The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport Is an Off-Roading Marvel
If there was ever a car that embodies the no-sunscreen-wearing-no-good-Oakley-shades-enjoying real outdoorsman lifestyle, it's the Jeep Wrangler Sport. It's been about five years since we've last seen the Wrangler Sport driven in the Philippines (except for maybe aftermarket units still running around).
The return of the venerable off-road classic coincided with the return of Jeep Kamp 2024, as well. For the fortunate few of us who got to drive this baby on endlessly infuriating urban highways and mildly pleasurable underfunded roadways, it certainly didn't disappoint.
Driving from CDJR Greenhills to Cavanti, Laguna, or Kaliraya Surf Kamp, to be more specific, we arrived at the consensus view that the route here offered the kind of unpredictability the Wrangler Sport thrives in. The exterior seems to be a good place to start.
There's a certain road presence that comes with the Jeep Wrangler (Of course, it could benefit from a body kit adjustment if the owner pleases, which is the case with enthusiasts who buy the base model at Jeep's San Juan quarters). With a rugged profile, all the signature Jeep styling cues are there, as expected, only in sleeker form.
The classic Jeep Badge is found on the side, accentuated by the Wrangler decal plus some stealth black door handles and exterior mirrors. On the back end, there's your full-size spare and a set of revamped LED tail lamps, as well. The integrated window antenna and three-piece detachable hard top (made for the real rebel boys out there) just give off that edgy coolness factor that we just assume with these vehicles.
Perhaps its most interesting alternation from the 2019 model is the revamped front fascia (the meaner the mug, the better, we argue). Complementing that are subtle enhancements found in the Molded Black Front Bumper, which is illuminated with LED Daytime Running Lamps, LED Front Fog Lamps, LED Premium Reflector Headlamps, Automatic Headlamps, and Headlamp Off Time Delay.
And what's an off-road monster without some new wheels? The drive to Laguna would have us enduring a variety of roads and networks, most of which, the Wrangler Sport passed with flying colors. Suffice it to say, that the SUV's gear has no problem in this area.
The new Wrangler Unlimted Sport has a lot of help on that front, thanks to some new 17-inch gray all-aluminum wheels. When paired with 245/75 R17 all-terrain tires, this thing can conquer even the harder slopes and less-than-ideal surfaces. Trust us that traversing EDSA then Rizal then Laguna certainly offers quite the challenge for the average SUV. More on its actual performance in a minute.
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Versatility and functionality are two words that first come to mind when we think of the Wrangler Sport. These can be best seen typified in the interior and cabin. An all-new 12.3 touchscreen is paired with the award-winning Uconnect 5 system atop the center stack. Soft-touch surfaces, rendered in fabric or polyurethane, are contrasted with accent stitching.
Adding to this is the seven-inch TFT color display driver’s cluster, as well as the manual adjust six-way and lumbar two-way support, allowing for optimal comfort. The cabin, on the other hand, comes with cloth bucket seats, assist handles, heated front seats, and illuminated cupholders, among other delightful specs on the spec sheet. Ports, scattered all over, much like any modern SUV.
Honestly, all these are just everything we'd expect from Jeep, really. We sound bored, don't we? Well, premium is simple, as it should be. The biggest highlight here, really, is that nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system. Good god, just amazing acoustics and fidelity inside. The vibes were immaculate.
Now for the fun part. Performance-wise, the Wrangler Unlimited Sport, even with the base engine, is a marvel. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it can easily get up to 268HP at 5,250RPM and 400NM. Putting this thing to the test, the pull and traction were just superb.
Mind you, we had been driving from San Juan to Rizal to Laguna here. It can handle the thrill of mountainous terrains and the dullness of EDSA log jams. It's especially fun to run up hills and unmade pavements. The handling is just impeccable, given the kinds of conditions and deterrents it had to deal with.
More on its 4X4 strengths. From the Dana M186 Front Axle and Dana M200 Rear Axle to the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system down to the skid plate and plate shield, this SUV exudes the confidence of a man who doesn't have anything to lose. Okay, maybe we dial that down a little bit. Calm down, you Ricky Bobby wannabe.
We can't ignore the safety features Jeep has installed. Driver-assistive components, such as adaptive cruise control, Selec-speed control, electronic stability control, full-speed forward collision warning plus, traction control, and advanced brake assist, to name a few, ensure that drivers have an extra pair of hands to guide them.
The two-door passive entry, speed-sensitive front door locks, and tire pressure monitoring display come in just as handy, too. Funny enough, whenever we went over (or under) the speed limit in different locations, the dashboard would warn us; as if to say, "Quit dicking around and be cool."
All in all, it's hard to complain about the Wrangler Unlimited Sport. It weaves together functionality, classic style, and a common vigor found in the most dedicated off-road enthusiasts. If you fall under this select group of the deranged, then you're going to have a lot of fun with this bad boy.
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Sport is available in eight colors, namely Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal, Silver Zynith, High Velocity, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Bright White, and Black. Price starts at P4,790,000. For more information, check out the official Jeep website here.
