It turns out Jeep had a few surprises for us at the 60th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. While we knew of six concept Jeeps, we weren’t expecting three more sneak peeks.
At a dinner in Moab to kick off the annual EJS event (and the brand’s 85th anniversary), Jeep debuted two unexpected prototypes and its latest Twelve4Twelve drop.
Jeep Cherokee Upland Concept
The Jeep Cherokee returned as a 2026 model year after a 3-year hiatus and is on sale now. Enthusiasts may notice something lacking in the lineup, however: an off-road Trail Rated spec. Knowing Jeep, we assumed a more capable model would debut later in the production cycle.
But at EJS, we were surprised by the reveal of what could be the off-road–ready new KM-generation Cherokee, the Upland Concept. A sign of things to come?
Wearing a green-hued camo finish, the Cherokee Upland Concept debuted with a custom blacked-out off-road–spec front fascia for increased approach angles and rugged style. It was equipped with front and rear tow hooks and a conceptual roof rack. Helping to increase its off-road prowess were concept 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/65R18 Falken Wildpeak AT3W all-terrain tires.
There was no mention specifically of what was under the hood, but Jeep representatives regularly mentioned the 1.6L turbocharged hybrid four-cylinder in the current Cherokee, which makes 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a CVT.
Jeep said the Upland Concept offers a creative interpretation of the Cherokee’s design language that blends form, function, and attitude. With a bolder stance than the on-road–centric Cherokee, this might be a preview of where the KM platform is headed. I hope it happens, since Cherokee not only has an iconic nameplate, but also a legendary off-road heritage.
Jeep Recon Overwatch Concept
If you’ve been keeping tabs on Jeep, you’re probably aware of the Recon. This squared-off battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has been teased for some time now, but journalists haven’t been able to drive it yet (and we still didn’t get in the driver’s seat at EJS).
It’s alleged to go on sale in 2026. But for EJS, Jeep teased the ruggedized, off-road–centric Overwatch Concept, showing what could be from this EV offroader.
Donning a 2-inch concept Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) lift, a 1-inch wider stance, and 34-inch slotted mags, BFG Mud-Terrain KM3 tires, the Recon Overwatch looked rugged. Wearing Jeep’s light gray Ghost paint, the Recon Overwatch had custom steel rock rails and underbody skid plates to protect it from trail hazards.
Other custom bits included unique mirrors, specially fabricated roof rack crossbars and basket, and a host of carbon fiber components. This included custom wide fender flares, door jamb covers, and window aperture closeouts.
As you can see in the photos, most of the glass has been removed for that open-air experience — a Jeep trademark on Wrangler/Gladiator. Apparently, this is a feature that will make it to production.
Inside, the cab featured retrimmed front and rear seats, all with an avocado hue. There are heavy-duty all-weather floor mats for easy cleanup, helping to show its form-versus-function demeanor.
Jeep’s Vice President of Design, Vince Galante, said this will be Jeep’s first Trail Rated BEV. The Trail Rated designation requires vehicles to go through a battery of tests to prove off-road worthiness.
I’m looking forward to seeing Recon hit the market and whether it’ll take the title of King of the Off-Road EVs.
Twelve4Twelve Drop: Jeep Rewind
The last surprise of the night was the unofficial announcement of the next Twelve4Twelve Jeep. The Twelve4Twelve promotion promises a new special-edition Jeep each month. And for the sixth drop, it’ll be a purple Wrangler with ’80s-style graphics called Rewind.
Available in one color, “Rain,” clearly an homage to the late entertainer Prince, Rewind will feature bright retro graphics hearkening back to an earlier era. Even the spare tire cover had wild graphics.
The inspiration for the drop comes courtesy of a previous Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicle from 2025 bearing the same name. That concept, however, was a two-door. The production version shown was a Wrangler Unlimited four-door. It also had gold tow hooks front and rear, and a host of eight-bit graphic details inside (such as the shift knob, seat upholstery, and interior badging).
Rewind officially drops on April 12, 2026.
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