Compare the2024 Audi Q5VS 2023 Jeep Cherokee

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

Safety

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The Q5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Cherokee doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q5 and Cherokee have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q5 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 Cherokee’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 Q5 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 Cherokee 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 Q5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cherokee only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Q5 and Cherokee have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Q5 has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Cherokee’s Rear Cross-Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Q5 and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, 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 Q5 is safer than the Jeep Cherokee:

	Q5	Cherokee
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22%	38.2%
Neck Stress	215 lbs.	408 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	80/49 lbs.	368/516 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	34%	37%
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	218 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	241/259 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 Q5 is safer than the Jeep Cherokee:

	Q5	Cherokee
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	64
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	133 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	363 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	264
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	817 lbs.	938 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	43 G’s

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cherokee has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The Q5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Cherokee’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Cherokee’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q5’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Cherokee’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 7 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

The Q5 has more powerful engines than the Cherokee:

	Horsepower	Torque
Q5 40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	201 HP	236 lbs.-ft.
Q5 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	261 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
Q5 55 TFSI e 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
Cherokee 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder	180 HP	171 lbs.-ft.
Cherokee Trailhawk 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	270 HP	295 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Cherokee:

			MPGe
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e Electric Motor	60 city/61 hwy
Cherokee
			MPG
	AWD	2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Cherokee:

			MPG
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/27 hwy
		40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/28 hwy
Cherokee
	AWD	2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy

The Q5 55 TFSI e can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The Cherokee can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Q5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Q5’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cherokee (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).

The Q5 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Cherokee. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The Q5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Cherokee doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Q5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Cherokee doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cherokee:

	Q5 40/45 TFSI	Q5 55 TFSI e	Cherokee
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13.8 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	10.95 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			12.6 inches

The Q5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cherokee are solid, not vented.

The Q5 stops shorter than the Cherokee:

	Q5	Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	144 feet	153 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q5 has larger standard tires than the Cherokee (235/60R18 vs. 225/60R18). The Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cherokee (255/45R20 vs. 245/65R17).

The Q5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4’s standard 65 series tires. The Q5’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Cherokee Altitude LUX’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4. The Q5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cherokee Altitude LUX.

Suspension and Handling

The Q5 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Cherokee’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Q5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Cherokee’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q5 55 TFSI e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q5’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 Cherokee doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q5’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the Cherokee (111 inches vs. 106.6 inches).

The Q5 45 TFSI Prestige handles at .79 G’s, while the Cherokee pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q5 45 TFSI Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Cherokee (27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Q5 55 TFSI e has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Q5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Q5 has .2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cherokee.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q5 easier. The Q5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Cherokee’s liftover is 30.9 inches.

The Q5’s cargo area is larger than the Cherokee’s in almost every dimension:

	Q5	Cherokee
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36”/69”	33.9”/67.6”
Max Width	48.5”	49.2”
Min Width	41”	39.4”
Height	29.7”	28.8”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cherokee doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Q5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Cherokee’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Q5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cherokee. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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

The Q5 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed 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 Cherokee doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the Q5 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 Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Cherokee doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q5 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Cherokee doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Q5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Cherokee doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Cherokee doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Q5’s standard rear view mirror and optional 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 Cherokee has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Q5 and the Cherokee have standard heated front seats. The Q5 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Cherokee.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi Q5 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Cherokee doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Q5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Q5 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Cherokee is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q5 is less expensive to operate than the Cherokee because typical repairs cost less on the Q5 than the Cherokee, including $78 less for a fuel pump and $183 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Jeep Cherokee by 56% during 2022.

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