Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Special Edition Returns for 2020

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon marks a return of the SUV's most off-road-capable special edition. Building from the already hardcore Wrangler Rubicon, the Recon adds a variety of goodies to improve its performance when the pavement turns to dirt and rocks.

Foremost, the Rubicon Recon is available only with Jeep's novel 2.0L turbocharged I-4 eTorque powerplant, which makes 268 hp and 295 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic is standard, and like all Wranglers, the Rubicon Recon is four-wheel-drive. Unfortunately, neither a manual transmission nor the EcoDiesel engine will be available.

Wrangler Rubicon Recon Ruggedness

All Wrangler Rubicons feature the same Dana heavy-duty front and rear axles, Rock-Track two-speed transfer case with an ultra-low 4:1 crawl ratio, an electronic-disconnecting front sway bar, and front and rear locking differentials. To that impressive list of rugged features, the Wrangler Rubicon Recon adds steel front and rear bumpers and heavy-duty rock rails, protecting the exterior from trail rash and providing robust mounting points for off-road lighting and other accessories.

The Recon also gets LED headlights, foglights, and taillights for impressive illumination and visibility. A Jeep Trail-Rated Kit is also included in the Rubicon Recon, including a tow strap, D-ring, protective gloves, and carrying bag with an embroidered Jeep logo.

Trendy on the Trail

A slick appearance package joins the functional additions to the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon. Setting it apart from lesser Rubicons are edition-specific 17-inch alloy wheels with black accents, a gloss black grille with Rubicon Gray grille throats and headlight surrounds, a Recon fender badge, matte black fender vent decals, and a matte black hood decal with red pinstripes. Inside, the Wrangler Rubicon Recon gets red safety belts and something called PUR on the seat bolsters (likely a hard-wearing and weather-resistant polyurethane).

The Rubicon Recon will be available in 11 colors, including Bikini Pearl-Coat, Sarge, Hellayella, and Punk'n.

On Sale Now

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon (also available in the four-door Wrangler Unlimited configuration) is available to order now. Its starting price is $43,380 for the two-door and $46,880 for the Unlimited, representing price increases of $4,755 and $4,560 over the Rubicon and Rubicon Unlimited, respectively.

Whether that price increase is worth it depends on several factors. Those who already plan to order their Rubicon SUVs with steel bumpers, the turbocharged I-4 engine, and LED headlights would actually save money by opting for the Wrangler Rubicon Recon, and they'd get that model's slick styling upgrades for free, essentially. At nearly $50,000, the Rubicon Recon had better represent a bargain in some way, because that's a whole lot of dough for a Jeep.

Source: Jeep