2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Genesis GV80

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler continued to exhibit its signature burly, body-on-frame aesthetic recognizable to any off-road enthusiast. While powertrains and off-road systems varied, the overall rugged look remained consistent across all models. You could spot larger tires on the highly capable trims such as the new Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, but the skeletal design remained largely typical regardless of what powered the vehicle.

A notable change for this model year was the redesigned grille, which initially appeared on the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon. This grille was shorter and wider, allowing more airflow into the engine bay. Another new feature was the integrated antenna within the windshield, solving the previous issue of traditional antennas snagging on tree branches and bushes during off-roading. Buyers also had a choice of 10 new wheel designs.

The Wrangler’s essence of rugged adventure was captured through its variety of roof options. These included a traditional soft-top roof, a full hard top, a hard top with a retractable sunroof over the front seats, and a power-retractable sunroof that illuminated the entire cabin. Adventurers appreciated the foldable windshield and removable doors, which could be substituted with either full doors, half doors, or Mopar tube doors for a different off-road experience.

When it came to the luxurious 2024 Genesis GV80, buyers had the option to choose between two powertrains: the 2.5T (a turbocharged four-cylinder) and the 3.5T (a twin-turbocharged V6), available in trim levels ranging from Standard to the top-tier Prestige Signature. Prices started at $57,700 and could exceed $81,750, with an additional $1,350 destination charge.

Our Prestige Signature trim test vehicle featured a stunning Matterhorn White Matte paint, upping the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) to $84,600. This model’s three exclusive exterior colors—Vik Black, Matterhorn White Matte, and Mauna Red—paired with dark chrome trim and a nearly invisible 22-inch wheel design emphasized its sophisticated style. However, while the Prestige Signature had its allure, we found it no more attractive than the standard Prestige model, especially given the invisible detailing on the wheels.

Inside, the GV80 emanated opulence with an Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior featuring diamond-stitched Nappa premium leather, an artificial leather dashboard wrap, matte-finish wood trim, a suede headliner, and metallic accents. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a large touchscreen display underscored the GV80's position as Genesis's flagship SUV. Ultimately, the GV80 Prestige Signature unequivocally screamed luxury.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains to suit diverse lifestyles and adventures. Its lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, there was a plug-in hybrid variant of this engine producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking traditional power, a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque was available. For peak performance, a 6.4-liter V8 engine pushed an impressive 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Several transfer cases offered differing levels of off-road capability, such as the Command-Trac four-wheel-drive system found in the Sport and Sahara trims, the full-time Selec-Trac system in the speed-crazy Wrangler 392, and the Rock-Trac transfer case featured both in part-time and full-time 4WD on the Rubicon trims.

Most Wrangler models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual remained an option with the 3.6-liter V6 engine. Our test favorite was the 4xe PHEV Wrangler Rubicon, darling in capability and efficiency, offering an all-electric range of 21 miles and superb off-road credentials.

The solid front and rear axles endowed the Wrangler with exceptional articulation, maintaining contact with the ground for enhanced traction in rough terrains. Our tester, fitted with BF Goodrich KO2 tires, proved cooperative and resilient, even against the sharpest rocks. Yet, a trade-off was evident in on-pavement performance—bumpy rides and vague steering persisted despite sound-deadening improvements and quieter cabins in 2024. Durable options came along, like the 8,000-pound WARN winch on the Rubicon models.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two compelling engine options. The GV80 2.5T packed a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the larger V6 engines found in rivals such as the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60.

Our test vehicle, the GV80 3.5T, showcased a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Despite its powerful performance, the 3.5T’s fuel efficiency could be wanting, with an observed fuel economy of 17.2 mpg during our Southern California evaluation loop, compared to its EPA rating of 20 mpg combined.

Both powertrains were matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive. Five available driving modes—Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow—enabled drivers to tailor their driving experience. With a ground clearance of 8.1 inches and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped, the GV80 demonstrated robustness beyond mere city commutes.

On our test drive, the GV80 3.5T proved itself a remarkably athletic SUV, offering quick acceleration and commendable cornering grip, thanks to P265/40R22 all-season tires and an adaptive damping suspension. The larger upgraded front brakes resisted fade effectively during repetitive hard use.

Though the GV80’s steering design evolved with a charming two-spoke steering wheel, future models would adopt a more conventional triple-spoke design, losing some of its retro luxury appeal. Despite some discomfort, the GV80 managed high-speed highway efficiency with its Highway Driving Assist system and demonstrated smoothness in more demanding urban and suburban environments.

