Jeep reveals 2024 Wrangler
Jeep have released details on their 2024 Wrangler range for North America ahead of its release later this year, the key additions being two new model grades, improved safety, additional comfort features, enhanced off-road equipment and more available options.
It must be stressed that all the following applies to the North American market. Details on the 2024 Wrangler range for Australia are still to be confirmed, but we should receive at least some of what the USA is getting.
Jeep brand CEO, Christian Meunier, described the MY24 Wrangler as the most capable to date, with more technology, comfort and safety features.
Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, added: "The new Wrangler takes the best and makes it better, with even more legendary 4x4 capability, thanks to our first full-float Dana rear axle that makes it possible for Wrangler owners to easily upsize tires; a more advanced and comfortable interior with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and available power seats tested for water fording; more safety and technology, including standard side-curtain airbags; and a stylish, fresh take on the iconic seven-slot grille that keeps the overall design true to the original.”
Six plus Two
The MY24 Wrangler lineup for North America includes familiar model grades in the form of the Sport, Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon and Rubicon 392. New additions include the Sport S and Rubicon X, both of which bring extra or alternative equipment to the grades they’re based on and are powered by a PHEV drivetrain as standard.
Currently, Australia receives the Night Eagle, Overland and Rubicon grades, with the latter almost certain to continue in the MY24 range, with perhaps the Sport and Sahara replacing the current entry- and mid-level grades here.
The grade (mostly) determines the drivetrain options, which start with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four producing 201kW and 400Nm. This same engine forms the basis of the ‘4xe’ PHEV, with the addition of two electric motors and supporting battery pack increasing output to 280kW and 637Nm. In the 4xe, electric-only range of 33km is claimed, along with economy of 49mpg (4.8lt/100km) equivalent, while an ‘E Selec’ function allows the hybrid powertrain to be tailored to suit driver preference and road/trail conditions.
Above this is the familiar 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ petrol V6 fitted to Wranglers for the Australian market. Outputs of 212kW and 352Nm for 2024 are slightly up on the 209kW and 347Nm currently listed for Australian-market Wranglers with the same engine.
At the top of the tree is the 6.4-litre (392ci) V8 that’s the key feature on the Wrangler Rubicon 392 that was originally released in 2020 for the 2021 model year. Unfortunately, the Rubicon 392 was ruled out of the Australian market then and is unlikely to be offered to us in 2024. Unchanged in terms of output from when it was introduced, this potent, naturally-aspirated HEMI V8 produces 350kW and 637Nm, while cylinder deactivation technology improves fuel economy.
While the Wrangler for Australia only offers an eight-speed automatic transmission, North American buyers can choose a six-speed manual, but this is not available for the Rubicon 392 or models with a 4xe PHEV drivetrain.
Capability Improved
Depending on the model grade, the MY24 Wrangler will come with a part-time Command-Trac or Rock-Trac 4x4 system, or the full-time Rock-Trac or Selec-Trac system; with the latter a feature of the Trail Rated Rubicon range.
Trail Rated models come with tow hooks front and rear, four skid plates, Dana solid axles front and rear, a two-speed transfer case, traction control and a minimum tyre size of 32 inches as standard. In addition to underbody protection, Willys and Rubicon grades add rock rails as standard, too.
Listed approach/departure/breakover angles are 47.4 degrees, 40.4 and 27.8 degrees, respectively, for the Wrangler Unlimited, with ground clearance of 327mm and a fording depth of up to 863mm.
New to the Rubicon for 2024 is a Dana 44 full-floating rear axle; a Wrangler first that allows larger wheel-tyre combinations to be fitted and makes for a stronger back end, but the trade-off is slightly reduced towing capacity – down from 2495kg braked to 2268kg with the 3.6 V6 and automatic. The full-floater rear is limited to Wrangler Rubicons with the 2.0 or 3.6 engines with an auto.
A new option for the 2024 Rubicon is a factory-installed 8,000lb Warn winch, mounted in a steel bumper with removable end caps.
Other Rubicon features, like the electronic front sway bar disconnect, Rock-Trac part-time transfer case, front and rear diff locks and 33-inch tyres on 17-inch wheels carry over for the 2024 model, while the Rubicon 392 retains its Selec-Trac full-time 4x4 system with 2.70:1 low ratio, Xtreme 35 package and 4.56 axle ratio. Crawl ratios of 100:1 are available.
Of the other grades, additions to the Willys for the coming year include a rear diff lock and 33-inch tyres, while the all-new Rubicon X grade comes with steel bumpers, an integrated off-road camera, Rock-Trac full-time transfer case and beadlock-capable wheels with 35-inch tyres as standard.
A five-link suspension arrangement remains, with upper and lower control arms and track bars at each end, while the body-on-frame construction carries over, too.
Style, Tech and Safety
While styling appears unchanged from the current Wrangler, some subtle changes have been introduced, including the grille design from this year’s Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary limited-edition that’s been updated with different colours and finishes, depending on the model grade. The new design is said to improve cooling, while its shorter depth allows for the installation of the aforementioned optional Warn winch.
The antenna is now integrated into the front windshield and ten new wheel designs will be available across 17- to 20-inch sizes, including beadlock-capable options.
There’s a new standard premium soft-top, while hardtops, the Sky One-Touch powered soft top and half-door options carry over.
Paint options for the North American market number ten, including new ‘Anvil’, which is another grey shade to add to the three currently available.
Inside, the High Altitude grade adds an optional Mantis Green finish for the instrument panel bolster and Nappa leather seats. Soft-touch surfaces on top of the instrument panel are new, along with provision for AMPS brackets.
The new Rubicon X grade upps the comfort level inside, offering equipment similar to that of the High Altitude grade, with standard Nappa leather seats, 12-way adjustable powered front seats and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system.
Standard across the MY24 range is an all-new 12.3-inch centre console touchscreen that replaces the previous 7.0- and 8.4-inch screens. The largest touchscreen ever offered in a Wrangler sits in a dash that also features new, slimmer inboard vents. Seven USB ports are located throughout the interior, with the Type C ports at the front offering four times faster charging, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard.
The latest Uconnect 5 system is also standard, offering over-the-air updates and faster operating speeds. A new feature to access with this is Trails Offroad; a system of trail guides that includes 62 pre-loaded Jeep ‘Badge of Honor’ trails in the US, like the Rubicon Trail, with access to over 3,000 more via a subscription system. Data on the route, key waypoints, obstacles, points of interest and difficulty levels are included for each trail.
Additionally, Uconnect 5 now also allows up to five user profiles to be loaded, two Bluetooth-connected phones can be operated simultaneously, SiriusXM 360L and personalised stations with Pandora is new and the home screen is fully customisable.
On Wranglers with the 4xe, a new addition is the 4xe Power Box with four 120V outlets that allows the Jeep to power various devices.
Safety upgrades of note include body changes that improve side-impact protection and the addition of first- and second-row curtain airbags on all grades, complementing the existing airbag suite, while seatbelt pre-tensioners are added to the outboard second-row seats.
All model grades except the entry-level Sport will come with forward-collision warning and advanced cruise control with stop function, while blind spot detection is standard on the MY24 High Altitude, Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, and optional on all other model grades except the Sport. The same applies to the ParkSense rear park assist system, but a ParkView reversing camera is standard range-wide.
Australia TBC
As mentioned, all model grades, specs, new features and other information in this article refers to Wranglers for the North American market, and while several of the listed model grades and engine options are unlikely to be offered here, the tech and safety features (excluding the Trail Offroad guides) should be little changed for Australian market models.
Details on the MY24 Wrangler range for Australia are expected later this year.