Some of the changes to the Jeep Wrangler for the 2024 model year are obvious, but there are also changes that aren’t visible that change things about the iconic SUV.
The new model year of the Jeep Wrangler comes with a new grille, an expanded arsenal of safety systems, curtain airbags as standard and a radio with a 12.3-inch display. In terms of engines, the hybrid drivetrain in the Wrangler 4xe will continue to be the most common choice among buyers.
On home soil, the refreshed model year Jeep Wrangler made its debut at the New York Auto Show in April. The changes to the exterior are more than cosmetic. The off-road classic received a new mask, the seven longitudinal openings of which are lower than before. The other change is invisible: The antenna for the radio is built into the windshield. There are also new designs for the wheels, which can be sized up to 20 inches. New in the color palette is “anvil”, a blue-gray combination.
The dashboard is lined with new materials that are soft to the touch. Depending on the variant, it can be canvas or polyurethane, combined with plugs in a contrasting color.
The main novelty in the cockpit is the 12.3-inch central display, through which the Uconnect 5 infotainment system is operated, which is based on the Android operating system and updates the Over-the-Air software.
The new rear axle improves off-road capabilities
For the new Jeep Wrangler to be refreshed in the most important area associated with the cult behind this car, the American brand also worked on improving off-road properties. The Rubicon models for the first time have a “floating” rear axle 44 HD, a product of the specialist Dana – it is a solution that frees the axle itself from the weight of the body and from the loads during driving, thus avoiding the risk of breaking when driving on the most challenging terrain. The axle with this mounting method is exposed only to torsional loads. With this solution, it is also possible to install even larger wheels, which brings an advantage on the field.
Two model versions will be distributed on the European market: Sahara and Rubicon. The first samples are expected to arrive in showrooms in the first half of next year.
A very useful feature is Send&Go, part of the Jeep mobile application, with which pre-recorded rides can be transferred from the phone directly to the vehicle’s navigation.
The Sahara model features enhanced equipment, which includes, among other things, 18-inch wheels with a new design, LED lights, leather seats with electric adjustment, heated seats and steering wheel, Alpine audio system, keyless entry and start, rear camera and sensors. front and rear, tubular side steps, lane keeping system, fatigue warning and sign camera.
The Rubicon is basically the same equipment level, with the difference that more emphasis is placed on off-road penetration, with a standard Dana 44 HD axle and front stabilizer release.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe with plug-in hybrid powertrain has proven to be a powertrain that has been embraced by the marque’s community. After 2030, Americans will sell only fully electric vehicles. The Wrangler 4xe’s powertrain consists of a turbocharged two-liter, eight-speed automatic transmission and two electric motors, combined with a 400-volt 17 kWh battery. The system power is 380 hp, the torque reaches 637 Nm. The battery can cover up to 5 km in electric mode.
In the new model year, the Wrangler 4xe features a box with four 220-volt outlets, allowing external devices to be powered from the vehicle’s battery.
In Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain, a classic version will be available with a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine, with 272 hp and 400 Nm, in combination with an 8-speed automatic.