2020 Audi Q7 vs 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s styling held up remarkably well over a decade. Its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, traditional greenhouse, and varied aluminum wheel designs showcased attention to balance, proportion, and detail. The Grand Cherokee was available in 12 trims, starting with the Laredo at $31,945, with an additional $1,495 destination charge and $2,000 for 4WD. Each trim, from Altitude to Trailhawk, Summit to Trackhawk, catered to style, off-road capability, luxury, or performance. The Trackhawk, with its 707-horsepower engine, topped out at over $100,000 with all options included.

The test vehicle was a Grand Cherokee Limited X priced at just over $50,000. It featured a performance vented hood, unique 20-inch wheels, special heritage-pattern leather seats, and various upgrades, including a 9-speaker Alpine sound system and the Advanced Active Safety Group. Inside, the Limited X had perforated leather seats and a premium appearance, but an abundance of hard plastic materials marred the overall build quality. A cold-weather squeak, a loose-feeling center console lid, and a flimsy turn-signal stalk further detracted from the interior experience.

The 2020 Audi Q7, available in 45 TFSI (with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine) and 55 TFSI (with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6) variants, introduced a performance-tuned SQ7 model with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. For this evaluation, the Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was reviewed. The test vehicle, in Prestige trim, included features like Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, bringing the total to $74,290.

The Q7’s front and rear styling underwent design changes for an improved look, aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. It had 20-inch turbine-style wheels with 285/45 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires that offered curb protection. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation of the Q8, replacing physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, adorned with Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, had a high-tech and upscale appearance. The Prestige trim's multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing ambiance at night.

Most versions of the 2019 Grand Cherokee featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower. For more power, buyers could opt for a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, a 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT model, or the 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk. An 8-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with three 4WD systems—standard or optional, based on the trim level. The Limited X test vehicle had Quadra-Drive II, an active full-time system with a 2-speed transfer case offering electronically activated 4-Lo gearing, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, Selec-Terrain driving modes, and a hill descent control system, making it off-road ready even with 265/50R20 all-season tires.

Despite its 21-mpg combined driving rating, real-world tests revealed an average of 18.3 mpg and 17.4 mpg in city driving. On-road, the Grand Cherokee felt robust, handling rough surfaces well, though the steering felt heavy and slow. Its tight turning radius was beneficial for parking and U-turns. However, during mountain testing, repeated hard braking over long descents resulted in reduced brake performance, highlighting the need for the upgraded braking systems in the SRT or Trackhawk models.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI debuted a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system. This technology extended the operation of the auto start/stop system and enabled engine-off coasting to conserve fuel. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Q7 offered several driving modes through Audi Drive Select. The 55 TFSI model accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, could tow up to 7,700 pounds, and had an EPA-rated 18 mpg combined.

During a road trip, the Q7 averaged 21 mpg, showing the efficiency of the mild-hybrid system. Its adaptive air suspension, in combination with Audi Drive Select, allowed for a comfortable drive across different road conditions. Dynamic mode improved off-the-line throttle response, while the turbocharged engine’s performance remained strong even at higher altitudes.

As a midsize SUV, the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered sufficient room for a family of five. The power-adjustable, heated front seats were comfortable, although the hard plastic front-seatback panels affected the rear passengers’ comfort. The cabin included useful features like air conditioning vents, dual USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. However, storage space was limited, with only a center console storage bin and small door-panel bins available. Cargo volume was 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2020 Audi Q7, a three-row SUV, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat, uncomfortable for adults, reduced cargo space to 14.2 cubic feet when in use. With the third row folded, cargo capacity increased to 35.7 cubic feet, and to 69.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Q7’s Prestige trim included features helpful for long trips, such as heated and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and rear window shades. However, practical interior storage was lacking. The center console offered minimal space due to the wireless charger, and the rear row had limited net storage and a few cupholders.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which could be upgraded to a newer Uconnect system. The upgraded system, standard on most trims, boasted a better interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, and navigation. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was straightforward, and the voice recognition worked well for finding points of interest and programming addresses. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system, while higher trims offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

For 2020, the Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response technology, combining two touchscreens—a 10.1-inch upper and an 8.6-inch lower screen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth, and Audi Connect services. Although responsive, the touchscreens sometimes faced issues with dry fingertips. However, once setup was complete, minimal interaction was required. Additional features included a full-color head-up display (which could be invisible with polarized sunglasses) and a Bose premium sound system, with an upgrade to a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

Despite the age of its design, the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with modern driver-assistance systems. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with optional features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, safety ratings were a concern. The IIHS rated its small-overlap frontal-impact protection for the driver as Marginal and Poor for the front passenger. Additionally, the federal government’s 3-star rollover resistance rating for rear-drive models was unimpressive.

The Audi Q7, equipped with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, received high marks for safety except for its headlights. Features included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist, although the latter’s traffic-sign-recognition system was unreliable. The Q7’s lane-centering assist (Active Lane Assist) occasionally performed poorly. Nonetheless, the IIHS rated the Audi Q7 highly in collision protection, earning top ratings apart from the headlights.