Jeep’s 2026 Moab Concepts Bring Back Vintage Style With a Restomod XJ and Retro Wranglers
Jeep knows exactly how to get enthusiasts talking when Easter Jeep Safari rolls around, and this year’s batch of Moab concepts might be one of its most entertaining lineups in recent memory. The brand has pulled the wraps off six new builds for the annual off-road gathering in Utah, mixing heritage-inspired design, serious trail hardware, and just enough nostalgia to make longtime Jeep fans grin. More than anything, this group feels like Jeep having fun with its own history while still showing off how much room there is for creativity within the current lineup.
The headline grabber for many people will be the Wrangler Anvil 715, and it is not hard to see why. Based on a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the concept borrows visual inspiration from the old Kaiser Jeep M715 military truck from the 1960s and transforms the front end into something far more aggressive and distinctive than the standard Wrangler nose. With its drab green finish, yellow-tinted headlights, custom overlanding roof, 37-inch tires, and 392 Hemi V-8 power, the Anvil 715 looks like the kind of machine that would be just as comfortable crawling through Moab as it would sitting on display surrounded by a crowd of admirers.
What makes the Anvil 715 especially interesting is that it does not come across as a wild fantasy build with no practical thought behind it. Jeep clearly imagined it as a real adventure rig. The added roof height, integrated skylights, roof rack, onboard air system, heavy-duty bumpers, extra lighting, and trail-focused mapping setup all make it feel purposeful. There is also something appealing about the way Jeep continues revisiting its military roots without overdoing it. The result is a concept that looks tough, useful, and just a little bit nostalgic in all the right ways.
If the Anvil leans into military heritage, the Wrangler Laredo heads in an entirely different direction and might end up being the crowd favorite for old-school Jeep fans. This one takes its cue from the original Laredo trim and wraps a modern Wrangler in a wonderfully retro gold-and-brown color treatment that feels straight out of the 1970s. It is based on the Willys trim and pairs a 3.6-liter V-6 with a six-speed manual, which already gives it a bit of enthusiast credibility before you even get to the half-doors, chrome-look wheels, and custom hardtop with a sliding retractable roof.
The Laredo concept also feels like a reminder that not every special build needs to be extreme to make an impression. Sure, it still gets a two-inch lift and 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 tires, so it is not exactly soft. But the real charm is in the details. The Southwestern-style seat inserts, washable vinyl flooring, and cheeky cowboy graphic on the dashboard give it personality that many new vehicles simply do not have. It feels playful, self-aware, and refreshingly unpolished in a way that suits Jeep perfectly.
Then there is the Pioneer concept, which may be the most emotionally appealing build of the group. Based on a 1984 Cherokee XJ, it is less a radical reinvention and more a respectful restomod. Jeep reportedly started with a remarkably well-preserved one-owner vehicle and wisely chose not to tear it apart just for the sake of spectacle. Instead, it added a two-inch lift, 17-inch wheels, 33-inch all-terrain tires, custom fender flares, rock rails, and a disconnecting sway bar while preserving much of the original vehicle’s character. That restraint is what makes it cool.
The Pioneer’s backstory only adds to the appeal. Jeep says the donor XJ came with a notebook documenting every fuel fill-up over its four-decade life, which is the sort of detail that makes enthusiasts instantly fall in love with a build like this. Even better, the original tan paint and red beltline stripe remain part of the package, and the interior is said to be largely untouched. Add in a custom cooler made from the box of an original Apple Macintosh Plus, and you have a concept that feels less like a corporate exercise and more like a genuine tribute to the kind of Jeep people hold onto for a lifetime.
The rest of the lineup rounds things out nicely. The Wrangler Buzzcut goes all in on Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts, wearing bright Vitamin C Orange paint, a roof chopped by two inches, and a long list of trail-ready upgrades. The Grand Wagoneer Commander brings a stealthy, upscale vibe with blacked-out styling, 35-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, and graphics inspired by vintage woodgrain Wagoneers. Finally, the Gladiator Red Rock honors the Red Rock 4-Wheelers club that makes Easter Jeep Safari possible, combining Mopar parts, beadlock wheels, a three-inch lift, and practical cargo solutions into a pickup that looks ready to get dirty immediately.
Taken together, these six concepts show that Jeep still understands something many brands miss. Enthusiasts want capability, of course, but they also want character. They want stories, throwback cues, oddball details, and vehicles that feel like they were designed by people who actually care about the culture surrounding them. This year’s Moab group delivers exactly that. Whether your taste leans toward the military-inspired Anvil 715, the shag-carpet-era vibes of the Laredo, or the lovingly preserved XJ Pioneer, Jeep has managed to turn its annual Moab appearance into a celebration of both its past and its enthusiast future.
