Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Audi Q3

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a design that embraced the era of postmodern automotive styling. Its massive corporate grille complemented the stout, chunky styling, suggesting utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, highlighting one of the Q3’s standout features. When the interior debuted with the redesigned Q3 in 2019, it was a standout design. However, as Volkswagen's interiors began to catch up, the Q3's cabin, while still modern and refined, felt less unique.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots. The interior shared styling features with the Wagoneer but boasted more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine option was previously standard, but Audi lowered the base MSRP by $2,000, making the 228-hp engine a $2,000 option. The more potent powertrain provided a lively driving experience with solid power for passing, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. The Q3 featured Audi’s Drive Select with Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road modes, though the latter was best suited for light dirt trails.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, impressive for a vehicle weighing around 6,400 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also had the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable height for off-roading or reducing aerodynamic drag. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a stately pace, as its ride became bouncy at higher speeds, and the steering was imprecise.

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 space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the total cargo space was subpar for the class. However, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, providing comfortable front seats and impressive rear-seat headroom and legroom, making it suitable for four passengers on a road trip.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer seated seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, space up front was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all three rows in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, it offered 94.2 cubic feet, less than its competitors. It had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with standard 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 was also available, replacing the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured a second screen below the main one for functions like seat massagers, and a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. It used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software update capability.

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

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection collision assist, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and two levels of driver-assistance systems. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.