As overlanding and off-roading continues to have an influence on the modern automotive landscape, there are some makes and models that have always been– and always will be– staples of the culture. The one that comes to mind is probably Jeep, specifically the Wrangler, which has hit the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) with some fresh digs.
Yes, the iconic seven-slot grille is ever present, though it has been slightly tweaked. There’s also a windshield-integrated antenna and 10 all-new wheel designs; but the freshened looks aren’t what make this the “most capable Wrangler yet.”
New for 2024, the Wrangler boasts its first full-float Dana 44 rear axle on Rubicon models, an available 100:1 crawl ratio, and a factory-mounted Warn winch capable of pulling 8,000 lbs. The solid rear axle allows for aftermarket tire upsizing and a tow rating of up to 5,000 lbs. And while off-road abilities are great, we know that Wranglers are also at-home on the road as daily commuters; as such, first- and second-row side-curtain airbags are outfitted as standard, as is a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen.
There are two new models expanding on the Wrangler’s portfolio, the Sport S 4xe and the Rubicon X. The Sport S 4xe offers a lower price point for Jeep’s plug-in powertrain, a 2.0-liter turbo-four with a engine- and transmission-mounted motor generator wired to a 17kWh battery, putting out 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque and offering 21 miles of all-electric range. Standard features include a 12.3-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a Gorilla glass windshield, 20-inch wheels and more.
The Rubicon X, available in both gas and 4xe powertrains, ups the ante with the same 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus 12-way power front seats, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system and Nappa leather upholstery. The body is bolstered by a steel bumper, a body-colored hardtop and fender flares; and a Rock-Trac full-time transfer case is also standard.
The Willys trim is also packing more content this time around, now coming standard with a Tru-Lok rear locker, steel rock rails, a trailer tow and heavy-duty electrical group. There are also larger 33-inch tires and a Selec-Trac full-time transfer case with a 4LO ratio of 2.72:1.
The Wrangler is also slated to be the first vehicle in the Jeep lineup with an available “Trails Offroad” trail guide system, built into the Uconnect 5 system. It offers detailed guides for 62 Jeep Badge of Honors trails, including Hell’s Revenge in Utah, Jericho Mountain in New Hampshire, and, of course, California’s Rubicon Trail. A premium subscription will unlock 3,000-plus more guides, spanning a variety of difficulty levels and terrains.
The 2024 jeep Wrangler will be available in Sport, Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon and Rubicon 392 models. Powertrains remain largely unchanged, from the aforementioned 4xe PHEV, to the non-hybrid 2.0-liter inline-4, the 3.6-liter V6 and the 6.4-liter V8. The 4xe and Rubicon 392 can only be equipped with an 8-speed automatic; but, the 3.6-liter V6 and 2.0-liter I4 can be paired with a 6-speed manual. Orders are open now and set to arrive in dealers later this year.
Keyword: Jeep Introduces 2024 Wrangler at NYIAS