Recon, with removable doors and top, and ICE powertrain. Now there'll be TWO? They're going to intentionally canabalize their cash cow? Stupidity.

What makes Recon special IS the electric powertrain.

Besides, that new 2.0T engine is already the subject of recalls and trust me when I say there will be more. The way the fuel injection system is designed on that engine is going to be a nightmare over time.

It makes sense for two reasons. One...choice. Two...Europe. They are replacing the Wrangler in Europe with the Recon, and various choices make sense. Like everyone else on here right now, I'm in it for EV. I have to imagine they'll have a bigger engine that the Hurricane. I mean, it's a pretty heavy vehicle (although much is related to the battery). But we shall see.

 

[COmtnbiker]

The change makes sense. I wanted the EV. However, after seeing the range + price it made little sense to me. I don't particularly want a combustion engine, but the Ford Bronco has shown that a lot can be done without needing a full off road setup.

 

[PJJeeeep]

Makes sense to me, tracks with the roadmap. Cannibalization isn't really the right way to think about it imo — jeep didn't have a choice here. Wagoneer S tanked, EV demand cratered, and the Recon was already locked into STLA Large platform. Adding ICE is salvaging the platform investment.

Also they announced Twelve 4 Twelve the same day. If they really thought the Recon was gonna eat the Wrangler they wouldn't be doubling down on Wrangler variants at the same time.

 

[WXman]

It makes sense for two reasons. One...choice. Two...Europe. They are replacing the Wrangler in Europe with the Recon, and various choices make sense. Like everyone else on here right now, I'm in it for EV. I have to imagine they'll have a bigger engine that the Hurricane. I mean, it's a pretty heavy vehicle (although much is related to the battery). But we shall see.

Europe is irrelevant. The U.S. market has never followed the rest of the globe.

The change makes sense. I wanted the EV. However, after seeing the range + price it made little sense to me. I don't particularly want a combustion engine, but the Ford Bronco has shown that a lot can be done without needing a full off road setup.

Makes sense to me, tracks with the roadmap. Cannibalization isn't really the right way to think about it imo — jeep didn't have a choice here. Wagoneer S tanked, EV demand cratered, and the Recon was already locked into STLA Large platform. Adding ICE is salvaging the platform investment.

Also they announced Twelve 4 Twelve the same day. If they really thought the Recon was gonna eat the Wrangler they wouldn't be doubling down on Wrangler variants at the same time.

Twelve 4 Twelve? Almost universally panned by all the members of the huge JL forum.

Look, the Wrangler is the hinge that the entire brand swings upon. And I guess until now Jeep execs understood this. But it’s commonly known in the automotive world that you should never cannibalize your cash cow. And right now the Wrangler is already fighting to hold the Ford Bronco off. Ford claims they outsold Wrangler for the first time in April 2026, though we won’t know until official numbers come out next week. If they put ICE in the Recon it is certainly not going to help matters any at all. Now Wrangler will be fighting Ford and its own brand for sales.

Charger Daytona tanked because it’s a very niche vehicle and buyers of muscle cars don’t want EVs.

Wagoneer S tanked because it was executed very poorly.

Recon BEV has a real chance to be different and make a splash if they build it with quality and advertise it smartly. But instead they’re almost conceding already and throwing in the towel. It’s pitiful.

 

[MattM]

Vehicles that can have gas or EV drivetrains end up being worse at both.
Putting an ICE into the Recon is giving up. They need to focus their efforts on making it a better EV.

Jeep doesn't need another gas SUV.