Compare the2022 Jeep CherokeeVS 2022 Audi Q3

The Cherokee has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Q3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee (except Latitude) offers optional Parksense with Rear Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Cherokee and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Audi Q3:

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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Audi Q3:

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

Jeep’s powertrain warranty covers the Cherokee 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

There are almost 8 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cherokee’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Cherokee has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Cherokee optional). The Q3’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Cherokee has a standard 700-amp battery. The Q3’s 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 91 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep 19th in reliability. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 25th.

The Cherokee’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 86 more horsepower (270 vs. 184) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cherokee’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 42 more horsepower (270 vs. 228) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cherokee’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6 produces 43 more horsepower (271 vs. 228) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Cherokee turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

On the EPA test cycle the Cherokee gets better mileage than the Q3:

The Cherokee has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Cherokee, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Q3.

The Cherokee stops shorter than the Q3:

The Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Q3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Cherokee X/Trailhawk has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Q3; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Cherokee’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Q3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 1 inch longer than on the Q3 (106.5 inches vs. 105.5 inches). The Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Q3 (107.1 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cherokee is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q3.

The Cherokee Latitude LUX 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cherokee Latitude LUX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cherokee’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Q3’s (37.6 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Cherokee 4x4 Trailhawk’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (7.9 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cherokee Trailhawk’s minimum ground clearance is 3.2 inches higher than on the Q3 (8.7 vs. 5.5 inches).

The Jeep Cherokee may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The design of the Jeep Cherokee amounts to more than styling. The Cherokee has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .339 Cd. That is lower than the Q3 (.36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Cherokee get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Cherokee (except Trailhawk) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cherokee has 19.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (103.5 vs. 84).

The Cherokee has 1.1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom and 4.2 inches more rear legroom than the Q3.

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The Cherokee’s cargo area is larger than the Q3’s in almost every dimension:

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q3’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q3 is only 1500 pounds. The Cherokee offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Cherokee 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Q3 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Cherokee uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cherokee has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Cherokee’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cherokee has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Cherokee Limited’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Both the Cherokee and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The Cherokee Overland also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Cherokee Limited/Trailhawk keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Cherokee Latitude Lux/Limited/Trailhawk’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Cherokee Latitude Lux/Limited/Trailhawk has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Cherokee is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cherokee is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because it costs $546 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cherokee than the Q3, including $232 less for a water pump, $205 less for a starter, $220 less for fuel injection, $360 less for front struts and $740 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Cherokee will be $2991 to $5214 less than for the Audi Q3.

The Jeep Cherokee outsold the Audi Q3 by over three to one during the 2021 model year.