Jeep has just updated the Jeep Wrangler for the 2024 model year, and though there have been some significant improvements over the 2018-2023 models, there’s one change that I don’t love: That face. Let’s look at it, as well as the new infotainment screen and a bunch of other little updates that Jeep hopes will help its off-road brute stand out among Broncos and 4Runners.
That Face
Let’s all just be real: The outgoing Jeep Wrangler JL’s grille is about as perfect a grille as anyone could have asked for. It was a follow-up to the Jeep Wrangler JK’s rather squared-off design that really lacked the tapered, bread-slice look that has defined Jeep grilles since 1941. Here’s that hideous face:
And here’s the JL’s face that debuted for the 2018 model year. Notice how beautifully tapered those sides are, and how those headlights jut into those outer grille slots just so. It is perfection:
Now the new Wrangler has been out for six model years, and Jeep wants to keep things fresh in light of increasing competition and a more challenging marketplace than in the last couple of years. As such, the talented design team at Stellantis tweaked the grille, though I don’t think it’s an improvement. In part, because you can’t improve perfection.
In fact, I think the blacked-out grille slats actually act to hide the key elements that define the Jeep brand stylistically — those seven slots. Here’s a look:
There are a few quite interesting elements about this grille — which is the same one found on the 20th Anniversary Rubicon, as well as Jeep’s EJS concepts from this year — that may not be obvious at first glance. For one, it’s actually shorter than before, giving off a “widened” vibe. Jeep did this by pulling up the bottom of the body-colored grille, and then inserting a black piece between it and the front bumper. Notice how on the red 2018-2023 grille above, that grille comes all the way down to the bumper. The new Jeep looks like it’s had its chin tucked up.
Also not particularly obvious is the fact that the grille slats (the vertical bars between the slots) allow for additional airflow to the radiator:
While I don’t like the fact that this precludes the slats from being body-color, and thus hides them in this huge black mass in the middle of the Jeep’s face, I will admit that ventilating the slats is actually quite clever. I doubt the main reason for this design is to increase airflow on the Wrangler, since the outgoing model has plenty, but maybe this was needed in order to shorten the slots (Update: Oh, I see the tow rating is up to 5,000. Okay, then yes, I bet there’s an uptick in cubic feet per minute). It’s also possible that the JT Gladiator will see some kind of benefit when it adopts a version of this new face (assuming it does). Here’s what Jeep has to say:
Slimmer both visually and literally, the new grille’s black textured vertical slots improve cooling while also allowing for fitment of the new factory-installed Warn winch, which is available on Rubicon models.
Another thing that may not be obvious about the grille is the fact that the black area between the bottom of each headlight and the outboard grille slot on each side is just a big plastic trim piece:
I’m not a huge fan of this, if I’m honest.
But fear not, Jeep diehards, for not all hope is lost. It could be argued that the best value in the Jeep Wrangler lineup has been — at least for the past decade or so — the Willys trim. Here’s my brother’s 2023 model:
The Willys trim has always come with a black grille, black wheels, big tires, and rock rails. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler also gets similar treatment; here’s a look:
I’ll admit that I have always preferred a body-color grille, but I don’t mind the Willys’ black one, and the new Willys model (which now comes with a rear locking differential) doesn’t look that much different than the outgoing one. In fact, I think the fully black-grilled 2024 JL looks better than those of non-Willys trims (see yellow and silver ones shown above my brother’s Jeep), which have a body-color grille with black grille slats in the middle, that obvious black trim piece between the lights and outer slots, and the black piece between the grille and bumper.
Other changes to the JL’s exterior styling include new wheels and the deletion of the fender-mounted antenna; it’s not built into the windshield, which sounds great until you realize how often people crack these.
