Compare the2026 Jeep Grand CherokeeVS 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Jeep Grand Cherokee have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Grand Cherokee are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q5 Sportback, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Grand Cherokee	Q5 Sportback
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-2 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-2 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	-33 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	-28 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.6 sec	No Warning

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Grand Cherokee Limited Reserve/Summit 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Grand Cherokee and the Q5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is safer than the Audi Q5 Sportback:

	Grand Cherokee	Q5 Sportback
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	129	284
Neck Injury Risk	21%	22%
Neck Stress	152 lbs.	215 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	187
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28%	34%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	134 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee is safer than the Audi Q5 Sportback:

	Grand Cherokee	Q5 Sportback
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	235 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	164	185
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	817 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
Hip Force	528 lbs.	600 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee is safer than the Q5 Sportback:

	Grand Cherokee	Q5 Sportback
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	1004 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	185	346
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.34 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	803 lbs.	1249 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

Jeep’s powertrain warranty covers the Grand Cherokee 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q5 Sportback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q5 Sportback ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 Grand Cherokee’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Grand Cherokee has a standard 160-amp alternator (240-amp - Grand Cherokee optional). The Q5 Sportback’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Grand Cherokee has a standard 850-amp battery (900 2.0 Hurricane). The Q5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 above average in initial quality. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Grand Cherokee Laredo’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (293 vs. 261) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Grand Cherokee’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 63 more horsepower (324 vs. 261) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Jeep Grand Cherokee uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q5 Sportback requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Grand Cherokee has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Sportback (23 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Grand 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Grand Cherokee higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 Sportback (4). This means the Grand Cherokee produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 Sportback every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5 Sportback.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Grand Cherokee	Q5 Sportback
Front Rotors	13.9 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Grand Cherokee has larger standard tires than the Q5 Sportback (265/60R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Grand Cherokee Summit’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 Sportback (275/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Grand 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Q5 Sportback; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Grand Cherokee 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 Q5 Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Grand Cherokee’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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Cherokee’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Q5 Sportback (116.7 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Cherokee is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Q5 Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Cherokee’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Q5 Sportback’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The front grille of the Grand Cherokee uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Grand Cherokee Altitude/Limited/Summit uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Grand Cherokee has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5 Sportback.

Cargo Capacity

The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat up (37.7 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (70.8 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

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

	Grand Cherokee	Q5 Sportback
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	41”/73.8”	36”/69”
Max Width	55”	48.5”
Min Width	43”	41”
Height	32”	n/a

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q5 Sportback is limited to 4400 pounds. The Grand Cherokee offers up to a 6200 lbs. towing capacity.

The Grand Cherokee Summit 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 Grand Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Q5 Sportback can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Grand 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q5 Sportback, the Grand Cherokee Summit has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Grand Cherokee’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Q5 Sportback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Grand Cherokee has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q5 Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Grand Cherokee Limited Reserve/Trailhawk/Summit has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Cherokee Summit also has them in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Grand Cherokee Summit has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5 Sportback.

Compared to traditional radio, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q5 Sportback.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee stands out above the Audi Q5 Sportback by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Grand Cherokee Laredo X/Altitude/Limited/Summit 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The Grand Cherokee is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Grand Cherokee third among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Q5 Sportback isn’t in the top three.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by almost five to one during 2025.

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