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Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · Jeep Recon Research

Jeep Recon vs Jeep Wrangler: Electric or Gas?

With the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid discontinued, the choice in a Jeep with removable doors now comes down to the all-electric Recon or a gas Wrangler. Here is how they compare and who each one suits.

Quick answer: Choose the 2026 Jeep Recon if you can charge at home and want an all-electric SUV with 670 hp, full-time 4WD and 222 miles of EPA range. Choose the Wrangler if you want gas refueling, low-range 4x4, a manual transmission option, or the Rubicon's front and rear lockers for hard rock trails. The Wrangler also tows more when properly equipped: up to 5,000 lb on a 4-door Rubicon automatic, against 3,300 lb for the Recon. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid was discontinued starting with the 2026 model year.
670 hpRecon Moab, electric
470 hpWrangler 6.4L V8
3,300 lbRecon max towing
5,000 lbWrangler 4-door Rubicon auto

Side by side

2026 Jeep Recon MoabJeep Wrangler (gas)
Power sourceBattery electric, 100.5 kWh2.0L turbo I-4, 3.6L V6 or 6.4L V8
Output670 hp, 620 lb-ft270 hp to 470 hp
TransmissionSingle-speed8-speed automatic; 6-speed manual with the V6
4WDFull-time active 4WD, no low rangeCommand-Trac, Rock-Trac or Selec-Trac, all with low range
LockersElectronic rear lockerFront and rear Tru-Lok lockers on Rubicon
Ground clearance9.1 inUp to 12.9 in when properly equipped
Max towing3,300 lb2,000 lb (2-door); 3,500 lb (most 4-doors); 5,000 lb (4-door Rubicon automatic)
Range or economy222 miles EPAUp to 21 mpg combined EPA
Body styles4-door2-door and 4-door

What happened to the Wrangler 4xe

Stellantis phased out its plug-in hybrids in North America starting with the 2026 model year, and the Wrangler 4xe was discontinued along with them. That leaves two ways to get a Jeep with removable doors: the gas Wrangler, with its 2026 models on lots now and 2027 models available to order, or the all-electric Recon, which is arriving at dealers now.

If you own a Wrangler 4xe, our service department continues to support it.

Power and daily driving

The Recon's two motors make 670 hp and 620 lb-ft, and Jeep quotes 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds in Sport mode. That's well above the most powerful Wrangler's 470 hp, and the electric drive is quiet. Day to day, you charge at home overnight on 240V instead of stopping for gas, and DC fast charging adds about 100 miles in 10 minutes on the road, per Jeep.

2026 Wrangler engineOutputEPA mpg, 4-door (city/hwy/comb)
2.0L turbo I-4, 8-speed auto270 hp / 295 lb-ft20 / 22 / 21
3.6L V6, 8-speed auto285 hp / 260 lb-ft18 / 23 / 20
6.4L V8 (Moab 392, Willys 392), 8-speed auto470 hp / 470 lb-ft13 / 16 / 14

The 2.0L and 3.6L run on 87 octane, and the 392 V8 calls for premium. The Wrangler refuels in minutes anywhere, which matters on long trips to places with few fast chargers. It's also the only one of the two you can get with a 6-speed manual.

Off-road hardware

Both are serious off-roaders, but they get there differently. The Recon uses electric-motor torque control, an electronic rear locker, Rock mode and Selec-Speed Control on 33-in all-terrain tires, with steel underbody shields and 9.1 in of clearance. Its angles are 33.8 degrees approach, 23.3 breakover and 33.1 departure.

The Wrangler offers traditional low-range 4x4. Command-Trac is a part-time system with a 2.72:1 low range. Rock-Trac, standard on Rubicon, has a 4:1 low range and, with the 6-speed manual and available 4.88 axle, a crawl ratio up to 100:1. The Rubicon adds solid front and rear axles, front and rear Tru-Lok electronic lockers and an electronic front sway bar disconnect. With 35-in tires, the Wrangler reaches up to 12.9 in of clearance and approach and departure angles up to 47.4 and 40.4 degrees.

