Compare the2024 Audi Q3VS 2023 Jeep Renegade

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Renegade doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and Renegade have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 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 Renegade’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 Q3 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 Renegade doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q3 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 Renegade 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.

The Q3 Premium Plus has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Renegade 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 Q3 and Renegade have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Q3 has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Renegade’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Q3 and the Renegade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras 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 Q3 is safer than the Jeep Renegade:

	Q3	Renegade
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	235/363 lbs.	343/366 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	346	363
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	35%
Neck Stress	186 lbs.	221 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/249 lbs.	290/322 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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Jeep Renegade:

	Q3	Renegade
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	161
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	159	286
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	73 G’s
Hip Force	632 lbs.	1157 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	485 lbs.	625 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Renegade:

	Q3	Renegade
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.73 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	11 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Q3 is 1.5% to 6.4% less likely to roll over than the Renegade.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Renegade is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Q3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Renegade’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Renegade’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Renegade’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Q3 has a standard 680-amp battery. The Renegade’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q3’s reliability 23 points higher than the Renegade.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 first among small premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Renegade isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (184 vs. 177) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 210) than the Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (228 vs. 177) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (251 vs. 210) than the Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Q3 45 TFSI is faster than the Jeep Renegade:

	Q3	Renegade
Zero to 60 MPH	8.5 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.4 MPH	78.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q3 40 TFSI gets better fuel mileage than the Renegade Trailhawk (22 city/29 hwy vs. 22 city/27 hwy).

The Q3 has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Renegade (15.9 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Q3 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Renegade. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Renegade:

	Q3	Renegade
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.95 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Renegade are solid, not vented.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the Renegade:

	Q3	Renegade
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the Renegade (235/55R18 vs. 215/60R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Renegade (255/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Q3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Renegade Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Renegade’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Renegade. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Renegade.

Suspension and Handling

The Q3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Renegade’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Q3 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Renegade doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q3’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Renegade (105.5 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q3 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Renegade.

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the Renegade Latitude pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Renegade Trailhawk (28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Q3 has standard flush composite headlights. The Renegade has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Q3 has .8 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear legroom than the Renegade.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The Renegade’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Q3 is 1.9 inches lower than the Renegade (17.5” vs. 19.4”). The Q3’s rear step up height is 1.6 inches lower than the Renegade’s (18” vs. 19.6”).

Cargo Capacity

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the Renegade with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 18.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Renegade’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

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

	Q3	Renegade
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34”/65”	28.9”/59”
Max Width	54”	40.1”
Min Width	39”	37.6”
Height	28”	33.7”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Q3 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Renegade doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The Q3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Renegade uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 31% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Q3, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Renegade doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Q3’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 Renegade’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Renegade can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Renegade Latitude/Altitude/(Red)’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Renegade doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Q3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Renegade’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Q3’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Renegade’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The Q3 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Renegade only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Q3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Renegade offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q3 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Renegade doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Q3 and the Renegade offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q3 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Renegade doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi Q3 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Renegade doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the Renegade because typical repairs cost less on the Q3 than the Renegade, including $166 less for a muffler, $130 less for front brake pads, $24 less for a starter and $69 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Renegade isn't recommended.

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