2024 Jeep Wrangler Review: Significant Updates to the Icon

Evolution, not revolution, describes the updated 2024 Jeep Wrangler. The general passer-by won’t notice anything different between a 2023 and 2024 Wrangler, but owners and enthusiasts will surely appreciate the significant updates.

I put in a long day behind the wheel of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler in and around Saint George, Utah. I explored on and off road with a wide range of powertrains and trim levels on offer. Quite a lot of my time on this trip was spent with Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand North America, who really understands and lives the lifestyle the Jeep brand represents.

In short: The Wrangler JL gets some quality upgrades for 2024 that will make it better to live with. The two big upgrades you’ll notice behind the wheel are power front seats — the first time ever in a Wrangler — and an infotainment screen/system that got a massive upgrade in all regards. Things like more towing capacity, a factory-installed winch option, and side curtain airbags are all upgrades that are useful. In the end, the 2024 Wrangler is a better off-road lifestyle vehicle to live with daily and is safer and more capable from the factory.

2024 Jeep Wrangler

2024 Jeep Wrangler

(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

Specifications

• Powertrains: 2.0L I4 turbo (270 hp, 295 lb.-ft), 3.6L V6 (285 hp, 260 lb.-ft.), 4xe PHEV (375 hp, 470 lb.-ft.), or 6.4L Hemi V8 (470 hp, 470 lb.-ft.)
• Transmissions: 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual (V6 only)
• Trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, Willys, Rubicon, Rubicon X, High Altitude, and Rubicon 392
• Configurations: 2- or 4-door
• Towing capacity: 3,500-5,000 lbs.
• Payload capacity: 1,088-1,327 lbs. (4-door)
• Infotainment: 12.3" touchscreen w/Uconnect 5, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Alexa Integration, optional: TomTom nav, Trails Offroad integration
• Wheelbase: 96.8" (2-door) & 118.4" (4-door)

Pros

• Much improved and updated infotainment system
• Power front seats
• Optional winch from the factory
• More towing capacity (up to 5,000 lbs.)
• Quieter Interior
• More safety features standard

Cons

• Still no dead pedal
• No diesel powertrain option
• Only the V6 offered with 6-speed manual
• New grille looks a little smooshed

Bryon Dorr

2024 Jeep Wrangler Review

2024 Wrangler Powertrain Options

You can choose between a 2.0L I4 turbo (270 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque), 3.6L V6 (285 horsepower, 260 pound-feet), 4xe PHEV (375 horsepower, 470 pound-feet), or 6.4L Hemi V8 (470 horsepower, 470 pound-feet) to power your 2024 Wrangler. I’ve now driven all the powertrains. The only thing missing from the 2024 lineup is the Eco-Diesel.

The only reason I see to buy a V6 Wrangler is to get the six-speed manual transmission, as it’s the only powertrain offered with a manual. It’s a fine powerplant but is outshined in performance and refinement by the other options.

The little turbo-four is better than you’d expect but makes pathetic exhaust sounds. The 392, of course, makes all the right sounds and has all the power, but it also guzzles the dino juice and demands a hefty price tag. The 4xe is an impressive usable package that is just as good at your local commute as it is climbing sandstone at Sand Hollow state park.

The 4xe powertrain gets a 50% regen improvement, in eSave mode, for 2024. This means that it’s substantially faster to top off the batteries, when using the gas motor for propulsion, than ever before. All-electric off-road driving is way more fun than you might imagine!

The 4xe-equipped 2024 Wranglers also get an available Jeep Powerbox (standard on most 4xe versions). The box is an accessory that features four 120V outlets with 30 A of total output. This little gadget allows you to power all sorts of electronics and appliances off your Wrangler PHEV’s battery pack.

Whether at camp or during a natural disaster, this is a very useful tool. It will not work with past model year 4xe vehicles, however.

2024 Wrangler Trims

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler is available in the following trims; Sport, Sport S, Sahara, Willys, Rubicon, Rubicon X, High Altitude, and Rubicon 392. It is also available with 10 all-new wheel designs and 10 total exterior colors, including a new-for-2024 Anvil (a blue/gray).

For 2024, the 392 gets 35s standard, as does the new Rubicon X package on four-door I4- and V6-equipped Wranglers.

The value package that impressed me is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys, which starts at $39,395. It has the off-road goodies you need for general off-pavement fun and offers 10.8 inches of ground clearance. The Willys now comes standard on 33-inch all-terrain tires, has high-clearance fender flares, rock sliders, and a rear-locking differential. It also now comes with Off Road+ for the first time.

