Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Helena
3377 E US Highway 12
Helena, MT 59601

Compare the2026 Jeep ReconVS 2025 Tesla Model X

2026 Jeep Recon
2025 Tesla Model X

Safety

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Recon are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model X doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Recon has standard Park Assist with Rear Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Model X doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Recon’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model X doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Recon has a standard 360-degree camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Jeep Recon’s 360-degree camera has integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Tesla Model X lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

The Recon has standard Uconnect Access, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model X doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Recon and the Model X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Jeep Recon weighs 864 to 964 pounds more than the Tesla Model X. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

There are almost 12 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Recon’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is rated below average.

Tires and Wheels

The Recon has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Model X; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Recon has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Model X’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For greater off-road capability the Recon has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Model X (9.1 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Recon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Recon is 5.8 inches shorter than the Model X, making the Recon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Recon has .6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model X.

Cargo Capacity

The Recon has a much larger cargo volume than the Model X with its rear seat up (30.3 vs. 15 cubic feet).

The Recon’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Model X 6-Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Ergonomics

The Recon’s entire steering wheel hub sounds the horn, facilitating hitting the horn in an emergency. The Model X has a small, single button on the steering wheel spoke that can be hard to find quickly in an emergency.

The Recon’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model X’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Recon has a standard rear wiper. The Model X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Recon’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model X doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

The Recon has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Model X doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Recon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Helena | 3377 E US Highway 12 Helena, MT 59601

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