Opting for subtle but meaningful upgrades, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler has debuted at the New York International Auto Show. The mid-cycle facelift promises better off-road performance, improved safety, and increased refinement, all with subtle tweaks to the exterior appearance.
Highlights include a new Dana 44 Full Float solid rear axle for the Rubicon editions, the introduction of new trims with enhanced standard equipment, and improved safety as standard. Meanwhile, the accessibility of the Wrangler 4xe — Jeep’s plug-in hybrid offering — will be available at a lower starting price with the Sport S 4xe, as the brand heads towards ensuring half of all new Jeep sales are electric.
New Grille, Wheel Designs, And Colors
Live photos Mike Gauthier/Carscoops
The new seven-slot grille for the Wrangler is the most obvious change for the 2024 model year and will serve as the main external differentiating factor. The slats are slimmer and more upright, much like the design of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, and also apes what was found on the controversial Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions. The slats also appear inlaid on the front facia, ditching the body-colored appearance for a fussier but aggressive combo of black textured slots, neutral gray metallic bezels, and a body-color surround.
Related: Thoughts On Jeep’s New Seven-Slot Grille On The Wrangler Rubicon 20th Ann. Editions?
The changes aren’t just for show, though, as Jeep claims the new design helps improve cooling. It’s also necessary for the Rubicon’s factory-installed Warn winch. Another functional consideration is banishing the steel mast antenna that could snag on trees — it’s replaced by a “stealth antenna” integrated into the windscreen. A new premium soft top now comes as standard, while the Wrangler High Altitude gets the nifty Sky One-Touch powertop as standard.
For 2024 10 new wheel designs range in size from 17 inches to 20 inches. For those wishing to up the ante, there are also beadlock-capable options for the Xtreme 35 package, while tire sizes range from 32 to 35 inches.
Rubicon Gets An Upgrade, Plus New Rubicon X Option
The Rubicon name has been synonymous with capable Wranglers, and the 2024 edition aims to further that reputation. New for this model year is the Dana 44 HD full-float rear axle. There’s also a Warn winch rated at 8,000 lbs mounted on the steel bumper, straight from the factory. You also get a Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with a 4:1 4LO ratio, front sway bar disconnects, 33-inch tires, and Tru-Lok front- and rear-axle lockers.
Those wanting more capability can opt for the Rubicon X. The X adds a Rock-Trac full-time transfer case, a camera that helps with off-roading, and 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires for the 2.0-liter and 3.6-liter automatic powertrains. And of course, there’s still the V8-powered Rubicon 392 with 470 hp.
The Wrangler Willys returns for 2024, this time with more 4×4-oriented bits, including a newly standard Tru-Lok rear locker, steel rock rails, trailer tow, and heavy-duty electrical group. Ride height has been improved as the tires go up by one size to 33 inches, with the fender flares altered to accommodate them.
On the greener side of things, the Wrangler’s 4xe has been America’s best-selling plug-in hybrid for the last two years. To further broaden the appeal, a new Sport S variant will lower the entry price for consumers. Meanwhile, the previous PHEV starting point, the Willys 4xe, now gets a bit more serious, featuring a Selec-Trac full-time transfer case with a 4LO ratio of 2.72:1. All 2024 Wrangle 4xes will feature a “Power Box,” which ads four 120-volt outlets with 30 amps of total output, allowing the battery pack to power external devices.
Interior Improvements Abound
2024 Jeep Wrangler
The main thrust of the 2024 update to the JL Wrangler is an improved infotainment system. There’s a new 12.3-inch touchscreen display — a drastic upgrade over the dated 7-inch unit found in the outgoing model. Similarly, the Uconnect 4 infotainment, which came when the original car was launched back in 2018, has now been upgraded to Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 Android-based system.
The new Uconnect 5 adds wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while its new Trails Offroad feature is an innovative assistant for taking the trail-rated capabilities of the Wrangler seriously.
Jeep claims they’re the first automotive brand to feature built-in off-road adventure trail guides. The system offers a comprehensive way to plan off-roading trips, with detailed trail guides for the 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails. Those include the Rubicon Trail in California, Hell’s Revenge in Utah, and Jericho Mountain in New Hampshire. The full selection on offer features over 3,000 trial guides with difficulty ratings, a route description, and key waypoints for turns, obstacles, and points of interest. But there’s a catch. You can only unlock the full catalog via the dreaded S-word: subscription.
Related: Uconnect 5 Is Android-Based And Supports Up To A 12.3-Inch Display
Thankfully you won’t have to keep paying after the initial purchase to enjoy the upgraded interior. Jeep says refinement has been improved, with soft-touch surfaces and a “heritage-inspired” center stack layout. There are also USB Type C ports as standard for front seat passengers and USB Type A and Type C ports for the second row.
High Altitude models will feature an exclusive new Mantis Green interior color, while the High Altitude, Rubicon X, and Rubicon 392 will get an acoustic front glass, a thicker carpet, and additional sound-deadening foam.
Safety has also been improved this year, with the second row now getting outboard seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. There are structural improvements to the side-impact protection, while both front and rear passengers get side airbags as standard. Traction control, ESC with electronic roll mitigation, and a reverse camera are standard on all models, while forward collision warning and advanced cruise control with ‘stop now’ come standard on Sport S trims and above.
Powertrains Remain The Same, Pricing To Be Announced
Powertrains remain the same for the 2024 model year, with three ICE options and the PHEV 4xe. The lowest rung is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, with 270 hp (201 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) of torque. The venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 remains with 285 hp (212 kW)and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque and can be mated to a manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic.
The 4xe features the 2.0-liter inline-four engine coupled to a transmission-mounted motor generator unit. The combination puts out 375 hp (280 kW), 470 lb.-ft. (637 Nm) of torque. Finally, the 6.4-liter V8 found on the Rubicon 392 outputs a whopping 470 hp (350 kW) and 470 lb-ft (638 Nm) of torque.
Expect pricing and availability to be announced later in the year. In the meantime, feel free to let us know what you think of the new additions in the comments below.
For more news on the New York Auto Show, check out our dedicated hub here.
2024 Jeep Wrangler