2024 Wrangler Exterior Updates

From the outside, there are very few things that will clue you into the 2024 model year, but there are a few telltale signs.

Grille & Winch

The most significant is the grille, which is now wider and less tall, with bigger openings between the signature seven slots. The main reason for this update is the airflow to the radiator. This allows for an increased tow rating (in conjunction with an optional new full-floating rear axle) and the availability of a factory-fitted winch for the first time ever on a Wrangler.

The winch on offer, which can be optioned on any Jeep Wrangler, is an 8,000-pound-rated Warn unit with a synthetic line. The extra weight of the winch means that when equipped, the Wrangler will also have heavy-duty front springs. The Jeep had to be crash tested again when the winch was added as a factory option, which lead to larger plastic crush cans on the winch bumper.

New Wrangler Details

No more antennas breaking off on your Wrangler when off-roading. The 2024 model gets the antenna integrated into the windshield. This also means there is now a Trail Rated badge on both sides of every 2024 Wrangler.

The center caps on the wheels of all 2024 Wranglers now feature a tiny Jeep silhouette, just like you find on the top of the gear selector/shifter.

While it’s not super easy to spot, there is now a Dana 44 HD full-float solid rear axle under four-door I4- and V6-equipped Wrangler Rubicon on 33s. Yes, that is very specific. But, if you go with one of those configurations, you now get up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity. All other Wrangler models remain at 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.

2024 Wrangler Interior Updates

Big, Bright, and Fast Infotainment System

Probably the most substantial upgrade for most Jeep users is the new 12.3-inch landscape screen, which is standard across all 2024 Wranglers. Also, standard is Uconnect 5 — an Android system with Alexa integration — that is five times more powerful, supports over-the-air updates (OTA), is super personalizable, offers five user and one valet profiles, and an optional TomTom navigation integration. It also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

I found the new bright backlit screen to be great in all sun conditions and viewing angles. I also found the Uconnect 5 system to be very responsive and pretty well laid out. Alexa voice assistant works great, as does the wireless Apple CarPlay. I was not as impressed with the TomTom navigation, at all, but Google Maps through CarPlay worked flawlessly.

Also, an option — free for 2 years with the navigation package — in the new infotainment screen is Jeep Adventure Guides, which is a custom version of Trails Offroad. Included in the free trial are 200+ off-road routes including 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails. You can upgrade and/or extend that basic trial system with a $39.99 annual subscription that unlocks over 3,000 trails.

Trails Offroad delivers comprehensive off-road trail guides with a 1-10 difficulty scale, tons of detailed info, navigation to the trail (which must be connected but can pre-download routes and nav), GPS trail logs for recording your route, and even integration with the pitch/roll and camera screens in the Wrangler.

New Interior Details

Across the dash, you’ll also find a new fabric-wrapped insert. Different fabrics come with the various trim levels.

One of the things everyone is talking about with the new Wrangler is that for the first time ever, you can order one with power-adjustable front seats. The available 12-way power-adjustable front seats offer heat — but not cooling/ventilation. They are the same shape and style that we’re accustomed to in the Wrangler. The adjustments are great, with bottom cushion tilt control and a multiway lumbar adjustor.

Safety is also on Jeep’s mind with the new Wrangler, which now features standard first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Standard — on Sport S and above — are also forward collision warning and advanced cruise control with stop.

Inside the cabin of the 2024 Wrangler is also less road and wind noise. This is due to new acoustic front glass, foam in the windshield surround, sound deadening in the dashboard, and new carpet treatment. While it is quieter, it is still a Wrangler. That means it’s still louder in the cabin than nearly every other vehicle on the road.

The last thing you might notice inside a 2024 Wrangler 4xe is a new set of lights on the top of the dash. This is a new battery charge indicator system. A handy quick visual, especially when off-road driving in full electric mode.

2024 Jeep Wrangler: Pricing & Availability

Pricing for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler starts at $33,690 (including destination charges). A new lower entry price for 4xe is available for 2024, with the Sport S 4xe, at $51,790. Also new for 2024 is the Rubicon X trim, which offers 35-inch tires on four-door I4 and V6 automatic powertrain Wranglers, for a starting price of $56,690. The starting price for the 2024 Wrangler Rubicon 392 is $89,390, the most in the lineup.

The latest Jeep Wrangler is just now rolling into dealerships. Go check one out for yourself. The 2024 version is for sure a solid update to the icon.

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