The Jeep Wrangler is a timeless design, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. It has been six years since the JL generation debuted for the 2018 model year, and Jeep knew it was time for an update. While the basic underpinnings have remained unchanged, the refreshed 2024 Wrangler delivers an exciting new take on this legendary vehicle.
While this model stands out for its fresh take on Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, it is so much more than just a minor aesthetic tweak to the Wrangler. Instead, the 2024 model is filled with cool new features designed to improve performance on the trail while keeping you safer and more comfortable throughout all of your adventures. Here are eight of the top features that will have you running to your nearest Jeep dealer to test drive the new Wrangler and see what it can do for you.
#1 – Full-Float Solid Rear Axle
The biggest mechanical upgrade to the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is the addition of a Dana 44 full-float solid rear axle on the Wrangler Rubicon. Unlike a normal solid rear axle, a full-float axle does not directly support the vehicle’s weight, allowing the suspension to safely accommodate greater loads. We can see the effect of this redesign in the much higher tow ratings of the 2024 Wrangler models equipped with the new axle. While the Wrangler has previously topped out at a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, the upgraded versions can now haul up to 5,000 lbs. Just as significantly, the new axle design makes it easier to outfit the 2024 Wrangler with larger tires––although it already offers 35-inch tires straight from the factory.
#2 – Side Curtain Airbags
One of the least visible and most important additions to the 2024 Wrangler is the new standard side-curtain airbags. While the Wrangler is certainly an adventurous model, it has never been the safest vehicle on the road. However, many people now use the Wrangler for far more than exploring the wilds, so Jeep knew it was time to put more thought into the safety aspects.
The addition of side-curtain airbags protects passengers in side-impact and roll-over collisions––two places where the Wrangler has struggled regarding safety. This addition should help improve the vehicle’s current crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and make it an even more attractive option for open-air fun on the road.
#3 – Factory Warn Winch
Serious off-roaders know the value of a winch, and adding one is among the first modifications for many Wrangler owners. This crucial piece of gear can make all the difference when exploring rough terrain. Now, you can have a built-in winch on your Jeep straight from the factory. The 2024 Wrangler Rubicon is available with an 8,000 lb Warn winch, which is more than enough to pull the 5,900 lb gross weight of a four-door Rubicon Unlimited.
This winch is firmly mounted behind a steel bumper with removable end caps, making it easy to use and protecting it from damage on the trail. The Steel Bumper and Winch Group also includes a matching steel rear bumper, which makes its roughly $3,500 price tag quite competitive with aftermarket options, especially since you don’t have to install everything yourself.
#4 – A Standard 12.3-Inch Touchscreen
The Wrangler has been steadily getting more advanced technology as the years have gone by, but Jeep really pulled out all the stops for the 2024 model year and decided to include a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system on every trim. The Wrangler already lost its base five-inch touchscreen after the 2021 model year, but it was still only available with either a 7-inch or 8.4-inch display last year.
To jump straight to a standard 12.3-inch screen is a massive upgrade and even overshadows the Ford Bronco, which is only available with a 12-inch display on higher trims. Even better, the 2024 Wrangler infotainment setup also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you don’t need to worry about keeping track of cords when out on the trail.
#5 – Rubicon X Trim
The latest addition to the Wrangler’s extensive lineup of trims and special editions is the new Rubicon X. This attractive option boasts all the performance features we know and love from the Rubicon, including the 4:1 Rock-Trac 4×4 system, locking front and rear differentials, and front sway bar disconnect. However, it goes even further, making features like steel bumpers and an integrated off-road camera standard and adding options like full-time 4×4 and 35-inch tires. Finally, the Rubicon X completes the package by adding numerous luxury features, including built-in navigation, plush Nappa leather seats, and an Alpine premium sound system. If you want the very best the 2024 Wrangler has to offer, it’s difficult to beat the new Rubicon X.
#6 – Power Front Seats
While many drivers enjoy the bare-bones nature of a base model Wrangler, it is no secret that more and more Jeep owners are gravitating towards high-end trims like the Sahara and High Altitude. However, while the Wrangler has become more luxurious over the years, it has always lacked one key feature––power-adjustable seats. That’s right; the outgoing model comes with manual seats on even its top trims.
The 2024 Wrangler solves this oversight by making 12-way power-adjustable front seats a standard feature on the High Altitude, Rubicon X, and Rubicon 392 trims. You might be worried that these new seats aren’t up to the rigors of the trail, but Jeep assures us that they are even designed to ford water up to 34 inches deep.
#7 – Trails Offroad Maps
Trails Offroad is one of the most popular sources for detailed information on Jeep trails, overlanding routes, and other off-road adventure locations. It supplies trail maps, community reviews, helpful information like directions and nearby campsites, and even video trail guides. Jeep recognized how popular this resource is in the off-road community and fully integrated it with the infotainment system in the 2024 Jeep Wrangler.
Every Wrangler now comes standard with built-in guides to all 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails and a Trails Offroad membership unlocks the other 3,000 trails in the database. Not only is this more convenient than downloading trail guides to your smartphone, but the new 12.3-inch standard touchscreen is larger than many tablets and laptops, letting you zoom in and see the information you need in full detail.
#8 – Jeep Power Box
As hybrid and electric models become more popular, manufacturers are realizing that they can take advantage of the considerable electrical power available in novel ways. For the 2024 Wrangler, Jeep has jumped on this trend by introducing the Jeep 4xe Power Box. This feature is standard on all 2024 Wrangler 4xe models and provides four 120V household power outlets with 30A of total output. This is a big step up from the 120V/20A outlet available in non-hybrid Wranglers, let alone the standard 12V outlets. With the Power Box, you can plug in larger electronics like laptops or just about anything else you need on the road or at your campsite.
