Family Car Review: 2024 Jeep Wrangler

How much does the 2024 Jeep Wrangler cost and what are the options?

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler pricing starts at $75,950 (excluding rego, stamp duty etc.) for the entry-level Sport S 4 door model and ranges up to $90,450 for the top-spec Rubicon 4 door. The Rubicon is also sold as a little 2 door with hardly any boot space if using the rear seats. Four Jeep Wrangler versions are available in Australia Australian Wranglers, all with a new-for-2024 2.0L turbo petrol engine and an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Jeep has actually increased the spec across the range without increasing prices for the 2024 Wrangler, which is fantastic news for families. The new model features an updated front grille, new wheel designs, and a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen with Jeep's latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, making it more modern and user-friendly.

How big is the boot of the Jeep Wrangler?

The boot of the Jeep Wrangler is surprisingly practical for family use. One of the unique features of the Wrangler is its split tailgate design, with the window opening separately from the door at the bottom. This is pretty cool, although you have to swing open the bottom part first and then the window folds upwards rather than the other way around, which would be easier for quickly loading things in without opening the whole lot. This manual two-stage process can also be tricky if you've got your children and belongings in your hands, especially in a tight street parking space where the swing-out lower section can be hard to open fully.

There's also a handy hidden storage space underneath the boot floor, which is really useful for keeping smaller items secure and out of sight.

When it comes to capacity, the boot of the Jeep Wrangler will hold 13 shopping bags, which is fairly practical for a vehicle of this type nd better than I was expecting. This is the same as the GWM Tank 300 (13 bags), though considerably less than the Jeep Gladiator which is a ute version of the Wrangler that can hold a whopping 27 bags in its tray.

The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…

…will fit in the boot of the Jeep Wrangler with five shopping bags.

The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…

…will fit in the boot with five shopping bags as well.

The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and the bassinet…

…will fit in the boot of the Jeep Wrangler with no shopping bags.

The Thule Urban Glide 3, ultimate All Terrain stroller with the back wheels on…

…fits easily in the boot with five shopping bags.

The Thule Urban Glide 3, double ultimate All Terrain stroller with the back wheels on…

…fits easily in the boot with three shopping bags.

The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…

…fits in the boot of the Jeep Wrangler with five shopping bags.

Alternatively, you can fit two 90-litre Thule Chasm duffel bags in the boot…

…or a medium to large-sized dog.

The boot space and its functionality are really important. I like to have a big boot space and little side wells or areas I can divide things into. So something I don't want to move around while I'm driving such as my daughter's lunch bag or her wet swimming gear can be sectioned off in a little well where it's not going to spill or get squashed by the rest of the things in the boot.

Hooks for securing shopping bags to are also favourites of mine, I like being able to secure the bag containing more fragile things like eggs so they don't move around on the journey.

I measure the boot space in freezer shopping bags, prams and dogs. Not because I think all there is to a mum's life is food shopping, prams and dogs. (Although it can feel like it sometimes!!) But because these are visually measurable items we can all associate with. For me, the car company boot measurement of litres is not an amount I can easily visualise and 400L in one car may differ in usability to that in another due to the configuration or shape of the space.

How good is the storage in the 2024 Jeep Wrangler for families?

Storage in the back of the Jeep Wrangler is quite good for families. There is a fold-down armrest in the central seat back with two cupholders and a phone slot. They will hold a reusable or disposable coffee cup, and kids' drink cups fit in them too. What's really nice is that the cupholders are positioned on the end of a headrest, so you can actually extend it out and back to position it so kids can easily reach their drinks.

There are net map pockets on the back of both front seats that will hold but not conceal an iPad, and these have little hooks that are good for hanging bags.

In the back of the central console box, you'll find USB and USB-C sockets, plus a household plug socket. There's also a little shelf for a mobile phone and a couple of storage pads underneath.

One of the really cool features of the Wrangler is that there's nothing underneath the rear seats, creating a huge cavity that's perfect for storing extra items when you're going camping or on family adventures.

The door bins in the back are quite unique – they're not moulded but are actually nets, which can hold a drink bottle and even an iPad. There are also little storage wells in the door handles.

In the front, storage includes two cup holders in the central console that will hold reusable or disposable coffee cups. A phone can slot in between these as well.

