If you’re in the market for an off-road-ready SUV, the biggest challenge might be narrowing down the list. Automakers have been rolling out new SUVs at a record pace, but there can also be a real disparity when it comes to their relative ruggedness and off-road potential. Crossover SUVs might be a great choice for those looking to upgrade their family vehicle or daily driver, but if you want a true off-road companion, it’s time to seek out a Jeep Wrangler for sale. Built with a traditional body-on-frame design, solid axles, and a host of heavy-duty equipment, the Wrangler enables a new level of off-road fun that its crossover competitors just can’t match.
Jeep has treated the Wrangler to a long-awaited mid-cycle refresh for 2024, modernizing the classic SUV and integrating some important improvements that allow it to stay well ahead of the pack. These upgrades can be found in every corner of the award-winning SUV and range from robust new off-road components to vital tech upgrades and eye-catching styling tweaks. It’s another strong showing for the Wrangler, which has won countless awards over its four decades on the market. So, what makes the Wrangler such a compelling SUV in an increasingly crowded segment, and how is the 2024 model carrying on Jeep’s longtime tradition of off-road excellence? Read on as we answer all that and more.
Off-Road Upgrades
The most noticeable change might be the restyled grille. Jeep has shortened the iconic seven-slot design but compensated for the corresponding reduction in airflow by nixing the grille’s painted ridges. The seven-slot grille is the Jeep trademark, but the automaker has a very practical––and exciting––reason for messing with the established formula. For the first time ever, the Wrangler Rubicon now comes with a factory-installed winch, and not just any winch at that. Jeep has teamed up with Warn to give the Wrangler one of the best winches on the market, allowing drivers to add an 8,000 lb winch to any Rubicon model. It’s an important upgrade to ensure off-road success, allowing drivers to recover their vehicles––or those of their riding buddies––when the trail gets a little too rough.
The new bumper and available winch aren’t the only off-road-related upgrade for 2024. Jeep has also replaced the semi-floating rear axle with a new full-floating design that offers some real benefits when it comes to durability, traction, and stability. The full-floating rear axle should also be a little easier to repair mid-ride should something go wrong and has the added benefit of increasing the Wrangler’s overall towing capacity.
Like previous Wrangler models, the 2024 version is also available with three distinct 4×4 systems to choose from: Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and Rock-Trac. Command-Trac is a well-rounded system perfect for both on and off-road use, while Selec-Trac takes it to another level with automatic engagement. Those seeking Jeep’s hardiest 4×4 system should take a closer look at Rock-Trac, which features an impressive 4:1 low-range gear ratio and heavy-duty front and rear axles complete with electronic locking differentials.
Tech-Centric Cabin
The Wrangler has long been able to trade on its off-road resume, but Jeep is well aware that tech features have become an increasingly important part of the SUV equation. Take touchscreen infotainment displays, for example. While these were once something of a luxury, they’ve become the norm in today’s vehicles. Until this year, the Wrangler lagged a bit behind the pack with seven-inch and 8.4-inch displays to choose from, but that all changed for 2024 as Jeep rolled out a standard 12.3-inch screen across every trim. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system comes with all the expected connectivity goodies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it’s the SUV’s trail-specific offerings that really caught our attention.
Jeep has teamed up with the online trail guide gurus at Trails Offroad to pack the Uconnect infotainment system with a database of more than 3,000 off-road trails. These guides provide waypoints, difficulty ratings, route descriptions, and relevant points of interest, ensuring drivers will enjoy a successful off-road excursion without missing any of the sights. The system includes all of the Jeep Badge of Honor trails, which, upon being completed, earn drivers real-life badges that can be affixed to their Wranglers.
Handy finger holds will make navigating the display a breeze in even the bumpiest conditions, while a cached data feature means the trail maps will provide accurate information even when cell coverage is spotty. While past Jeep infotainment displays might have struggled to contend with the bright, airy nature of the Wrangler cabin––especially when the roof is removed––Jeep has engineered around this problem by ramping up the brightness of the backlit display.
Display visibility isn’t the only tech-related issue Jeep engineers had to solve in refreshing the 2024 Wrangler. While everyone enjoys the wind-in-your-hair feeling that comes with removing the Jeep’s windows and doors, it can present some problems when it comes to holding a phone conversation. Jeep has addressed this by gracing the Wrangler with a seven-microphone system with active noise cancellation that should go a long way toward improving audio fidelity when on a hands-free call. The automaker also gave the Wrangler waterproof 12-way power-adjustable seats, allowing drivers to ford up to 34 inches of water without frying the electronics.
Engine Options Galore
Customization has long been the name of the game when it comes to Jeep’s flagship model, and 2024 is no different. Jeep is offering no fewer than nine distinct trim options going into the new year, ranging from the entry-level Wrangler Sport all the way up to the ultra-luxe Rubicon 392. This towering trim ladder allows drivers to find a Wrangler that matches both their budget and their driving goals, but that’s just a small taste of the SUV’s customization potential. The 2024 Wrangler is also available in two-door and four-door models, with several powertrains that really set it apart from the crowd.
The engine lineup starts with the Wrangler’s 3.6-liter V6, which can be mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Producing 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the V6 might not turn the Wrangler into a speed demon, but it does allow the SUV to shoot from zero to 60 mph in just over six seconds.
If efficiency is a priority, it might be time to test drive a Wrangler with Jeep’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. This option takes advantage of the low-end power potential provided by forced induction, allowing the Wrangler to achieve 295 lb-ft of torque. While the engine can only be paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission, it provides a well-rounded option for drivers who prioritize efficiency along with off-road performance, getting an EPA-estimated 21 MPG combined.
Finally, there’s the HEMI V8. The HEMI name is synonymous with power, so it’s little surprise to discover that the Wrangler’s 6.4-liter V8 is capable of a nice, even 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque and can achieve a zero-to-60 mph time of just four seconds. The engine might not be as efficient as those found in the other models, but when you’re seeking the ultimate in power, nothing else will do.
The First Name in Off-Road Performance
Jeep might call it a refresh, but the 2024 Wrangler really marks a significant overhaul when compared to the outgoing model. Appearance, tech, and off-road-related upgrades bring the Wrangler firmly into the modern era without sacrificing those classic Jeep qualities that have made the SUV such a popular choice for almost 40 years. From the new, first-of-its-kind factory-installed Warn winch to the full-floating rear axle and detailed information on over 3,000 off-road trails thanks to the partnership with Trails Offroad, the Wrangler is tough to beat if you’re looking for a fully-equipped off-road rig. With many trims to choose from, ranging from the budget-friendly Sport to the HEMI-powered off-road juggernaut that is the Rubicon 392, there’s a 2024 Wrangler out there to suit every driver. There’s a reason that Jeep has become the first name in off-road performance, and that reason will become pretty obvious as soon as you engage the Wrangler’s 4×4 system and hit your local trails.
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