2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, featuring subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which boasted a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, offering a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 was refined with a simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler exuded a rugged, no-nonsense design with its boxy shape and iconic features like the seven-slot grille and round headlights. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler allowed for customization with removable doors and a fold-down windshield for an open-air experience. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The Wrangler's interior was practical, with easy-to-clean materials and a straightforward design. While it lacked luxury features like ambient lighting or massaging seats, it offered a body-coloured dash and chunky controls. The Wrangler's design was simple yet functional, with unique colour options like the limited-edition "Reign" purple and the new "Earl" grey with aquamarine highlights.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered a choice of three engines, starting with the base 40 TFSI quattro, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 37 kilometres. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery, likely due to the transmission, making it feel slower than its 6.1-second 0-100 km/h estimate. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the handling was sporty, with precise steering and a balance between compliance and cornering. The cabin remained quiet, with minimal road and wind noise.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler was built for off-road performance, with solid axles and optional differential lockers. It offered a range of engines, including the standard Pentastar V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 with 470 hp and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 35 kilometres of electric range. The 392 model excelled in off-road conditions, with a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a crawl ratio of 58:1 with the Xtreme Recon package. However, its on-road performance was hindered by inadequate brakes and vague steering. Other Wrangler models had better-suited brakes and steering, and the Bronco offered a more comfortable ride with its independent front suspension.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, but it continued to impress with its well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional controls for climate and secondary functions. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were somewhat limited, with oddly sized pockets and a shallow centre armrest bin. The Q5 offered 730 litres of cargo space, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were limited to specific models or packages. The rear seat was tight, especially in the four-door models, and the small rear doors made access challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and tiny glove box and centre console. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the Bronco. The hard top could be removed in one piece or with the front panels, and the soft top was relatively easy to remove. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided quick open-air access. The Wrangler excelled in providing charging points, with multiple USB ports and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and available SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Connect Care service allowed remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with a limited-time subscription. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel called the virtual cockpit.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, while our tester had the larger 8.4-inch screen. The system lacked hard buttons, relying on touchscreen icons for various features. Jeep's off-road pages provided detailed information, and connectivity options included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Wrangler offered practical tech features like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories, but lacked advanced features like a digital key or over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received top safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars for rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with "Good" scores in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The top Technik trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and semi-automated park assist.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with only a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control standard. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on top models or as part of an option package. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS ratings were mixed, with some trims receiving Poor headlight rankings. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four stars for frontal crash tests and three stars for rollover, with no side crash rating.