Jeep® Will Replace The Wrangler With The Recon In Europe For 2026

The Jeep® Wrangler (JL) — one of the most iconic 4x4s in the world — is officially on its way out in Europe. According to Auto Express UK, Jeep will stop taking orders for the Wrangler before the end of this year, with the last units reaching customers in the first half of 2026. The decision marks the end of an era for European Jeep fans, as the brand prepares to replace its long-running off-road icon with the all-electric Jeep Recon (EJ).

Why Jeep Is Ending Wrangler Sales In Europe –

In an exclusive interview with Auto Express, Marco Montepeloso, Head of Jeep® Europe Product Planning, confirmed that the Wrangler’s exit has everything to do with new regional standards. “There are several regulations that are affecting the compatibility of Wrangler with the European region,” Montepeloso explained, “like the safety regulation that’s coming in mid-2026 that needs some additional features that will be hard to implement in the Wrangler.”

Montepeloso noted that while Jeep added more safety technology during the model’s recent refresh — including rock rails for better side-impact protection and ADAS features such as drowsy-driver detection — it wouldn’t be enough to comply with what’s coming. “It would be really complex to make the Wrangler comply with the new regulations,” he admitted, adding that Jeep would be “forced to rethink completely the concept of Wranglers” to meet the next wave of safety rules.

In addition to safety standards, emissions also played a major role in the decision. The turbocharged 2.0-liter GME-T4 I4 gas engine used in European Wranglers emits up to 269 g/km of CO₂ — a figure that rivals the output of high-end V8 SUVs. With Europe’s environmental restrictions tightening year after year, the Wrangler’s internal-combustion setup was running out of road.

Recon: The Electric Successor – 

While the Wrangler’s departure is disappointing to purists, Jeep isn’t abandoning its off-road DNA. Montepeloso confirmed that the upcoming Jeep Recon — a fully electric model — will arrive in Europe in 2026 as a modern, capable alternative.

“Yes, it will be an EV,” Montepeloso told Auto Express, describing the Recon as having “a modern, urban-friendly design.” But he quickly reassured off-road fans that capability remains at the heart of the brand: “It will be extremely capable,” he said confidently.

Jeep is positioning the Recon as the spiritual successor to the Wrangler in Europe — built for adventure but designed to fit seamlessly into the region’s urban landscape and zero-emission future. Montepeloso emphasized that while some may mourn the Wrangler’s departure, the brand is looking ahead with optimism. “We are bringing really big relevant models [to Europe] — the Avenger, the new Compass, the Wagoneer S, and the Recon,” he said.

A Legacy That Lives On Elsewhere – 

The Wrangler’s discontinuation in Europe doesn’t mean it’s disappearing globally. In markets like the United States — where Jeep sold 151,163 Wranglers last year — the legendary nameplate continues to thrive. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Wrangler 4xe also remains a popular option in North America.

Back in 2023, former Jeep CEO Christian Meunier hinted that the next-generation Wrangler would eventually go fully electric — potentially arriving around 2027 or later. For now, Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, has kept future details under wraps, stating only that “future plans for electric Wranglers remain undisclosed.”

The End Of One Chapter, The Start Of Another – 

Montepeloso’s comments suggest this is less an ending and more an evolution. “Let’s say we are exploring,” he said when asked if the Wrangler might someday return. “But today we cannot commit on anything.”

With the all-electric Jeep Recon set to debut next month and arrive in 2026, the brand’s off-road legacy is clearly entering a new era — one powered by volts instead of gasoline, but still wearing the same trail-rated badge of honor.

Source: Auto Express UK