Yorkshire Moors Madness: Off-Road Thrills In The New Jeep Wrangler 2024
New Jeep Wrangler 2024
Last week I headed up to Yorkshire for the launch of the new Jeep Wrangler and Grand Jeep Cherokee, two superb off-roaders that put the fun into off-road adventures, blending rugged capability with exhilarating freedom.
Jeep had us careering up and down impossible slopes covered in razor-sharp boulders the size of truck wheels all over the Yorkshire Moors. I drove the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for this tremendously exciting experience and it was exceptional. It made light work of forging through rivers, across gullies and even foot-deep ruts were glided over with ease.
The scenery in the Yorkshire Moors is magnificent. The highlight of the tour was driving along the peak of a closed-off valley or basin with sheer drops on either side. And then climbing up a sheer slope of spiky boulders that was, to all intents and purposes, impossible to scale. The Rubicon took it in its stride. The trick was to just apply constant pressure on the accelerator when your instincts told you to brake or speed up. In low four-wheel drive (4L), the Rubicon scrambled up a rocky slope most would have had problems climbing on foot.
And it even coped with the toughest obstacles commonly referred to as English road potholes, now that’s true engineering.
Under the hood, a robust 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivers an impressive 272hp and 400Nm of torque, ensuring exhilarating performance both on and off the trail.
Inside, comfort and safety take centre stage with the inclusion of 12-way power front seats, the state-of-the-art 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system, and enhanced protection provided by side curtain airbags in both the first and second rows.
Advanced safety features, including second-row outboard seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, further enhance the Wrangler's reputation for uncompromising performance and protection.
Across all models, an enhanced hands-free voice recognition system is now standard, leveraging microphone array technology for improved functionality. Additionally, both Rubicon and Sahara variants come equipped with a standard premium cabin package. This package includes acoustic front glass, thicker carpeting, and extra sound-deadening foam strategically integrated into the windshield header, front cowl, and B-pillars.
For 2024, the Wrangler line-up boasts more standard equipment across the model line-up, including:
Sahara:
- New 18-inch wheel design
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Body colour hard top
- LED lamps (front, rear, fog)
- Deep tint sunscreen glass
- McKinley leather-trimmed seats
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Power 12-way adjustable front seats
- 9-speaker Alpine Premium Audio
- Keyless Go and Passive Entry
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Gorilla Glass
- Security Alarm
- Black tubular side steps
- Lane departure warning (available from Q1 2024)
- Drowsy Driver Alert (available from Q1 2024)
- Traffic Sign Information (available from Q1 2024)
Rubicon:
- New 17-inch wheel design
- 12.3-inch touchscreen radio
- Black hard top
- LED lamps (front, rear, fog)
- Deep tint sunscreen glass
- Nappa seats with leather inserts
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Power 12-way adjustable front seats
- 9-speaker Alpine Premium Audio
- Keyless Go and Passive Entry
- Offroad camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Gorilla Glass
- Security Alarm
- Black tubular side steps
- Lane departure warning (available from Q1 2024)
- Drowsy Driver Alert (available from Q1 2024)
- Traffic Sign Information (available from Q1 2024)
- Auxiliary switches
- Dana 44 HD full-float rear axle
- Sway bar disconnection
Equipped with two advanced 4x4 systems – the Rock-Trac full-time transfer case and the Selec-Trac full-time transfer case – the Wrangler delivers unmatched versatility in tackling diverse terrain.
With crawl ratios of up to 77:1 and the ability to ford water depths of up to 760mm at a maximum speed of five miles per hour, the Wrangler effortlessly conquers challenging landscapes with confidence.
Its uncompromising approach, departure, and breakover angles, coupled with ground clearance of up to 253mm, ensure that no obstacle is too daunting for the Wrangler. Whether navigating rocky trails or forging through muddy terrain, the Wrangler's Trail Rated badge proudly reflects its unparalleled specification list, including Dana solid front and rear axles, traction control, tow hooks, four-wheel disc brakes, and four skid plates.
Taking capability to new heights, the 2024 Wrangler introduces the all-new next-generation Dana 44 HD full-float rear axle on Rubicon models. This innovative design, typically found on heavy-duty commercial trucks, enhances durability and strength by transferring the weight of the vehicle to the axle tube rather than the axle shaft itself. As a result, the axle shaft is subjected only to torsional loads, making it exceptionally robust and reliable.
The Wrangler Rubicon further distinguishes itself with a comprehensive suite of off-road technology, including the Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with 4:1 4LO ratio, electronic front sway-bar disconnect, Tru-Lok front- and rear-axle lockers, and 17-inch aluminium wheels fitted with BFGoodrich mud-terrain tyres. With these enhancements, the Wrangler Rubicon exemplifies legendary capability and remains unrivalled in its class. Even the road tyres were exemplary on our trip, taking us over hideous boulders and up steep terrain.
We particularly liked the JEEP® app with "Send&Go," allowing users to seamlessly transfer pre-recorded journeys from their smartphone directly to the vehicle's onboard navigation system. You can easily build your own off-road adventures and share them with friends.
Moreover, a Trip Report serves as a valuable tool for monitoring driving behaviour. Users gain access to comprehensive journey data, including insights into driving style, fuel consumption, average speed, and more.
The new Jeep Wrangler is more fun than anything else on or off-road. Summer encapsulated in a 4-wheel drive. Or winter for that matter, this baby would do the North Pole with little fuss, if that’s your bag. No beach or mountain is inaccessible to you and your friends. If life is an adventure, the Jeep Wrangler is your trusty sidekick, ready to tackle every twist and turn with you.
Available in Sahara and Rubicon trims, starting from £61,125 OTR and £63,125 OTR respectively, the 2024 Wrangler exudes rugged sophistication with its updated exterior design, highlighted by a revamped seven-slot grille, new wheel designs, and the introduction of the striking Anvil paint option.