Perhaps one of the most exciting upgrades for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler was its enhanced towing capacity. Where previous models maxed out at 3,500 pounds, the latest models with a full-float solid rear axle could now tow up to 5,000 pounds. This improvement applied specifically to four-door Rubicon-trim Wranglers with the gas-powered 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter engine, an automatic transmission, and 33-inch tires. Other models maintained the 3,500-pound limit.

The Wrangler’s interior didn’t disappoint with options like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, despite the absence of ventilated seats. New 12-way power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort and usability, even when submerged underwater. Moreover, the 4xe introduced a 30-amp Power Box from its 17.3-kWh battery, capable of powering various accessories, whether a blender or portable refrigerator.

For 2024, the GV80 3.5T Advanced was the sole model to offer a third-row seat, breaking the previous trend where the Prestige held that distinction. The Prestige Signature limited itself to four seats, featuring power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs divided by a spacious console. Though this setup provided a luxurious feel, it reduced passenger capacity, leading us to opt for a Jeep Gladiator for a family trip.

The GV80’s interior, depending on the trim level, featured materials ranging from artificial leather to premium leather. Standard amenities included heated seats, manual rear door window shades, and a power hands-free liftgate. Our test version shined with a panoramic glass roof, triple-zone climate control, massaging and ventilated front seats, and sophisticated rear captain’s chairs with one-touch Relax Mode.

However, seat comfort proved a challenge. Despite the GV80’s plush features, prolonged drives could be uncomfortable, and front seats required manual massage function reactivation. Rear seats reduced passenger legroom, affecting overall comfort.

Cargo capacity was one area where the GV80 excelled, boasting 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 84 cubic feet with seats folded down. This balance of luxury and utility made it a formidable competitor in its class.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler received a significant tech upgrade with a 12.3-inch center infotainment screen running the Uconnect5 system. The interface was markedly cleaner and more user-friendly compared to previous iterations. While navigation remained optional, standard features included numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The upgraded system showed its strength with faster performance, specifically benefiting the Off-Road Pages feature which now displayed data instantly. Additional helpful features included transmission temperature, battery charge data, and pitch and roll gauges. The new Trails Offroad feature offered guidances on over 200 trails, with a subscription unlocking access to 3,000 trails and intricate details including difficulty ratings and descriptions.

Adding to this trove of modern amenities were a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and user profiles catering to diverse driver preferences.

Staying ahead in technology, the 2024 Genesis GV80 featured analog gauges one last time before transitioning entirely to digital in future models. The Prestige and Prestige Signature trims offered a notable 12.3-inch display with a subtle 3D effect. Every GV80 model came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and while its positioning could make it awkward to reach, the center console control dial facilitated ease of use.

Standard infotainment offerings included a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, and the Prestige Signature trim added this convenience to the second row.

Reliability was also a highlight, as Bluetooth connections for music streaming and voice recognition features performed without glitches. Combined with the HUD warning system and Genesis Connected Services, the GV80 kept itself technologically advanced and driver-friendly.

New for 2024, the Jeep Wrangler integrated first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Forward collision warning was standard on all trims except the base model, while advanced driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist were offered as options, with a few trims including them as standard. However, features like lane-keeping assist or lane-follow were absent.

In terms of safety ratings, the NHTSA had not evaluated the 2024 Wrangler yet. However, for the 2023 models, it gave four-out-of-five stars for frontal crash protection and three-out-of-five stars for rollover protection for both two- and four-door models with the 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter engines. The IIHS rated the four-door Wrangler as "Good" in specific categories such as roof strength and head restraints but marked it “Moderate” in frontal and side impact crashes. These ratings were expected to improve with the addition of side-curtain airbags.

Unsurprisingly, the Genesis GV80 was well-equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and safety features such as a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Our extensive use of Highway Driving Assist highlighted its effectiveness, although it performed best in light or slow-moving traffic conditions.

The Blind-Spot View Monitor proved invaluable, showing real-time video feeds of blind spots during lane changes, complemented by HUD warnings and active blind-spot technology. The Remote Smart Parking Assist system could park the vehicle autonomously even while the driver was outside, enhancing convenience and safety.

In crash safety ratings, the GV80 excelled with the IIHS bestowing a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although frontal-impact tests revealed a four-star rating each for the driver and passenger seating positions.