If you spend your weekends in the wild outdoors—or simply want to appear as you do—the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is an SUV that will carry you almost everywhere you want to go. Jeep has evolved from its military beginnings to provide lots of creature amenities, with higher-end trims bordering on sumptuous. That doesn’t mean the Wrangler will provide you with a pillowy ride or massage your behind on the way to the trailhead. It’s still a truck with truck-like driving manners. Its ride on broken pavement may be unpleasant, and its steering requires regular correction just to keep it moving straight. According to all accounts, the Ford Bronco and Toyota 4Runner are more refined choices with comparable capabilities. Jeep, on the other hand, provides many more powertrain options than its competitors, including a plug-in hybrid variation and a 470-hp V-8 specific to the Rubicon 392 model.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Fantastic off-roading ability | Excessive wind and road noise | |
| Intuitive infotainment system | Subpar on-road ride and handling | |
| Potent engine options | Poor fuel economy | |
What’s New for 2024
For 2024, the Wrangler receives a minor cosmetic and technological upgrade, including a redesigned grille and ten new wheel styles. Inside, a new 12.3-inch infotainment display replaces the smaller 5.0- and 7.0-inch screens seen in last year’s Wranglers. The new display also has the most recent version of Jeep’s infotainment software, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The inbuilt navigation system contains maps for over 2000 trails, with the option to download additional trails. Jeep has added a more powerful active noise-cancellation system to help keep the interior quiet during phone calls. The plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain is now available on Sport and Rubicon X grades, as well as a 3.6-kilowatt auxiliary battery to power accessories.
Here are the key changes for the Jeep Wrangler over the last few years:
2024: refreshed interior and exterior styling; turbodiesel V6 discontinued; updated infotainment system; improved interior sound dampening; revamped features and trim lineup
2023: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and air conditioning added to standard features list
2022: increased availability of Xtreme Recon package
2021: Wrangler 4xe and Rubicon 392 models debuted; Xtreme Recon package made available
2020: turbodiesel engine debuted
Pricing and Trims
The two-door Sport edition of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler starts at $31,895 and has a 285-horsepower V6 engine and part-time four-wheel drive, among other amenities. The two-door Sport S version starts at $35,990 and includes features like power windows and door locks as well as adaptive cruise control. The Willys (base MSRP: $39,990) receives off-roading features including 33-inch off-road tires and a locking rear differential. The four-door Sahara begins at $48,420 and includes heated front seats as well as a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, among other features. The four-door High Altitude 4xe, which includes Nappa leather upholstery and rear parking sensors, starts at $66,995. The Rubicon (base MSRP for the two-door variant is $45,990) is the most competent off-roader in the series, due to features such as heavy-duty springs and hefty 33-inch off-road tires. The Rubicon 392 (base MSRP: $88,190) is the top-of-the-line four-door Rubicon with a Nappa leather interior and a strong V8 engine.
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler is available in a variety of trim levels, but the base Sport trim level is designed for off-road purists on a budget, while the top-spec Rubicon 392 is designed for all-terrain speed fanatics. We like the concept of staying true to the Wrangler’s modest beginnings while keeping the price low, so we’d start with the two-door Wrangler, which comes standard with a detachable cloth top. We don’t want to go completely bare bones, so we’d go with the Willys trim for its added features, which include 17-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential, LED exterior lighting, and built-in auxiliary switches for mounting your own accessories like a winch or a light bar. Aside from that, we’d go with the 270-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for its 295 pound-feet of torque, which is 35 pounds more than the base V-6. The four-cylinder also comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, making for low-stress trail driving.
Engine
The 2024 Wrangler is available with four engines, each with its own set of strengths. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional. The V6 engine has sufficient power for most driving scenarios; however, it can whine when pushed hard on the throttle. According to Jeep, depending on the transmission, it has a zero-to-60-mph time of 6 to 7 seconds.
The optional 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides additional low-end torque. When compared to the V6, the engine can produce more power at lower RPMs, resulting in faster and quieter off-the-line acceleration.
Models with the 4xe receive a 375-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain that includes a four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.3-kWh battery pack. It has lots of power, has higher fuel economy estimates than the other powertrains, and can go up to 21 miles on electricity alone. Finally, the Rubicon 392’s 470-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 gives dramatically improved performance, with a zero-to-60-mph speed of about 4.5 seconds. It’s the most powerful engine in the range, but it also delivers the lowest gas mileage. The manual transmission is simple to use, but the optional automatic transmission provides faster, smoother shifts and improved fuel efficiency.
Ride and Handling
The Wrangler is a superb off-roader, but its on-road performance is less striking. The steering in the Jeep is light and slightly imprecise, and staying in a straight path at highway speeds will require frequent adjustments. The large and boxy design of the Wrangler also lends itself to an obvious body roll. The suspension struggles to keep cabin jitteriness at bay, especially on harsher roads. On the bright side, the brakes are robust, if mushy at times.
