2021 vs. 2024

[alpha1847]

Just traded in my early build 2021 4xe Sahara for a 2024 4xe High Altitude and figured I would share my experience so far. The Sahara was a fully loaded model w/ the Skyslider and all option packages, so very similar to the new High Altitude in terms of features.

First, some comments on the obvious improvements:

1. Power seats: As a bigger guy, the additional adjustments help a lot. Just wish they added a memory function tied to each driver profile
2. Bigger screen: The wider aspect ratio is really helpful, putting the most frequently used controls closer to you and allowing the nav widget to be closer to the driver when using multiple widgets or using CarPlay in the multi-view mode.
3. Updated UConnect: The new Google-based system is fast and easy to use. The native Nav option no longer looks like it's from 2005. I do wish there was an option to use CarPlay as one of the widgets, so you could display/control XM or FM in the other widget. If you use CarPlay, the only place you can see XM/FM song info is in the driver instrument cluster and can only control using steering wheel controls. There is plenty of room for CarPlay in one widget.
4. Wireless CarPlay: About time. For all those normal trips that don't require you to charge your phone, so much easier. Faster than some other wireless systems I've used from other car makers.
5. Standard Gorilla glass windshield/laminated side windows/extra sound insulation: Combined with the active noise cancellation, the reduction in cabin noise on the highway is very noticeable.
6. PowerBox: Haven't had a chance to use it, but this will be a game changer for tailgating and camping. Just be aware that the box is fairly big. Takes up almost all the space in the under floor storage in the cargo area. While having two 120v, 15-amp circuits is enough for most, not sure why they don't have an option for one 240v, 30-amp plug that would make it easier to use for home backup or plugging into a camper. We know the power port can handle 240v/32amp input, so why not the other way?
7. Integrated windshield antenna: yes, a small thing, but not gritting your teeth going through a carwash is makes it a worthwhile improvement. It also gets you an extra Trail Rated badge where the old antenna was mounted!
8. Side curtain airbags: Did a good job packaging. Unless you were looking for them, you wouldn't notice the difference.

Now, the less obvious improvements:

1. Suspension damping is better - not sure if it's just better tuning or better hardware
2. Steering is better weighted - heavier, which is what I prefer
3. Regen braking is smoother
4. Max regen mode is much more linear, especially at very low speeds
5. The General Grabber A/T Sport tires on the High Altitude are a huge improvement over the Bridgestone Alanza's that come on the Saharas. Perfect blend of all-terrain capability and on-road performance.
6. I love the look of the blue stitching on the black interior of the High Altitude

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[Ron93YJ]

Did you factory order the 24? I’ve always figured I’d hang onto my 21 4xe until the next Wrangler came out but it’s always tempting to upgrade sooner. The changes for the 24s don’t move the needle enough for me personally. I actually dislike that the antenna is in the windshield now.

 

[alpha1847]

Did you factory order the 24? I’ve always figured I’d hang onto my 21 4xe until the next Wrangler came out but it’s always tempting to upgrade sooner. The changes for the 24s don’t move the needle enough for me personally. I actually dislike that the antenna is in the windshield now.

No, dealers in the Boston area have tons of inventory. One reason I like the High Altitude is that it comes standard with everything that's optional on the Sahara (except they did make a mid-year change to make the Skyslider optional, which isn't reflected on the Jeep.com site yet). So, you basically just had to pick from 4 colors - white, green, silver or black. I wanted silver or black. In the end, glad I went silver. Like the contrast of silver and black better.

I had the same thinking about whether it was worth the upgrade now. I at least wanted to wait until next year, as there is supposed to be a battery upgrade. However, the deals were too hard to pass up. Yes, the MSRPs are way up vs 2021, but I leased mine right at the beginning of the the supply chain issues and I was lucky to have my net cap cost be MSRP minus the $7500 EV credit. With all the incentives, my net cap cost was about $20k below MSRP, so I basically swapped my 2021 for more features, another 3 years of bumper to bumper warranty and reduced my lease payment by $30/mo. If I bought out my 2021 (only had 22k miles), I would have had to pay $39k, only had the powertrain warranty and spent $1200+ on new tires. It was a no-brainer when I got into it.

This new lease will get me to the next gen Wrangler, which will have a full EV and a Ramcharger-like EV w/range extender option (this appeals to me the most). That will hopefully be the one I hang onto for a while.

 

[us3r1d]

Just wish they added a memory function tied to each driver profile

This, so very very much. It's such an obvious thing to put in the user profile, especially because then they could let the passenger also select a profile.

A really wasted opportunity for a small change with a huge impact.

 

[alpha1847]

This, so very very much. It's such an obvious thing to put in the user profile, especially because then they could let the passenger also select a profile.