In front of the gear lever, there's another phone shelf with USB, USB-C, and AUX sockets.

The central console box has a little shelf in the top and then a good-sized storage area underneath with another USB socket.

The glove box is quite slim, but I could still fit an iPad and my wallet in there alongside the manual.

The Wrangler has lit vanity mirrors in both front visors.

The front door bins are also nets like the rear ones. They'll hold a refillable water bottle, an iPad, and a wallet. There are also little storage wells in the door handles here too.

How many child seats will fit in the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?

When it comes to installing child seats in the back of the Jeep Wrangler, the rear doors open really wide, which is super helpful. This is because you can even take the doors off completely for wind in your pants as well as your hair! On older Wranglers this used to cause the doors to flap around in the wind and not stay open if parked facing up even a slight hill but the latest model seems to hold its doors open quite well.

There are ISOFIX points in the two outer rear seats. They're not within plastic guides, but they're nice and easy to connect to.

There are top tether anchorages on the back of all three rear seat backs, and they're nice and easy to access through the boot.

Now for the good news! For families that need it, you can fit three child seats across in the back seats, which is fantastic. We found that three forward-facing seats fit really nicely, though they do take up the full width of the rear bench. Any wider seats than standard models might not allow you to get three across.

Legroom is good in the Wrangler too. The footwell isn't completely flat as there's a hump in the middle that the central passenger's feet need to straddle, but we found a 180cm tall driver could sit comfortably in front of a rear-facing child seat.

I could also sit quite comfortably in the back between two child seats, which is great for families with two children where am adult or older sibling needs to sit in the back too.

How comfortable is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler for families?

In terms of comfort, the Jeep Wrangler is pretty good for families. Rear passengers have air vents in the back of the central console box, which is great for keeping everyone at a comfortable temperature.

There are lights in the ceiling which are really useful at night when you're getting kids in and out of the car. There aren't any handles above the rear doors for hanging items for rear-facing passengers, but there is a kind of roll cage structure up there that you could attach something to if needed.

I have found our daughter does not like travelling in the dark in the car so if it gets dark whilst travelling then I reach back and turn the interior light on for her. So it's really important for me that I can reach the rear ceiling light.

Also if I am traveling home and it is getting near to bed time and I DEFINITELY DON'T want her to fall asleep in the car as even a 5-minute nap in the car means bed time is all over!!!! I lean back and pop the light on so it's not dark and try to keep her awake!! Along with screaming/singing at the top of my voice!!!

It is also useful when there are lights situated above the doors where the handles are usually positioned. These are good for when putting baby into their child seats when visibility is poor, so you do not have to reach across them to a light situated in the ceiling centrally etc.

The interior of the Wrangler feels like a fun and exciting place to be. It has a distinctive Jeep feel that kids will love (and so does my inner child) because it's like you're in a kids' Meccano set or an army surplus store. It's definitely an interior that creates a sense of adventure!

The front seats are comfortable…

…and the steering wheel is nice and light to operate, which is good for those times when you're tired after a long day with the kids. I have to say the steering feels better off-road and at lower speeds than on the motorway, where it can “wander” a bit which keeps you on your toes.

For 2024, the Jeep Wrangler got a new 12.3-inch touchscreen and the media system is nice and simple to use. You have quick access to different features from the main home screen, which is really helpful. Also handy is that you can easily navigate to options with icons down the left-hand side, including media, maps and settings for the air conditioning.

There are physical controls on the dash for the climate control, which I really appreciate so you don't have to go through the screen to adjust the temperature.

The system includes built-in sat nav, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, so you can easily access your phone's messaging, navigation, podcast and music apps.

When you put the 2024 Jeep Wrangler into reverse, the camera image only fills part of the screen, but it's lovely and clear (doesn't show well in this picture, unfortunately). You can easily turn the parking sensors on and off using the dashboard controls too.

In terms of noise, the Wrangler is relatively quiet to operate. The boot door opens quietly, which is great if you have sleeping children in the car. The windows and doors open and close with a reasonably subdued sound that shouldn't disturb sleeping kids.

With baby asleep you can get in and out without worrying the doors will be too noisy. The same for the windows their mechanism is not too noisy and I didn't notice them having a loud opening or closing sound.

With baby asleep you want to be able to get in and out without worrying the doors will be too noisy and wake Bub up!