The New Infotainment Screen
The other big news for 2024 is the new, standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which I think Jeep has integrated rather nicely into the JL’s dash. It’s surprising how much more modern this screen looks than last year’s Wrangler’s. Here’s the new infotainment screen:
And here’s the old one:
The skinnier, less square interface is a massive improvement stylistically, though I do worry about the deletion of those round air vents, which are beloved among Jeep fans, as they’re not only highly adjustable, but just fun to play with. You can see that Jeep has replaced them with narrow vent-slots under the new screen.
You’ll also notice that the gauge cluster looks similar in function, but its bezel shape has been redesigned. Have a look (this image also shows the change of the right circular air vent to a narrower HVAC vent):
While the exterior seems like a tiny step backwards, the interior seems like a significant improvement to me. Especially now that you can get power seats for the first time; more on that in a followup article.
Also worth noting: Finally the JL gets standard side curtain airbags for both rows, and for Sport S trims and up, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a gorilla glass windshield are standard.
More Off-Road Hardware, More Towing
Mentioned before, Jeep now offers a factory Warn winch, which is quite nicely integrated. There it is in the 392 model above.
Bigger news, though, is the addition of a full-float rear axle. If you don’t know what that is, congratulations, you’re a normal human being. Weird Jeep folks, though, know it to be an axle design that puts the weight of the vehicle onto the axle tube, not the axle shaft.
Basically, the rear axle on the Wrangler looks like a giant tube, but that tube isn’t what’s spinning — an axle shaft inside is. That axle shaft is more likely to fail if it has to deal with the bending/shear loads associated with the vehicle’s weight in addition to the torsional loads associated with driving the wheels (and stopping). This is called compound loading, and it’s not great.
A full-float axle puts the loads associated with the vehicle’s weight onto the actual axle housing/tube, so that the axle shafts can deal only with the torsional stresses associated with propelling and stopping the vehicle. This improves durability (which is why it’s so popular in the world of aftermarket heavy-duty off-road axles), and contributed to an increase in the JL Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon’s tow rating from 3,500 pounds to 5,000.
Jeep has made changes to options and trims, adding the Sport S 4xe to bring down the plug-in hybrid base-price as well as a Rubicon X, which gets standard 35-inch tires. But the big news is that face, that screen, that tow rating, adaptive cruise control, and reshuffled standard content. And also those seats; again, expect a followup article soon.
All Images: Jeep
The biggest thing in this article is the 5000lb tow rating and the float axle. There’s no way that you can understate this. One of the main issues with the Wrangler unlimited was the anemic tow ratings- hell, Wranglers have never been able to tow anything.
I have so many questions- is there going to be a Max tow? is the 5k only on the floating axle or are we looking at other sub-models? are they incorporating the JT’s brake controller system? How are they handling the rear suspension- what is different?
I own a JT right now, I miss my JKU. I would seriously consider going back to an unlimited if I could tow a decent sized trailer with my SXS and my 2 horse trailer. (for all you Jalops- a Porsche or a Miata on a car carrier…)
Oh and AC seats- I really need my ventilated seats……god please fix the seats (from 6’5 290 guy)…
Don’t worry, the grille will be replaced with Angry Eyes on 80% of these
EDIT – boy am I late to the party on this
Could probably get over the grill, with the right color and lighting it isnt bad. Interior is HUGE improvement. Wonder if ride comfort will improve a bit to compete with Fords non-stop off road barrage lately.
I think it looks great except for the black censor slab right across the grille. Can’t really understand why anyone would think that looks good.
David, Thank you so much for this post. I’m no longer looking at a 2023 4xe after learning about the new axle.
Totally agree with you about the grill. I half expect Mahindra or Suzuki to sue Jeep for design infringement, which would be peak irony.
Absolutely love the larger infotainment screen. The old one just looked a decade too small.
What, no driveline updates or did I just breeze right through it?
I only bring it up because, uh, yeah, people were saying Stellantis was completely dropping Hemi’s after the 2023 model year and well, they can get the Rubi 392 with that new rear axle now!
Anyways, I actually quite like the grille. On the Willy’s, it actually looks better to me now than it did before.
