Compare the2022 Audi RS 6VS 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 6 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The RS 6’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the RS 6 and Grand Cherokee Trackhawk have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS 6 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi RS 6 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RS 6 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the RS 6 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The RS 6 has a standard Top and Corner View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the RS 6 and the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi RS 6 is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	RS 6	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	292/435 lbs.	563/457 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	98 lbs.	103 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	263/331 lbs.	574/680 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi RS 6 is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	RS 6	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	514 lbs.	652 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The RS 6 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The RS 6’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the RS 6 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Audi 20th in reliability. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 5 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi RS 6 is faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	RS 6	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Zero to 60 MPH	3.1 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	7.8 sec	8.8 sec
Quarter Mile	11.5 sec	12 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	120 MPH	115 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the RS 6 gets better fuel mileage than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (15 city/22 hwy vs. 11 city/17 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the RS 6’s fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the RS 6’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi RS 6 higher (3 out of 10) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (1). This means the RS 6 produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RS 6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	RS 6	RS 6 CCB	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	17.3 inches	15.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	14.6 inches	13.8 inches

The RS 6 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The RS 6 stops shorter than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	RS 6	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	168 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The RS 6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s standard 45 series tires. The RS 6’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 6 has standard 21-inch wheels. Only 20-inch wheels are available on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The RS 6 offers optional 22-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the RS 6 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The RS 6 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The RS 6’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The RS 6 Avant handles at .94 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RS 6 Avant executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (24.2 seconds @ .81 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

Chassis

The Audi RS 6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

The RS 6 is 9.3 inches shorter in height than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, making the RS 6 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Audi RS 6 amounts to more than styling. The RS 6 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is lower than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (.37). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RS 6 get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The RS 6 has 1 inch more front legroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RS 6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RS 6’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the RS 6 offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RS 6 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RS 6’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s parking brake has to released manually.

The RS 6’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The RS 6 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS 6 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.