2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear showcased bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, giving it an even better look. Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, packed with technology yet maintaining an uncluttered appearance. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited retained its iconic styling, recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks with painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. Inside, the Wrangler was not as comfortable as a car-based SUV, with upright seating, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments. However, for the right type of driver, these were considered charming rather than inconvenient. The Wrangler offered various trims, including the bare-bones Sport, the more comfortable Sport S, the street-oriented Sahara, and the off-road-ready Rubicon.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the already fun-to-drive Q5 and made it better by adding an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output for the PHEV was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, matching well with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The Q5 PHEV could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and achieved impressive fuel-economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and could be switched into various driving modes. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, and braking was powerful and predictable.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including the standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 producing 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler also introduced a plug-in hybrid variant, the Wrangler 4xe, with 275 hp and up to 22 miles of electric range. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also had beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, along with a dual-mode performance exhaust.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches). The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage options, including cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center-console armrest.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, and with insulated panels to reduce road noise. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets, along with drain plugs for easy cleaning.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a center-console touchpad, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the Sport S and higher trims offered a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, featuring crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 gasoline-only model received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, which received a “marginal” rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler’s safety features were basic, especially in the base configuration.