Jeep reveals three new electric SUVs

A battery-powered go-anywhere off-road SUV dubbed the Jeep Recon is one of four new electrified models – including three all-new EVs – revealed by the American 4x4 brand on the eve of World EV Day (Friday, September 9).

Inspired by the iconic Jeep Wrangler, the all-new and all-electric 2024 Jeep Recon was shown along with a large battery-electric SUV codenamed the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S, the 2023 Jeep Avenger small electric SUV and a plug-in hybrid version of the large Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV.

The Polish-built Avenger compact SUV will be the first Jeep EV to go on sale globally when it launches in Europe in early 2023, while the Recon and Wagoneer S will start production in 2024, and the Grand Wagoneer PHEV is also due on sale in North America in 2024.

So what chance of any or all of these vehicles coming to Australia? Well, pretty darn good considering Australia is a key Jeep market and we are finally starting to look at emissions regs that will encourage EV take-up.

“Jeep aims to become the leading zero-emission SUV brand in the world,” a Stellantis Australia [Jeep parent] spokesman told carsales.

“In due course, we plan to bring electrified vehicles to our markets in the India and Asia-Pacific region at the appropriate timing. Specific announcements will be made locally closer to the vehicle introduction in each market.”

The four new Jeeps were revealed in a YouTube presentation Thursday evening during which Australia was not mentioned. Nor did local arrival dates rate a mention in media material issued by Jeep to coincide with the reveal.

Instead, Jeep said the Recon and Wagoneer S would be sold “in major markets around the world”, which should include Australia.

Positioned under the pint-size Renegade, which is no longer sold in Australia, the Avenger was listed for sale in South Korea and Japan as well as Europe.

Jeep is marketing its electric models under the 4xe badge but until today that name had been applied only to plug-in hybrids, of which only the Grand Cherokee 4xe is confirmed for Australia.

Under its ‘Dare Forward’ plan Jeep intends that 50 per cent of sales in the US and 100 per cent of sales in Europe will be battery-electric vehicles (BEV) by 2030.

If we had to guess, we'd suggest you might see the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S in Aussie showrooms by 2025.

Jeep says there will be no combustion-powered version of the Recon, but gave little away about its motor or battery technology.

Instead, it confirmed the Recon would be trail-rated – meaning it can cope with the notorious Rubicon Trail.

It will come with the Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management system, e-locker axle technology, under-body protection, tow hooks and aggressive off-road tyres.

Being the ‘brother’ of the Wrangler there’s no surprise the five-door Recon will have a one-touch powertop, removable doors and glass.

It will also come with the latest-generation Uconnect multimedia system, including detailed travel guides of the most notable off-road trails. Hopefully including the Simpson…

Jeep is making bold performance claims for the Wagoneer S: a 447kW dual-motor electric drivetrain, a 0-97km/h acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds and a 644km range.

US media reports say it will be based on the Stellantis Auto Group’s STLA EV architecture and not be trail-rated.

While it shares the Wagoneer name with the big new seven-seat SUV that’s not currently on the list for Australia, the S is actually about the same size as the smaller Grand Cherokee.

It has a bespoke coupe-SUV bodyshape, its own forward-leaning LED-lit take on the seven-slot Jeep grille and a large wing hovering free of the rear window on the D-pillars.

“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,” promised Jeep global boss Christian Meunier.

The plug-in Wagoneer uses the same full-size body as the ICE version but little was stated about it except Jeep is shooting for a 800km range.

This is not the first time the Avenger has been revealed. The front and rear exterior were shown off during the ‘Dare Forward’ presentation last March although the vehicle was not then given a name.

Again, technical details were not unveiled tonight, but the Avenger is targeting a 400km range between recharges. Jeep says it will offer “impressive ground clearance, breakover and approach angles for its segment”, which means it should have some 4x4 capability.

“The all-new Avenger will offer Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market,” said Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep Europe at Stellantis.

“This modern, fun and emotional SUV will appeal to a growing set of customers who are looking for a capable, compact, modern and all-electric Jeep brand alternative to the current players.”