2024 Jeep Wrangler to drop V6 for turbo power in Australia, due next year

The facelifted 2024 Jeep Wrangler four-wheel-drive will axe the V6 – and introduce a new turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine – when it arrives in showrooms in April next year.

The updated Wrangler brings a revised look, new technology and upgraded safety features – including side curtain airbags – to the Jeep 4WD which has been in overseas showrooms in its current form since 2018.

Prices are yet to be revealed by Jeep Australia, but they are expected to rise beyond the $81,450 to $90,450 plus on-road costs of the current model.

These prices are already significantly higher than they were at the current Wrangler's launch four years ago – when a top-of-the-range, four-door Rubicon petrol V6 could be purchased for less than $65,000 plus on-road costs.

All models will now be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 200kW and 400Nm – 9kW less, but 53Nm more than the previous 3.6-litre petrol V6.

Jeep promises improved fuel efficiency, though it does not provide any numbers. The towing capacity remains unchanged at 2495kg.

The Sport S four-door model returns as the entry-level variant in the range – replacing the Night Eagle four-door – under the Overland four-door, and Rubicon two-door and four-door.

New on the outside is a revised grille with slimmer slots, an antenna integrated into the 'Gorilla Glass' windscreen (replacing the old-fashioned wire aerial), and new 17-inch and 18-inch wheels designs.

There is a choice of Bright White, Black, Firecracker Red, Sarge (army green), Hydro Blue, High Velocity (yellow), Silver Zynith, Earl (light blue), Granite Crystal (grey), and Anvil (blue-grey) paint colours at launch, with Tuscadero pink to be added from March 2024 production.

Inside, there is a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 8.4 inches) running the latest Uconnect 5 software, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a customisable home screen.

Side curtain airbags are now available on all models, in addition to the existing dual frontal and front-side airbags.

The entry-level Sport S receives cloth seats and a fabric dashboard panel, while the Overland and Rubicon add a synthetic leather-look dashboard covering, with 'McKinley' seat trim in the former, and new nappa leather upholstery in the latter.

All models receive extra soft-touch interior materials, an updated voice control system, tweaked instrument cluster, and an accessory rail on top of the dashboard.

Now standard on the Sport S is a heated steering wheel, heated front seats and ambient interior lighting, while the Overland and Rubicon gain 12-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar (bar the two-door Rubicon, which deletes the power passenger seat).

Under the skin, Rubicon models gain a HD Dana 44 'full-float' rear axle which "separates the wheel hub assembly from the axle shaft, enhancing weight distribution to the axle tube ... [and allowing] for improved lateral force camber compliance and facilitates easier customisation for tyre upsizing," according to Jeep Australia.

The Rubicon also gains a forward-facing camera for low-speed off-road trails.

Sport S and Overland models use a Selec-Trac four-wheel-drive system with full-time capabilities – as well as "normal duty" suspension – while the Rubicon adds "performance" suspension and Rock-Trac four-wheel drive with a 4:1 low-gear ratio, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and an electronic front sway bar disconnect.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler is due in Australian showrooms in April next year, with prices to be announced closer to launch.

New features in bold are specific to that variant, or two of the three variants.