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I’ve been pretty critical of Stellantis lately. I think the strategy of “put a V8 in everything” was effective in the 2010s, but not the best strategy as we pass the midpoint of the 2020s. When you add the fact that plug-in hybrids, like the Wrangler, had tons of recalls, it does raise a few red flags.
I stand by those criticisms, but I also think there are some things that the company does that are right and good, and Stellantis has been the only one to pull it off effectively.
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Yesterday, Jeep showed off a couple of retro-inspired Jeeps based on the Rewind concept from Easter Jeep Safari of 2025. That is a smart move, and something Jeep can do uniquely well.
Jeep
Retro-inspired vehicles are kinda Jeep’s jam, though most focus on the World War II heritage that went along with the company’s founding. But with the world teetering on a potentially new global conflict, war-inspired Jeeps aren’t really a smart idea.
Jeep
The Rewind concept from last year drew a ton of attention during its backgrounder event that I attended. It had some clever touches, including a special interior, that didn’t make it over to the production version. But the basics are there, including the color and some of the graphics.
💡Do you have information about Jeep’s plans? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me on Signal at chadkirchner.1701, or with another secure communication method.
It’s positioned as one of the drops as part of Jeep’s 12 for 12 series, and is only $1,900 more than a non-Rewind Jeep. For the special graphics and design, that seems like it’s worth it. Here’s a breakdown from Jeep of what the package entails:
Exterior highlights:
Multicolor exterior graphics inspired by the bold hues and patterns of the mixtape and roller skate era
Limited‑run exterior color palette features vibrant, era‑accurate shades
Gold accent wheels and tow hooks add a premium, retro‑forward touch
Off-road tires and steel rock rails
Painted body-color fender flares
Limited body-color combinations available, including Bright White, Granite Crystal, Anvil, Gloss Black, Hydro Blue, Joose, Earl (Wrangler only), and Reign
Interior highlights:
Bespoke Nappa Leather seats with embossed patterns influenced by classic 8‑bit arcade graphics
Fun, era‑inspired accent stitching and color‑matched painted interior details
Unique dot-matrix-inspired shift knob cap, paired with exclusive cupholder plaques for Wrangler and Gladiator, plus a swing‑gate plaque and spare tire cover for Wrangler
All-weather slush mats
I have nothing much more to add other than I dig it, and I like the idea of drops like these, even if some of my colleagues do not. I also applaud a special edition that doesn’t lean heavily into the military aspect. Sure, doing it sometimes is fine, as it is Jeep’s heritage, but there are more sources of cool editions, and it’s nice to see Jeep explore those avenues, too.