How safe is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler for families?

When it comes to ANCAP safety ratings, the Jeep Wrangler has a three-star crash rating, which isn't ideal for family buyers. It scored 80% for child occupancy, which is good, but only 60% for adult occupancy.

It's important to note that all Jeep Wrangler models manufactured before January 2024 only had four airbags that protected the front passengers. However, from January 2024 onwards, all models now come with six airbags, including side curtain airbags that extend to the second row. This is fantastic news for families and significantly improves the safety of this vehicle for rear passengers.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler comes with an array of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning (FCW) and adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, anti-lock brakes and tyre pressure monitoring.

One thing to note is that the 2024 Wrangler doesn't have lane keep assist or lane departure warning systems, which come as standard in most family cars I've tested. It would really help with that wandering steering at high speeds!

Some of these safety features are also features that drive me crazy as a mum! Like the lane departure and forward collision alert or the parking sensor beeping sound. I want all the safety technology AND to be able to mute the sound when Bub's asleep!

Another thing I have realised is I spend my time in a lot more places where small children roam, parks, beaches, play gyms, swimming lessons, daycare centre etc. I have become more aware that when I'm reversing or manouvering in the car parks I have to triple check for small children running around behind me or being in my blind spot when reversing. For this I LOVE reversing cameras, I just don't like their beeping sounds!!

I have become so much more aware of safety and potential accidents or hazards since having a child and so I love the peace of mind that I get from the cameras and sensors combined with my own vision from windows and mirrors as I don't trust cameras alone.

What is the 2024 Jeep Wrangler like to drive?

The Jeep Wrangler is really good fun to drive. It's not only fun for the driver, but the kids in the back absolutely love it too – they think it's the coolest car ever!

One thing I have noticed since being a mum is I hate it when I reach a destination or get home from being out and Bub has either done really well in the car or she is screaming her head off and I have done really well to keep it together for the entire journey (usually the latter!!) and it takes 10 minutes to park the car! It can be really stressful. Usually, I dread parking in our tight apartment block carpark, but the Jeep Wrangler became easier once I was used to it to reverse park!

The ride is comfortable and the new turbo engine feels powerful on-road or when loaded up for off-road camping trips. See our family adventures in the Jeep Wrangler here.

Compare the 2024 Jeep Wrangler

If you're looking at the 2024 Jeep Wrangler as a family SUV with off-road capability, you may want to consider other options like the GWM Tank 300, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X or Toyota LandCruiser Prado. All but the Tank also have the option of seven seats.

If you're less concerned about off-road capabilities but need a similar-sized family SUV, there's always the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento that both have seven seats or Subaru's five-seat Outback.

BabyDrive Verdict on the 2024 Jeep Wrangler

To sum up, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is surprisingly practical as a BabyDrive. It looks awesome and is a vehicle you'd buy in a head-over-heart situation and want to drive regardless of its practicality, but the good news is it actually works well for families too.

You can fit three child seats across the back seats, which is fantastic news for families that need this capability.

The boot space is pretty practical as well, being able to fit various types of Thule pram along with shopping bags.

The drive is fun, and it has fantastic off-road potential (although I didn't find it too keen on soft sand). It has a good media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2024 updates, including the new 12.3-inch touchscreen and six airbags (including curtain airbags for rear passengers), have made it more appealing to families.

A Jeep Wrangler is definitely a unique choice for a family SUV but I enjoyed its sense of adventure, fun, and better-than-expected practicality. It's not as much of a compromise s I thought it would be (that said, it's important to be aware of the three-star ANCAP safety rating – while the child occupancy score of 80% is good, it's something to consider) and I liked how it provides a combination of different kinds of appeal that not many vehicles can match.

Key Pros:

• Fits three child seats across the rear seat
• Unique design that kids love
• Excellent 12.3-inch touchscreen
• Good boot space for prams and shopping
• Now with six airbags (including curtain airbags)
• Light steering makes parking easy
• Fun driving experience for the whole family
• Good off-road capability for family adventures

Key Cons:

• Three-star ANCAP safety rating
• Limited visibility with child seats installed
• Manual, two-step boot opening can be inconvenient
• Lacks some safety features like lane-keep assist, which would help with its high-speed wandering
• Small interior compared to other SUVs of this size (it's a surprisingly big car)