A really wasted opportunity for a small change with a huge impact.

My wife drives my Wrangler a lot - makes the transition so much easier. Think we've had this on every car we've had the last 20 years.. Agree - missed opportunity. Not even the power mirrors are tied to the profiles. Seem like easy wins.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have a 2023 Rubicon 392 and a 2024 Rubicon X. There isn't anything that was added to the 24 that makes it better to me.

 

[BXFXJeep]

The MSRP difference between the 2021 and 2024 is significant, and I don't see any value in that difference, actually most of the "enhancements" are actually things I don't like.

 

[longfiredragon]

Everyone's jeep is there own.

Congratulations on your new one. I am not a huge fan of silver, until I saw the silver zenith on the wrangler. I had already got mine or I probably would have gone with the silver zenith.

Enjoy!

 

[alphawolff]

I have a 2023 Rubicon 392 and a 2024 Rubicon X. There isn't anything that was added to the 24 that makes it better to me.

The side airbags are massive, even if you don't really think about them.

 

[nositting]

The MSRP difference between the 2021 and 2024 is significant, and I don't see any value in that difference, actually most of the "enhancements" are actually things I don't like.

you don’t like the side airbags? not saying you should like any of the changes or anything, but i’d think those would be nice. also not saying they are/aren’t worth the price.

 

[lowmpg]

Just traded in my early build 2021 4xe Sahara for a 2024 4xe High Altitude and figured I would share my experience so far. The Sahara was a fully loaded model w/ the Skyslider and all option packages, so very similar to the new High Altitude in terms of features.

First, some comments on the obvious improvements:

1. Power seats: As a bigger guy, the additional adjustments help a lot. Just wish they added a memory function tied to each driver profile
2. Bigger screen: The wider aspect ratio is really helpful, putting the most frequently used controls closer to you and allowing the nav widget to be closer to the driver when using multiple widgets or using CarPlay in the multi-view mode.
3. Updated UConnect: The new Google-based system is fast and easy to use. The native Nav option no longer looks like it's from 2005. I do wish there was an option to use CarPlay as one of the widgets, so you could display/control XM or FM in the other widget. If you use CarPlay, the only place you can see XM/FM song info is in the driver instrument cluster and can only control using steering wheel controls. There is plenty of room for CarPlay in one widget.
4. Wireless CarPlay: About time. For all those normal trips that don't require you to charge your phone, so much easier. Faster than some other wireless systems I've used from other car makers.
5. Standard Gorilla glass windshield/laminated side windows/extra sound insulation: Combined with the active noise cancellation, the reduction in cabin noise on the highway is very noticeable.
6. PowerBox: Haven't had a chance to use it, but this will be a game changer for tailgating and camping. Just be aware that the box is fairly big. Takes up almost all the space in the under floor storage in the cargo area. While having 2, 15-amp circuits is enough for most, not sure why they don't have an option for 1, 30-amp plug that many campers use.
7. Integrated windshield antenna: yes, a small thing, but not gritting your teeth going through a carwash is makes it a worthwhile improvement. It also gets you an extra Trail Rated badge where the old antenna was mounted!

Now, the less obvious improvements:

1. Suspension damping is better - not sure if it's just better tuning or better hardware
2. Steering is better weighted - heavier, which is what I prefer
3. Regen braking is smoother
4. Max regen mode is much more linear, especially at very low speeds
5. The General Grabber A/T Sport tires on the High Altitude are a huge improvement over the Bridgestone Alanza's that come on the Saharas. Perfect blend of all-terrain capability and on-road performance.
6. I love the look of the blue stitching on the black interior of the High Altitude

Nice to see a comparison done, thanks for writing this up. None of the new items move me to buy one but I really like the comparison.

For me 1. don’t need power seats, 2. I think the screen looks like it was glued on from a laptop (prefer how the Ram integrates the screen) 3/4. I don’t have issues with my USB based wireless adapter 5/7. Windshields crack and having an integrated antenna just made that more expensive 6. I don’t go camping with my Jeep.

Long story short, I’m still waiting on a 2028 new model hopefully

 

[BXFXJeep]

you don’t like the side airbags? not saying you should like any of the changes or anything, but i’d think those would be nice. also not saying they are/aren’t worth the price.

Nope

 

[mjposner]

I would have upgraded for the bigger screen and the noise reduction (mine is very loud on the highway) IF they had increased tow capacity for the High Altitude....

 

[alpha1847]

The side airbags are massive, even if you don't really think about them.

I don't think they are that massive, considering everything they have to pack in there. Just kind of widens and flattens a rail that was already there.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The side airbags are massive, even if you don't really think about them.

I agree with that.

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