Jeep Celebrates 85 Years With Special Editions and New Wrangler Releases

Jeep marks its 85th anniversary with special-edition SUVs and the Twelve 4 Twelve program, Stellantis reports, including monthly Wrangler releases and upcoming electric Recon.

Jeep is marking its 85th anniversary this year, a milestone rooted in the brand’s origins with the 1941 Willys military vehicle. To celebrate the occasion, the company has launched a series of special editions and product initiatives designed to highlight its heritage and long-standing influence on the evolution of off-road vehicles.

At the center of the celebration is the Twelve 4 Twelve program. Under this initiative, Jeep plans to unveil a new special edition Wrangler every month throughout the year. The campaign began with the Jeep Wrangler Moab 392, powered by a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 producing 470 horsepower. The return of this V8-powered variant reflects strong demand from enthusiasts who wanted to see the high-performance configuration continue.

Additional releases have followed as part of the same series, including the Wrangler Whitecap and the Wrangler Willys 392. Each model contributes to a sequence of limited-edition versions intended to maintain interest in the Wrangler lineup during the anniversary year.

Alongside the monthly releases, Jeep introduced a broader range of vehicles in 85th Anniversary Edition form. The commemorative versions are available for the Wrangler, Gladiator, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer and Compass. These models are distinguished by design elements such as Steel Oxide wheels, Agave Blue badging and interior accents featuring Mayan Gold stitching.

Inside the vehicles, plaid seat inserts stand out as a stylistic nod to Jeep’s heritage and the brand’s association with outdoor culture. On the Wrangler and Gladiator, the anniversary treatment also includes bronze tow hooks and dedicated commemorative emblems.

The anniversary celebrations also revisit key milestones in Jeep’s history. The company highlights the 1949 Willys Wagon as one of the first utility vehicles to combine four-wheel drive with an all-steel body. In 1963, the Jeep Wagoneer arrived with a blend of off-road capability and passenger-car comfort, a combination the brand describes as establishing the template for the modern SUV.

Another major step came with the 1984 Jeep Cherokee, widely noted for introducing a unibody structure to the SUV segment. Less than a decade later, the Grand Cherokee debuted in 1993, helping to move the category toward a more premium direction while strengthening Jeep’s presence in the global market.

The anniversary year also looks ahead. Later in 2026, Jeep plans to launch the all-electric Jeep Recon, positioned as the brand’s first electric SUV to carry the Trail Rated designation. According to official information, the vehicle will retain signature Jeep elements such as removable doors, detachable windows and the Sky One-Touch power top.

In that sense, Jeep’s 85th anniversary serves not only as a celebration of its past but also as a statement about its future. Limited editions draw attention to the brand’s long tradition of off-road vehicles, while the upcoming electric Recon signals how Jeep intends to carry that legacy into the next technological era.