I read on another site that they will now offer the 6-speed manual with the 4-cylinder engine.
That was a Jeep screw up. In the press release, it says that once. Apparently, they speak of powertrains multiple times, and every single time they are brought up after that, it doesn’t mention it again.
One website, shall I call it Voldemort, was actually approached by Jeep to clary that turbo 4/6 speed wasn’t an actual option.
Anxiously awaiting the day when they come from the factory with one of those angry eyes grills
5000lb towing? That’s HUGE – I wonder how it will break down trim by trim and if the payload ratings will also increase. I sold my JK for a truck to be able to tow a travel trailer, but if I had a 5k limit I might have been able to keep it.
Late to the party- the direct front shot makes me think early FJ40. Am I alone here?
It would look okay with bright chrome or body color trim around the slats. As is, it just looks like a big black hole.
I’m sort of excited about the seats, but not enough to consider trading. Aesthetically, the grille update is awful, but I do appreciate the need for improved airflow. Glad they didn’t try to emulate the look of those godawful aftermarket ‘agro’ grilles though. Not too thrilled to see the Wrangler ending up with a tablet-sized entertainment center either; the size of the original JL’s screen fit nicely with the vehicle.
Most of them drive kids to school so they threw that screen in there.
Yeah, I guess that was inevitable.
I see the JK grille as a deliberate throwback to the CJ and YJ designs, but I do agree with your criticisms, David. They should have moved the turn signal lights inboard at the least, even if they couldn’t have pinched a taper into the bottom of the grille itself. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any particular reason why they didn’t do the former, unless it was just to save a few cents on a shorter wiring harness.
The older grilles were trapezoidal, not rectangular, something Mark Allen called out when revealing the JL.
Right. There’s definitely a variation to the shape itself, but the location of the turn signals are the same. It’s funny, because the JK is so wide with stock fenders, even this grille as it’s shaped still makes it looks a little too narrow.
The new grille isn’t bad, but it does remind me a bit of the new Jimny with the darkened center and bars and body-colored strip above the bumper.
I’m not a fan of the upgraded grille, especially the inserts under the headlights. Keeping the eyes separate might’ve worked. The new infotainment screen does update the interior, but I like the rugged, utilitarian look of the older screen. And power seats? I’d prefer less things to go wrong and save the glam for the Wagoneer. Enthusiasts are going to be challenged with buying Rubicons and swapping out a bunch of stuff, but I guess they do that anyway.
I have long believed that the “bland to the point of ugliness” JK front-end is to blame for the popularity of angry grilles. Thanks, Chrysler.
The (previous) JL grille is indeed perfect. I’m so disappointed with the new scrunchy face, and glad I bought one before this change.
Sorry those links exploded like that 🙂
