How the 2026 Jeep Recon and 2026 Rivian R2 Stack Up Against Each Other

Key Points

• Both the Rivian R2 and Jeep Recon are due to be released for the 2026 model year.
• The two all-electric SUVs offer similar features, such as sustainable materials and plentiful tech, but they also have a few differences — including their target pricing.

Rivian and Jeep are set to make a splash in the electric-vehicle market for the 2026 model year, as both plan to introduce mid-size electric SUVs. While the Jeep Recon and Rivian R2 will make their entry into the market differently (Rivian is more premium with a mass-market price while Jeep is off-roading for the masses at a premium price), both EVs should compete for the same buyers. Based on what we know of both vehicles so far, let’s see how they stack up against each other. 

Related: 2026 Jeep Recon Brings Brand’s Legendary Off-Road Capability Into EV Era

How Do the Recon and R2 Specs Match Up?

Takeaways:

• Jeep’s Recon makes supercar-rivaling power from its dual-motor setup, while we’ve yet to learn how much power the R2 will make.
• What we do know of the R2 so far is that it’ll have a slight edge in range over the Recon.

EVs are almost universally known to make big horsepower, and that definitely is the case with the Recon. Its dual-motor powertrain setup (with full-time four-wheel drive) puts out 650 horsepower and 620 pounds-feet of torque, and a 400-volt, 100.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack helps it achieve up to a manufacturer-estimated 250 miles of range, depending on trim. Jeep says this helps the Recon hit 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. 

While the Recon seems to have the power edge over the R2, it’s only because Rivian has remained tight-lipped about the R2’s full specs so far. From what we know, the R2 might edge out the Recon based on the number of variants that’ll be available to customers. Rivian says the R2 will be available with two different battery packs and single-motor rear-wheel-drive or dual- and tri-motor setups with AWD. The bigger of the two batteries will have the Jeep beat on range, as Rivian is shooting for more than 300 miles. The R2’s powertrain setup also looks as if it’ll make it faster than the Recon, as well; Rivian says the R2 will be capable of scooting to 60 mph in under three seconds. 

Size Matters

• Takeaway: The R2 looks like it’ll be sized just right to fit into Rivian’s lineup, while the Recon is surprisingly bigger than expected. 

The Recon and R2 are close in size, but their dimensions show how weird things can get in this segment of SUVs. Here is how the Recon compares to the R2:

As for people and cargo carrying capacity, we don’t know the R2’s dimensions just yet, but Jeep says the Recon can hold up to 65.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the front seats folded and 30.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Both SUVs do have front trunks, with the Recon’s able to hold 3.0 cubic feet.

Modernly Rugged Interiors

• Takeaway: Both the Recon and R2 have thoroughly modern interiors that combine sustainable materials with rugged utility.

The interiors of the Recon and R2 have similar takes on the same concept. Rivian takes a more modern, minimalist approach to its interior design. The driver gets a digital instrument panel screen, while a larger central infotainment display dominates the center of the dash. There’s also plenty of storage spaces in the interior. Along with the usual center armrest, which has a drawer, the dash features dual glove boxes. Rivian also includes sustainable materials throughout the R2’s cabin, such as recycled ocean plastic and upcycled birchwood trim. 

The interior of the Recon is modern but less minimalist. The driver gets a 12.3-inch instrument panel display with customizable menus, while another 14.5-inch infotainment screen sits in the center of the dash running Jeep parent automaker Stellantis’ Uconnect5. There’s also plenty of storage thanks to its unique tiered console that features an available wireless phone charger up top with a larger space below to hold things like bags or a laptop. 

The Recon has a few features the R2 doesn’t have, too, including an accessory rail built into the top of the dash for things like mounting a camera, plus the doors feature interchangeable panels for even more storage solutions — or they can be removed altogether; Jeep says the Recon is the only electric SUV on the market with that feature. Jeep also uses sustainable materials in the Recon’s interior, such as synthetic leather and recycled materials for the headliner and carpet.

Read More Rivian and Jeep EV News:

• $45,000 Rivian R2 to Get Launch Edition, Bidirectional Charging
• Rivian R2 Up Close: Fan Service
• Rivian Reveals Smaller R2, R3 All-Electric Crossovers
• Here’s the New Electrified 2026 Jeep Compass We May or May Not Get
• Wagoneer Train: 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited Priced From $66,995

The Elephant in the Room: Price

• Takeaway: Rivian is going for mass-market appeal with the R2, while Jeep seems to be positioning the Recon as a premium entry.

The biggest difference between these two vehicles will be their prices. Rivian seems to want to grow its customer base by having a lower price with the R2. If things hold up — as startup automakers like Rivian have a tendency to say or promise one thing but then deliver another — Rivian says it’s targeting a $45,000 starting price for the R2. While not exactly cheap, it’s cheaper than the R1S and R1T and their $70,000-plus starting prices (though higher trims of the R2 are expected to come close to or crest the $70,000 mark).

Jeep seems to want to position the Recon as a premium entry into the market. Including the destination charge, Jeep says the Recon is expected to start at $66,995, making it one of the most expensive vehicles in the brand’s lineup. This price could also pose a problem for Jeep, as the brand has struggled with affordability the last few years; in 2023, Bloomberg reported that the brand’s high MSRPs had priced out many of its most loyal customers. Another near-$70,000 EV doesn’t help things. 

Ultimately, despite the Recon’s and R2’s different prices, they’re more closely matched than either Jeep or Rivian would like to admit.

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