Compare the2026 Toyota bZ VS 2026 Jeep Recon

The Toyota bZ has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Recon doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota bZ achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Recon has not been tested.

The bZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Recon doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the bZ and Recon have rear cross-traffic warning, but the bZ has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Recon’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the bZ and the Recon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the bZ for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Jeep doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Recon.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 113 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 33rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 24th.

On the EPA test cycle the bZ gets better mileage than the Recon:

			MPGe
bZ
	FWD	XLE Plus Electric Motor	143 city/119 hwy
		XLE Electric Motor	144 city/117 hwy
	AWD	XLE Electric Motors	131 city/109 hwy
		Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		Woodland 235/60 tires Electric Motors	127 city/107 hwy
		Woodland 235/65 tires Electric Motors	117 city/100 hwy
Recon
	AWD	Electric Motors	80 city/62 hwy

The bZ can travel longer on a full charge than the Recon on a full charge:

			Miles
bZ
	FWD	XLE Plus Electric Motor	314 miles
		XLE Electric Motor	236 miles
	AWD	XLE Electric Motors	288 miles
		Limited Electric Motors	278 miles
		Woodland 235/60 tires Electric Motors	281 miles
		Woodland 235/65 tires Electric Motors	260 miles
Recon
	AWD	Electric Motors	222 miles

The bZ Woodland’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Recon’s standard 70 series tires. The bZ Limited’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Recon’s 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the bZ Limited has standard 20-inch wheels. The Recon’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Toyota bZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1650 to 2050 pounds less than the Jeep Recon.

The bZ is 8.7 inches shorter than the Recon, making the bZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The bZ is 8.8 inches shorter in height than the Recon, making the bZ much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the bZ’s rear seats recline. The Recon’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the bZ is 4.1 inches lower than the Recon (18.3” vs. 22.4”). The bZ’s rear step up height is 4.4 inches lower than the Recon’s (18” vs. 22.4”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the bZ easier. The bZ’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Recon’s liftover is 35.1 inches.

The bZ’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Recon’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the bZ’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Recon doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Recon is limited to 3300 pounds. The bZ offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

If the windows are left open on the bZ the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Recon can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The bZ’s standard Smart Key System allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Recon doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

Both the Toyota bZ and Jeep Recon offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The bZ features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Recon’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Toyota bZ stands out above the Jeep Recon by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility.

The bZ is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Recon doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota bZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.