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Jeep has been an SUV innovator for decades, but now the brand is blazing new trails in the EV space. With the release of the 2026 Jeep Recon, they have officially blurred the boundaries between electric innovation and legendary off-road capability. How? Well, the Recon is the first and only fully electric Trail-Rated SUV. With a dedicated electric architecture, this groundbreaking vehicle combines Jeep’s rugged DNA with all-electric power, resulting in an SUV that’s sure to impress both Jeep fans and eco-friendly EV enthusiasts. At Santee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we're excited to bring you the inside scoop on everything that makes the 2026 Jeep Recon a game-changer in the world of electric SUVs. more Electrified Power and Capability Once upon a time, it was thought that EVs couldn’t be as powerful as their gas-powered counterparts. Luckily, that’s history, especially if we’re talking about the new Jeep Recon. This electric SUV delivers a jaw-dropping 650 horsepower and 620 lb.-ft. of instant torque, launching from 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. With an estimated all-electric range of up to 250 miles, the Recon gives you the freedom to explore further without range anxiety. Whether you're heading out on a weekend camping trip or making your daily commute, you can get where you’re going without needing to stop to charge up every day. What truly sets the Recon apart is its standard all-electric four-wheel drive system, engineered to deliver traction across any terrain. Paired with Jeep's legendary Selec-Terrain® traction management system, multiple drive modes help you conquer mud, rocks, sand, snow, and more. Built for Your Wildest Dreams Whether you're heading to Santee State Park or to the coast for a beach weekend, the all-new 2026 Jeep Recon is what you've been waiting for. Here's what makes it the ultimate adventure companion: Iconic Open-Air Freedom: Experience the great outdoors like never before with removable doors, rear quarter glass, and swing gate glass. You won’t feel this kind of freedom by simply rolling down your windows. Off-Road Focused Design: Every inch of the Recon is designed to help you feel confident on uneven trails and backcountry roads. With protective skid plates, robust underbody armor, and impressive ground clearance, this electric SUV makes it easy to tackle campsites, river crossings, and mountain paths. Comfortable, Functional Interior: Roomy, rugged, and ready for anything, the Recon's cabin delivers both durability and refinement. Clever storage solutions keep you organized, no matter what you're loading up. Trail Rated® Ruggedness: The Recon is the only electric SUV of its kind to wear the coveted Trail Rated® badge. It earned its stripes through rigorous testing across five critical off-road capabilities: traction, water fording, maneuverability, articulation, and ground clearance. When you see that badge, you know the Recon means business. Drive Home in a New Jeep for Sale in Manning, SC Today! At Santee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we’re excitedly awaiting the arrival of Jeep's off-road EV. With a starting MSRP of $65,000, the 2026 Jeep Recon will begin production in early 2026 and is set to be available shortly after. Contact us to learn more about availability and ordering your new Recon! In the meantime, explore our entire new Jeep inventory, including other electric Jeep models like the 4xe lineup! As your go-to Jeep dealership near Sumter, we proudly serve drivers across the Pee Dee region.

If you're up for a day of walking and learning something new about Manning, South Carolina, there are some great ways to discover the city. Downtown Manning is full of history, local charm, and southern hospitality. Here's how you can spend a day taking in all that this town has to offer. more Tour the Historic District The Manning Historic District consists of 63 different buildings that have played a part in the establishment and evolution of the town since the 1800s. Starting in the Courthouse Square, the center of town when it was laid out in 1856, walk around and through several of the architectural treasures of the city. Keep an eye out for the Clarendon County Courthouse, Alderman's 20 in One Store, the People Bank and Trust Building, and the Levi Building. On North Brooks Street in Downtown Manning, you'll find the Clarendon Chamber building. Don't miss the historic marker outside the building and the Francis Marion statue. Francis Marion was known as the Swamp Fox for his early use of guerilla warfare against the British army during the Revolutionary War. Follow Along the Swamp Fox Murals Trail American history buffs will love to see the Swamp Fox Murals in Manning. Twelve of the murals along the trail are found in the downtown Manning area. The towns of Paxville, Turbeville, and Summerton host the other murals from the collection. The Clarendon County app is available for your phone and will help you find the various murals and tell their stories. Maps are available online to help you follow the story as you see the trail. The Swamp Fox Murals are painted on the sides of various buildings in Clarendon County and depict scenes from the American Revolution and the battles and historic moments that happened along the Santee River. If you have time, consider jumping in the car and visiting the other sites of the Swamp Fox Murals Trail outside of Manning. The newest addition to the murals is in Turbeville. All four towns are within a 25-minute drive of one another, so it won't take much of your day. Enjoy Dinner at Porter Jacks Grill On South Mill Street in the heart of Manning, Porter Jacks Grill is a local favorite spot for dinner and comfort food. Start with some potato skins and crispy, thin onion rings. If you like seafood, be sure to try the deviled eggs and fried oysters. Main course options include a mouth-watering BBQ Pork Rib-Eye and four different cuts of perfectly-prepared steak. For a traditional southern meal, the Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits are a Porter Jack favorite with shrimp, Andouille sausage, and peppers. If your long day of touring the town has taken your energy, consider ordering online and picking up your food to enjoy at home. Their full menu is available, so you won't have to prepare anything yourself. Don't miss out on the rich history of Manning and the surrounding area. You never know what interesting things have taken place around you until you take the time to learn and investigate. image via pixabay