Bet that the aftermarket is already tooling up for these color-matched snap-on covers.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8CjwUrx0WbC2-I4NRuqEyjZmQugJGxeRDFUc1nw3P8Mv2yChFKbeHLi3nvZ7RkE5BxaqZVJ5y3khAPh-_vGv2t5-wrJzU0TWFih6agM_iBlX-Q2CKXRNbZ4ieHMa1WcfRmJO2yuLqT4l8aZJactvsT53NF0jQsJig6vCM3j2ynPnjZGG8GRES-1m-YauKKg36XO9CAo1HTRj84pztKIcgtKDbO-OWMgPBUomiUFN7z9ZemzsHMQrj8INvdFZ40YEYrV-THIKZer1WUJCCqWpWJ5asahFy4Ac7-l7Hl4CN0km0io_d5vpmJc69SD7nMLkD1JTwzU4i4LcG3Kys435v1mX9Sv2vDAFtjKfAMAztC1ieaDsvaU1oo4rrD8BsIasNhabF9DuQeUy9e_I-9bUfjfEks0tkOxmlXdNKOhj6Eo-N4Q5MU1SqSpNF3k4TC_WlsKuQpKi8nSRPWbjobuPvULQnJ-JvOHANokcCUf89Q9CE4Il6MUBBtaYG_i9g5fkqGavmX_1xVy9Lq0bKifVhMjEj3gaUPP3CY8GXz3DLDtlUt_YzdUBba5TBksXNI-e1Ln7Hg2jD8JaoN59CQbLhEo-KYbaVuHDcYKy8jJD3BEvKRqMBeGJ-pCJeGpumHU0nsSF7ju_77TQ_RnJIBwKx6pbYE4CzLGt4F7FexfDB_v5_MyI6xQopvauXz4HzrMZLimGHzWB5Cez972bmNfYPelosgkTxyj0YgUc-fVbQUcsTeiykWodod5ZU8sEEBpeZ0x-BGhwRdWTouioAukvyHVA-PnRvXBJe2wf_Nv9Sa9b2Fu-Wc1Pc7N1KvL7jPC8SVhxfRy3Goe7BI6ojRsUfFuoV8eWb17jUOjf9IazDdx9lDgIY-GvMwB_KqaWeFXw4EQzaad0fVro6Lv00n-LvZtsh9ahMLTXOoOtE3jN7CSQUd_noXy5U2cSazhIWoWvO-zBGbsdNvxkc7Nw8MQ0AnVepwChY8iqdcwOsRBex7TpX5sNMQbAT14NGc_kkxXGYE=w1559-h1032-s-no?authuser=1
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http://www.tinyurl.com
Pretty sure the aftermarket is already on this to solve the issue. Along with angry eyes, which are an abomination.
Seriously those might as well be factory at this point
When the Gladiator debuted, I read something back then about how additional engine cooling was the biggest challenge towards attaining the tow rating that they wanted. I have to wonder if the new grill design here is also a major contributor to the rating increase?
You most likely read that from our author David here, who worked on that specific part of the vehicle in his time at Chrysler. I think he probably considered that 🙂
Yup. That’s the guy. Seems like a cool dude. Maybe he forgot about it. I know I’ve forgotten a lot of stuff I’ve worked on…
https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453
Wait, does the new full-floater and 5k tow capacity apply to all Unlimiteds? Or just the Rubicon Model?
I love my base JL Sport, but I wouldn’t mind upgrading the stock Dana 35!
Looks like a crab.
Crab Jeeple
crab jeeple.
Tastes like crab
talks like jeeple.
Wait full floater rear in all jeep wranglers? the junkyard is getting some new gold
I didn’t like the grill until I saw that 392 in what I’m assuming is either Earl Grey or a new color. It looks sharp in that combo.
I’m shocked (but glad) they didn’t just go full on Angry Eye grille, which has become the de facto Jeep Bro look anymore.
You beat me to it. I’m surprised that they didn’t just make the angry eyes stock at this point. Seems like every single Jeep in my area has them the moment they leave the lot…as well as a winch, some sort of shovel attached to the body, some combination of Punisher/blue lives matter stickers, a lift kit, and ridiculous off-road wheels and tires that will spend their entire lives on asphalt.
You forgot the row of ducks on the dashboard, and rainbow LEDs in the spare tire too
And the bumper jack
I like jeeps with 22s. Makes the ride a lot worse and comes with the bonus of not being able to air down enough to do any good.
But damn does it look cool when you show all your bros!
My first thought when I saw the new face. It’s like they designed it with those “round headlights give you estrogen” chuckleheads in mind.
I hate to be a grammar Nazi but you said the antenna is not built into the windshield. It really did take me a while to figure out that it’s NOW built into the windshield.
Small typo but relevant
Yeah I didn’t want to be the one to say it either, but I’ve been noticing a decent amount of spelling and grammar errors on posts lately. I know editing someone’s article is a boring job, but you really got to pay attention. An article yesterday had a typo in the very first word lol
Who edits the editor?
Who edits the editor who is part owner? No one
The Neighborhood Editor Editing Organization
and they in turn report to the Department of Redundancy Department
All the articles have issues like that. I’d edit for free!