2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon. Special editions like the Willys and Black and Tan added unique touches to the lineup.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 had a sharp, modern appearance with LED headlights, a big Singleframe grille, and crisp character lines. The plug-in hybrid version featured S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a clean, uncluttered design. The materials were high-quality, with real wood and metal accents. The second row offered ample space, and the overall fit and finish were exceptional.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, producing 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine delivered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. However, the Wrangler's on-road performance was less refined, with significant road noise and a rough ride. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed the Q5 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and achieve 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered various driving modes to optimize fuel consumption and battery usage. Handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door model was more popular, offering about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered flat. The Wrangler's doors and windshield could be removed, and the roof was available in various configurations, including a soft top, hardtop, and the Sky One-Touch roof. However, the Wrangler's cargo space was less than that of more conventional SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, making it comfortable for two adults. The front seats were highly adjustable, heated, and ventilated in the Prestige trim. The Q5's interior featured numerous storage options, including cupholders, cubbies, and a center-console storage bin.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8.4 Uconnect package also included an Alpine premium audio system with a subwoofer.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV boasted a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus instrument cluster. The Prestige Package included navigation, which worked with the hybrid system to optimize fuel consumption. The Q5 also featured an Integrated Toll Module, a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system. The gasoline-only Q5 received top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, and similar ratings were expected for the PHEV.