With work and family commanding much of our time and brainpower, it can be hard to remember to take some time to have fun. Thankfully, the area around Manning, South Carolina, has several places you can go to have a good time and recharge a little from everyday life. Here are three fun things to do near Manning. more Explore Santee State Park Santee State Park is on the shores of Lake Marion, just about 25 minutes south of Manning. This is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and go for a walk or have a picnic. If you want to get out on the water, there are several options for paddle boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Many different species of birds make their homes around the water, so there's plenty of opportunities for bird watching. For a fun adventure with family or a group of friends, book a Wildlife Swamp Tour. You'll get on board a pontoon boat for a 2-hour trip around the water to see egrets, herons, ducks, turtles, and even some alligators. Tours for 20 or more people can be scheduled at any time of the year. Regular tours run from March through October on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1 p.m. There's also a tour of the historical area of the Santee-Cooper locks available upon request. Tour the Swan Lake Iris Gardens In the city of Sumter, a 25-minute drive north of Manning, the Swan Lake Iris Gardens welcome visitors to see the spectacular flowers and swans that live on and around the lake. Open every day from dawn until dusk, this is an easy place to visit when the weather is nice. Admission is free and there's a visitor's center open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays. From March through November, the Iris Market and Cafe offers visitors a bite to eat on Thursdays, Fridays, and throughout the weekend. Don't miss the Chocolate and Butterfly Gardens during your visit. The Butterfly Garden cares for several species of butterflies, and you can even see some undergoing their transformations during the right season. The Chocolate Garden features several edible plants that look like chocolate but maintain their vegetable or plant tastes. Eight different species of swan make their homes at Swan Lake including the Whistler Swan, the Bewick Swan, and the Coscoroba. Be sure to visit during the annual Iris Festival at the end of May. Party at Savannah Break Savannah Break is a fun spot in Sumpter where adults can go for a great night of drinks, darts, karaoke, and more. Come and belt out your favorite tunes on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Stop in on a Wednesday night to try your hand at some competitive darts. You'll need to become a member before making this your regular spot for drinks, according to South Carolina law, but it's definitely worth the short application time. Keep an eye on their social media sites for regular events and happy hour specials. Next time you're feeling a little worn out, take some time out for fun with people you love and enjoy. Check out these local spots and make great memories. image via pixabay

If you love the outdoors, you probably desire cooler weather. If so, good news! There are some great hikes that get even better in the winter months. Here's a look at some of the most underrated winter hikes in the Manning, South Carolina area. more Congaree National Park This South Carolina gem is one of the oldest bottomland hardwood forests in the state. With most of the park situated at the bottom of a flood plain, there is very little elevation change, making this a great place to hike for novices. There are also eight trails to choose from at Congaree National Park, some as short as 0.3 miles. For the seasoned hiker, the park offers trails over 11 miles long. All trails wind through this beautiful forest starting from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. The Boardwalk Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop with a slight elevation change to the bottom of the flood plain. The trail is wheelchair accessible, and has benches along the way. For another fairly easy hike, the Bluff Trail loops north from the visitor center for 1.7-mile hike through young loblolly trees, and pines. If you want a longer hike, check out the Oakridge Trail. This is a 7-mile hike across a ridge of old oaks. The low-lying sloughs across this ridge line offer plenty of shelter to deer and wild turkey. Poinsett State Park Accessed from Poinsett Park Road in Wedgefield, South Carolina, the Poinsett State Park is a great place for hiking in winter. The 10-acre pond offers plenty of winding trails with very little elevation change, making this a great location for casual hikes. The Park is nestled in the High Hills of Santee, and includes a dozen trails of varying length and skill level. The kids will love the quick 0.2-mile Levi's Run. If you want a view, try the Hill Top Trail. This short 0.4-mile trail will take you up quickly. If you plan on spending the day, the Whippoorwill Trail offers 5.4 miles of hiking through the beautiful hills. You can see animals like deer, and birds of all types. The park offers cabins for rent, and a camping area too. There are park offices and restrooms, and plenty of trail signs so you don't get lost. Ann Springs Close Greenway This nature preserve is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and accessed via the Greenway Gateway on Adventure Road. The serious hiker can join their hiking club, which regularly explores this 2,100-acre wonderland. The novice will enjoy guided hikes through the region, while you learn about nature and the local wildlife. History buffs will enjoy hiking a portion of the famous Nation Ford Road. This was once part of the main roadway stretching from Augusta, Georgia all the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There's also the Garrison-Webb Gristmill to visit. Check out this historic 1780 gristmill, which served the local area for over 100 years. You'll hike trails that have been used for nearly 250 years. There are plenty of winter hiking venues in the Manning, South Carolina area. The next time you're looking for a fun day outdoors, you should check out one of these three great places. image via pixabay