2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 presented itself as a sharp-looking crossover SUV that adeptly carried Audi's distinctive design language while maintaining its unique character within the brand's lineup. The vehicle's front end featured a bold and expressive face, accentuated by LED headlights positioned alongside a prominent Audi Singleframe grille, all designed with horizontal elements emphasizing the car's width. The Q5's body showcased crisp character lines, with a greenhouse resembling a protective shell, and the rear of the vehicle boasted bold, large taillights. Overall, the Audi Q5 displayed a classy and modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in Q5 variant donned S-Line trim pieces and enhancements that differentiated it from the gasoline-only models, offering standard 19-inch wheels and optional 20-inch wheels for an even more striking look.

Inside, the Q5 continued the theme of class and modernity with an uncluttered appearance despite its technological advancements. Controls were smartly grouped and functionally segregated, maintaining a cohesive design. The materials used within the cabin were of high quality, featuring real wood, real metal, and honed surfaces that added authenticity. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically positioned at the top of the center stack, ensuring it was in the driver’s line of sight. The second row was similarly well-appointed, featuring standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L demonstrated an entirely different yet equally captivating style. Rather than being an extension of the existing Grand Cherokee, it was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 model, equipped with a third row and more cargo volume. The Grand Cherokee L’s design cleverly mimicked the expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, making it instantly recognizable as a Jeep with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. The car's proportions were perfectly balanced, creating a visually appealing SUV regardless of the trim level selected.

The Grand Cherokee L was available in various trims including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with pricing ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. Our test vehicle, in Summit trim, included features like four-wheel drive, metallic paint, Advanced Pro Tech Group, Luxury Tech Group, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, culminating in a final price of $64,770. Despite some of the interior materials not quite meeting the expectations set by its high price, the Summit’s quilted and perforated leather seats, real wood trim, and abundant technology made it a substantial improvement over its predecessor.

The Audi Q5 PHEV took an already enjoyable crossover and elevated it further with its plug-in hybrid capabilities. Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine partnered with an electric motor, the Q5 PHEV delivered a combined output of 362 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup was sufficient to handle the crossover’s 4,665-pound curb weight efficiently. The PHEV could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, thanks to its innovative setup that provided immediate power when needed and contributed to excellent fuel-economy figures of 65 MPGe combined when in hybrid mode, or 27 mpg in gasoline-only mode. The Q5 PHEV’s battery could be fully recharged overnight with a standard household outlet or in 2.4 hours using a Level 2 charger.

Driving modes added versatility, allowing the Q5 to switch between fully electric driving for up to 20 miles, hybrid driving, or reserving battery power for later use. The vehicle's seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission and full-time Quattro all-wheel drive provided smooth power delivery and ensured confident handling. It used speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and featured a four-wheel independent suspension with five-link setups both front and rear. Handling was firm and sporty, with minimal body roll and predictable braking.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, available with either a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque or an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, catered to a wide range of performance needs. The V8 variant, available only with 4WD in certain trims (Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve), generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, enhancing the vehicle’s towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel efficiency to 17 mpg combined.

Our test vehicle equipped with the V6 and 4WD offered brisk acceleration facilitated by its eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the engine was notably loud when revved, and the transmission resisted downshifting at times to improve fuel economy. On a testing loop, the Grand Cherokee L averaged 17.8 mpg, below the expected 21 mpg combined rating. The vehicle featured multiple drive modes including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with the Quadra-Lift air suspension adjusting ride height and clearance for varying conditions. Maximum ground clearance could reach 10.9 inches, allowing it to tackle challenging off-road terrain.

Its stiffer structure was evident during daily driving, delivering a smooth ride and a solid feel. In Auto mode, it felt slightly soft over uneven surfaces, but handling remained capable due to variable-ratio steering and large 20-inch wheels.

The Audi Q5 PHEV managed to merge compact crossover practicality with innovative packaging, where its battery pack was placed under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. The vehicle offered 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. Rear legroom measured a reasonable 37.8 inches, while headroom and shoulder room were ample at 37.7 and 56.5 inches, respectively. The driver and front-seat passenger enjoyed comfortable and supportive seating with adjustable heating and ventilation available with the Prestige trim. The interior design was uncluttered, with cupholders, cubbies, and storage nooks strategically placed for convenience.

Comparatively, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in comfort and convenience, especially in higher trims. The Summit trim featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, coupled with a heated steering wheel. Its four-zone automatic climate control system ensured that passengers in all three rows could enjoy personalized comfort, though the dashboard vents struggled to cool the front seats effectively during intense heat. The second-row captain’s chairs provided plenty of legroom and comfort. Importantly, these could slide forward with child safety seats installed to provide access to the third row, which was also spacious and comfortable for most adults.

Cargo capacity in the Grand Cherokee L was generous with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats. This made it a practical choice for families needing ample space for their gear.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV came equipped with Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. This system offered three different views and was highly customizable. The Prestige Package included a Navigation Package that optimized fuel consumption in hybrid mode based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard, providing compatibility with most U.S. toll services without the clunky external transponder. A high-quality Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available, standard on the Prestige trim, offering an immersive audio experience alongside wireless Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L utilized the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, the latter in our test vehicle. While it had some quirks, users acclimated quickly and enjoyed features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also included natural voice recognition, which performed well albeit with some odd search results. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered powerful sound quality, though its aesthetic didn't quite match the overall interior design. Additional available tech included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, thermal-imaging night vision system, and a FamCam rear-seat monitoring system.

For 2021, the Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t yet been rated by the IIHS, but its gasoline-only counterpart received top “good” ratings in most categories, with a “marginal” rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars, and similar ratings were expected for the PHEV. Safety features in the Q5 included six airbags, Audi Pre Sense basic occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, and a range of driver-assistance options like adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

Jeep introduced Active Driving Assist in the Grand Cherokee L, a hands-on system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, aimed at reducing driver fatigue on long trips. This system performed well though it felt slightly artificial. Jeep also offered Intersection Collision Assist, capable of detecting and reacting to side-on collision threats at intersections. Other features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist for easier parking. As of the review date, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but expectations were that the new Grand Cherokee’s improved structure would secure better results.