The Jeep Recon faces an issue that the IH Scout addressed back in the 1970s.

      International Harvester, Jeep, edited by the author

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      Whenever I have the chance to borrow a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator, you can bet I'll be removing the doors, provided I find a Torx bit. I enjoy driving doorless, and I've probably told several Jeep executives over the years, "If you make an EV, please, make the doors removable." However, looking at photos of the 2026 Jeep Recon makes me feel like I'm about to back into a hedge, Homer Simpson style.

      I truly want to appreciate the Recon. A boxy, eco-friendly, off-road capable 4×4 with removable doors—this description is right out of my dream journal. Even a range of around 200 miles is acceptable to me for a vehicle with such an aerodynamic design.

      The starting price of just under $70,000 greatly reduced my excitement for this vehicle. Yet, as someone who rarely buys anything new, the real disappointment for me is that the Recon simply looks unattractive.

      To the designers of this vehicle, I apologize; no personal offense is intended. It's just that the Recon doesn’t have the fun, carefree aesthetic of a Wrangler with its doors off. Instead, it resembles a second-generation Jeep Liberty that has been stripped for parts at a junkyard.

      Seriously? Joel Feder

      Regardless of what the vision was during Jeep’s product planning meetings, it seems that the door-removal feature was an afterthought. Wranglers (and Gladiators) look great without their doors because the door jambs are sleek, clean, and straightforward. Conversely, the Recon showcases too many shapes, hinges, and hardware that detract from its visual appeal and give it a broken appearance.

      This brings me to why I referred to the Scout in the headline. When Scout was an International Harvester nameplate, it attempted a doorless design on one of its models in the ’70s and faced a similar issue that Jeep is experiencing with the Recon now.

      Removing the doors from the Scout II body left an awkward and unattractive rectangle in the design. It likely didn’t help the vehicle's structural integrity either. However, Scout found an aesthetically pleasing solution: fiberglass inserts that altered the shape of the door jamb while preserving the open-air experience.

      The Super Scout II was an attractive package introduced late in the original Scout’s production. It even featured a small canvas door option that complemented the soft top when using these inserts instead of regular doors. International Harvester

      Although the Super Scout II looked stylish and enjoyable with its doors off, it didn't require a complete redesign of the vehicle's body.

      I believe Jeep (or the aftermarket?) could create something similar for the Recon. Perhaps two pieces, maybe made from a strong plastic, that could be stored in your garage until you’re ready for a doorless summer weekend. These could attach at the existing door mounting points and enhance the vehicle's appearance.

      It wouldn’t cause much hassle for the few owners willing to remove the doors, but it would significantly improve their experience. Most importantly, it would enhance how the Recon looks in promotional images.

      Even a well-fitted canvas cover shaped like this could improve the Recon's overall appearance. Joel Feder, edited by the author

      In any case, I'm not particularly optimistic about the Recon's appeal given the price Jeep is suggesting. However, the issue with the door jambs has been on my mind since the vehicle was unveiled, and I doubt I'm the only one. What are your thoughts, commenters?

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