For dirt roads, sand, snow and moderate trails, the Recon has plenty. For the hardest rock crawling, the Wrangler Rubicon's lockers and gearing give it the edge. Our Recon off-road guide covers the Recon's hardware in detail.

Towing, size and cargo

2026 Recon MoabWrangler 4-door
Max towing3,300 lb with Trailer-Tow Package3,500 lb; 5,000 lb on Rubicon automatics
Length193.3 in188.4 in
Curb weight6,112 lb4,251 to 4,976 lb
Cargo, behind 2nd row / behind 1st row30.3 / 65.9 cu ft31.7 / 72.4 cu ft
Energy storage100.5 kWh battery21.5-gal fuel tank

Towing also affects range in an EV. A trailer adds weight and drag, so a Recon towing to Folsom Lake or the Delta will need more frequent charging than one driving empty. If you tow often or far, the Wrangler is the simpler choice.

Which one fits you

  • Get the Recon if you can charge at home, most of your driving is around Elk Grove and Sacramento, you want strong acceleration and a quiet cabin, and your off-roading is dirt roads, snow, sand and moderate trails.
  • Get the Wrangler if you take long trips away from fast chargers, tow up to 5,000 lb, want a manual or a V8, prefer a 2-door, or plan to tackle the hardest rock trails in a Rubicon.
  • Either way, both have removable doors and open-air roof options. The Recon also lets you remove the rear-quarter and swing-gate glass.

See the full Jeep Wrangler guide for trims and 4x4 systems, or drive both back to back at our Elk Grove store.

More Jeep Recon research

Jeep Recon vs Wrangler FAQs

Is the Jeep Recon an electric Wrangler?

No. The Recon is a separate all-electric SUV with its own platform, two motors and full-time 4WD. It shares the Wrangler's removable doors and Trail Rated focus, but not its gas engines or low-range 4x4.

Is there still a Wrangler 4xe?

No. Stellantis discontinued its North American plug-in hybrids, including the Wrangler 4xe, starting with the 2026 model year. Current Wranglers come with a 2.0L turbo, 3.6L V6 or 6.4L V8.

Which tows more, the Recon or the Wrangler?

The Recon tows up to 3,300 lb. Most 4-door Wranglers tow 3,500 lb, properly equipped 4-door Rubicon automatics tow up to 5,000 lb, and 2-door Wranglers tow 2,000 lb.

Is the Recon faster than the Wrangler?

Yes. The Recon Moab makes 670 hp and Jeep quotes 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The most powerful Wrangler, the 6.4L V8 392, makes 470 hp.

Does the Recon have low range like the Wrangler?

No. The Recon uses a single-speed transmission and relies on motor control, Rock mode and Selec-Speed Control. Every Wrangler 4x4 system includes low range.

Do the Recon's doors come off like a Wrangler's?

Yes. The Recon's doors, rear-quarter glass and swing-gate glass are removable without tools, and a Sky One-Touch power top is available.

Which has more cargo space?

The Wrangler 4-door has slightly more: 31.7 cu ft behind the rear seat and 72.4 cu ft behind the front seats, versus 30.3 and 65.9 cu ft in the Recon. The Recon adds a 3.0-cu-ft front trunk.

Drive the Recon and Wrangler in Elk Grove

Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · 8575 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757 · Sales 916-892-0515

*Recon specifications are based on Jeep's 2026 Recon Moab information. Wrangler figures are based on Jeep's published 2026 Wrangler information and EPA ratings; cargo figures are published specifications. Ratings vary by configuration and may change; confirm figures for a specific vehicle before you buy. EV range is an EPA estimate and varies with temperature, speed, terrain, towing and battery condition. Towing and off-road capability require proper equipment, and passengers and cargo reduce towing capacity. Pricing on in-stock vehicles excludes government fees and taxes, any finance charges, dealer document processing charge and emission testing charge. Contact Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for current pricing and availability.

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Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM 38.4034819, -121.3880205.