Off-road Capability
The Wrangler’s biggest strength is its off-road ability, which has helped this Jeep become an off-road legend for decades. All Wranglers come standard with part-time four-wheel drive (the Rubicon 392 has full-time 4WD), a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, tow hooks, and other hardcore rock crawling equipment. Regardless of model, the Wrangler will gladly tackle terrain that would leave many of its small crossover competitors mired in the mud. Extras like locking differentials, rock rails, all-terrain tires, and other amenities make the Wrangler Willys and Rubicon variants even more competent.
The Wrangler Rubicon is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when fully equipped, which is great for the small SUV class. Most four-door Wrangler Unlimited vehicles have a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, while two-door variants have a capacity of 2,000 pounds.
Interior
The interior of the 2024 Wrangler has been modified by Jeep, and the improvements are mostly for the better. The build quality of the interior remains sturdy, and its aesthetic mixes characteristic Jeep toughness with greater sophistication than before. Base trims still have a lot of visible hard plastics, but even those materials feel strong and don’t detract much from the interior environment. Higher trims, on the other hand, seem borderline sumptuous owing to options like Nappa leather upholstery and heated front seats. A commanding perspective of the road—or trail—allows for simple handling, although the back view is obstructed by substantial roof pillars, roll bars, and multiple grab grips.
Depending on the model, the load capacity of the Wrangler ranges from ordinary to excellent. Four-door Unlimited models can carry more stuff than almost any other small SUV. With the rear seats folded down, this model provides 35.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The two-door Wrangler isn’t as spacious as its bigger brother, but it still boasts 22.4 cubic feet of room behind the back row and 52.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.
Wrangler versions with two doors seat four passengers (two in front and two in back), while vehicles with four doors seat five (two in front and three in back). For 2024, the front seats have been somewhat retooled, with an optional power adjustment. These seats are fairly comfortable and large, with enough headroom and legroom. The back seats in four-door Wranglers are spacious enough for adults, but the rear rows in two-door Wranglers are better suited for children.
Infotainment
Overall, the Wrangler’s infotainment system is great. The big touch screen delivers sharp images and quick answers, and higher trims include useful features like a database of comprehensive trail maps. The UI is simple to use, and there are plenty of physical knobs to help with temperature and audio changes. Its interface, known as Uconnect 5, is simple to use, fast to reply, and can be viewed on a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are both standard features that operate wirelessly. There’s inbuilt navigation with over 2000 mapped trails and an active noise-cancellation technology that helps to quiet the cabin if you need to make a phone call while driving.
Standard infotainment features: a 12.3-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, satellite radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system
Available infotainment features: navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, HD Radio, additional USB ports, and a 12-speaker Alpine audio system
Additional standard features: a 3.5-inch black-and-white driver information display, manual door locks and roll-up windows, ambient LED interior lighting, and push-button start
Other available features: a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, proximity keyless entry, remote start, a universal garage door opener, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 115-volt household-style power outlet
Fuel Economy
The EPA has not yet tested the 2024 Wrangler for fuel efficiency at the time of publication. The comparable 2023 Wrangler, on the other hand, gets low gas mileage for the small SUV class. The manual gearbox Wrangler gets 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the standard V6, while the automatic gets 20/24 mpg city/highway. Automatic models with the turbo-four achieve 22/24 mpg city/highway. The Rubicon 392 with its V8 is rated at only 13/17 mpg.
The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid gets 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving on gas and 49 mpg in hybrid mode, according to the EPA. The battery pack is said to charge in 2.5 hours using a Level 2 public charging station or 240-volt household-style power outlet. A 120-volt home outlet will charge the battery completely in around 12 hours.
Safety
Jeep provides only a few optional driver-assistance technologies and none of the high-tech technology that we expect to see on vehicles priced in the $40,000 to $80,000 range. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) websites for further information on the Wrangler’s crash test results. The following are important safety features:
- Blind-spot monitoring is available.
- A rear cross-traffic warning is an option.
- Rear parking sensors are available.
Warranty
In terms of warranty, Jeep doesn’t give Wrangler purchasers anything to get excited about, with a baseline package that includes a limited warranty and powertrain policies that are on par with its competitors. All models, however, get three years of free maintenance.
- The limited warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles.
- The powertrain warranty is valid for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
- Three years of free scheduled maintenance are provided.
Competitive Cars
Jeep Wrangler vs. Jeep Cherokee
If you’re searching for an off-roader that can also serve as a daily family transporter, the Jeep Cherokee is a good alternative. Although it is not as capable on trails as the Wrangler, it has superior on-road handling and many more basic driver-assistance technologies. The Cherokee’s standard engine is less powerful than the Wrangler’s, and it has a smaller luggage room and a slow gearbox. Still, if you want Jeep-style toughness in a more comfortable vehicle, it’s worth considering.
Jeep Wrangler vs. Ford Bronco
When it comes to off-road capabilities, the Ford Bronco may be the Wrangler’s closest competitor, while the Ford outperforms the Jeep in other areas. The Bronco provides plenty of passenger and luggage space, a slew of standard equipment, balanced on-road handling, and a selection of powerful engines. It, like the Jeep Wrangler, has low fuel efficiency for the class, and the interior is susceptible to extreme wind and road noise. Still, if you want a good off-roader with decent on-road performance, the Bronco is a clear cross-comparison.
