2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, becoming more palatable over time. Initially, the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were points of contention, but after seven years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed more balanced. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's knack for maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee's distinctive look ensured it stood out in a crowded parking lot, bearing a strong resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front.

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive face with LED headlights flanking the large Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear showcased bold, large taillights. The Q5's overall appearance was classy and modern, with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in hybrid version, the Q5 PHEV, sported S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, making it even more attractive. Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern, with a clean, uncluttered design. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was perfectly positioned at the top of the center stack, and the second row featured standard leather seating surfaces, ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The next step up was the 3.2-liter V-6, delivering 271 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque, available on the Latitude Lux and Limited trims. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration. Testing showed a 2019 Cherokee with the V6 engine achieved 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, while the turbo-four did it in 7.4 seconds. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-efficient transmission. The Cherokee's off-road capability was notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which performed well on trails thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in front-wheel drive, making it a more affordable option for rental fleets.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the already fun-to-drive Q5 and made it even better. The Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, resulting in a total output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.0 seconds and achieve impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The Q5 PHEV's battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered various driving modes, including battery-only and hybrid modes. The Q5's handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel. The four-wheel independent suspension and powerful, predictable braking added to the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with variations depending on the trim level. The Latitude featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux had perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

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 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), accommodating two adults comfortably and a third for shorter rides. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row also featured cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin under the center-console armrest. The Q5's interior was uncluttered and smartly laid out, ensuring everything functioned well.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis brands' highly regarded infotainment system and climate control interfaces. The Uconnect system was available with a 7-inch touchscreen on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and Latitude Lux trims, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the Limited and Trailhawk. Both screen sizes were well thought out and responsive. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available, a convenient feature for various climates. The Uconnect system's consistency across Stellantis vehicles was a significant advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV came with Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was impressive and easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three customizable views: classic, sport, and dynamic. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, providing a built-in transponder compatible with most toll road services in the U.S. The Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 16-channel/755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was also included and worked seamlessly.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received "Acceptable" and "Marginal" ratings depending on the trim level. The NHTSA awarded the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning with lane keep assist, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.

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 Q5 gasoline model five stars, and similar ratings were expected for the PHEV. 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, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights and taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. 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 with traffic-jam assist, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.