2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Audi Q3

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a massive corporate grille that paired well with its stout, chunky styling, presenting an idea of utility and dynamic handling. The cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, making it a standout feature. Despite the Q3's modern and refined feel, newer Volkswagen interiors began to catch up, making the Q3's interior feel less special over time.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats. Its elegant design, recognizable as a Jeep, featured a seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing its impressive look. The interior boasted dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, making it feel luxurious and well worth the price.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q3's handling was nimble, and its ride was comfortable, providing a best-of-both-worlds dynamic. However, the base engine exhibited some turbo lag, especially under hard acceleration.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, while the V8, with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, provided a more satisfying performance. The plug-in hybrid 4xe, with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, was a promising option. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, offering a comfortable ride with minimal body roll, pitch, and dive. The air suspension provided five ride height settings, enhancing its versatility.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space was subpar for the class, the Q3 made up for it with comfortable front seats and impressive rear seat headroom and legroom, accommodating up to five passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek interface and physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat as an option. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi's MMI system, featuring Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard driver aids included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional available features were a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids mentioned above.