2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being a decade-old design, maintained a timeless look that appealed to a broad demographic. Traditional Jeep styling cues such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders gave it a distinctive appearance. It exuded a balanced aesthetic that was equally suited for both rugged terrains and upscale environments. The Grand Cherokee's design crossed social boundaries, making it attractive to a diverse array of buyers.

Prices for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo model and went up to $52,495 for the Summit. There were at least eight additional variants, along with high-performance SRT ($68,895) and Trackhawk ($87,400) versions. Tested was the Grand Cherokee Limited X, coming in at $53,275 with every option except for a V8 engine, a towing package, and an optional $495 CD player upgrade. The Slate Blue Pearl paint, ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels contributed to its mild-custom appearance.

However, the interior materials of the Grand Cherokee, especially for models priced over $50,000, drew some criticism. While it featured premium materials, they were applied over a base that felt unsubstantial. The higher the price went, the more glaring the prevalence of hard plastic became.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 introduced multiple variations. The 45 TFSI had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 55 TFSI models came with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Additionally, a performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was new for 2020. The evaluated Q7 55 TFSI started at $60,800. Audi equipped it with Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, bringing the total to $74,290.

For 2020, the Q7 received design changes improving its front and rear styling, with new wheels and lighting elements enhancing its appearance. The 20-inch turbine-style wheels with 285/45 Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires provided both visual appeal and functionality. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing physical controls with three digital displays. The Okapi Brown leather, Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, and ambient lighting in the Prestige trim created an upscale and high-tech cabin environment.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering satisfying acceleration and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. However, testing showed a slightly lower 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including the 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk model, propelling it from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

The Grand Cherokee was designed for traditional off-road capabilities, with various 4WD systems suited for different needs. The Limited X model tested featured the Quadra-Trac II 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case. While it handled off-roading competently, on-road dynamics were mixed, with excessive suspension movements and average steering and braking performance.

Meanwhile, the Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for better fuel efficiency. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, it accelerated from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The Q7 also boasted a substantial towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined.

The Q7's adaptive air suspension and Audi Drive Select offered multiple driving modes, ensuring a comfortable and adaptable driving experience. Despite some initial lag in Comfort and Auto modes, switching to Dynamic mode provided responsive acceleration. The combination of agile handling, a serene cabin, and transparent mild-hybrid technology made the Q7 enjoyable to drive.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and a cargo capacity of 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats provided comfort, but the lack of a ventilated seat option in the Limited X trim was a downside. The infotainment system integration of seat heater controls was another point of irritation.

Backseat passengers, particularly children, found the rear seats comfortable, with ample legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage spaces were adequate, but some areas, like the glovebox, were limited.

In comparison, the Audi Q7, with its three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seats were cramped and better suited for children, reducing cargo space to a meager 14.2 cubic feet when in use. However, folding the third row expanded the cargo area to 35.7 cubic feet, and with the second row down, it offered a maximum of 69.6 cubic feet of space.

The Q7's cabin provided excellent comfort for long journeys, with eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, ample second-row legroom, and features like a four-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. However, practical interior storage was lacking, with limited space under the center armrest and narrow console cupholders.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM services. The system was known for its speed and ease of use, though the bouncy ride could make selecting virtual buttons challenging. Voice recognition was effective, making it easier to use some functions.

Off-Road Pages app was a unique feature, providing useful information for off-road adventures. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system, but higher-end models offered a superior 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology with upper and lower touchscreens, natural voice and handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite some responsiveness issues due to dry fingertips, the interface was generally intuitive once set up. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, with a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system available in 2021 models.

Jeep offered three collections of ADAS for the 2020 Grand Cherokee. The ProTech I package was standard with features like a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included additional features like full-speed forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were unimpressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS for small overlap frontal impacts and headlights.

Audi equipped the Q7 with numerous ADAS features, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. The new HD Matrix LED headlights performed exceptionally well, albeit with a "poor" IIHS rating due to glare. The Q7 received top ratings from IIHS for overall protection, minus the headlight assessment, highlighting its robust safety credentials.