At least partially due to the new competition from the Bronco, Jeep revamps its core model for 2024. The Ford Bronco, reintroduced for the 2021 model year, is the first direct competition for the Wrangler in decades.

Although the Wrangler still has a sizable sales lead, the Bronco has siphoned off at least 15% of its sales.

Design

A radical design change to the Wrangler’s grille was risky, so Jeep played it cool and kept the basic 7-slot design. The slots are wider, closer, have a bold mesh pattern, and are now surrounded with mesh in-between, which adds airflow and possibly improves the aerodynamics.

Capabilities

One of the Bronco’s initial advantages over the Wrangler was towing. With 4500 pounds of towing capacity (when equipped with a V6 engine), the Bronco had more pull than the 2022 Wrangler, which maxed out at 3500 pounds for 4-door models.

Wrangler 4-door offers up to 5000 pounds of towing, beating the Bronco by 500 pounds. Strangely, the V8 Rubicon 392 still tops out at 3500.

A new, factory-installed Warn winch can pull up to 8000 pounds.

Engines

All of the Wrangler’s engines carry over basically unchanged, except for the diesel. The 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel is a casualty of rising emissions and diesel prices.

Although the horsepower and torque remain unchanged, the 2.0 turbocharged engine and 3.6 V6 automatic are no longer offered as mild hybrids. The fuel mileage is not rated on the V6 yet, but the 2.0-liter engine’s mileage drops quite a bit.

The primary reasons for dropping the hybrid powertrain are probably cost and supply chain issues. The 4Xe plug-in hybrid remains unchanged and is possibly a third reason for the demise of the mild hybrid: Stellantis is concentrating on 4Xe versions in states that require minimum sales of electric vehicles. The 4Xe qualifies.

Safety

Rear outboard seatbelts now have pyrotechnic pre-tensioners to take the slack out in the event of a collision. The front seatbelts have had them since at least 2018.

Curtain airbags are another new first for the Wrangler, and they’re standard for both seating rows. The airbags will help protect passengers during side impacts and roll-over events.

Equipment

Air-conditioning is now standard.

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