Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT vs Audi SQ5

This could easily sell for $120K; resale value is strong at 61 per cent. There's more gear than the Audi, including sunroof, Harman Kardon audio (825W and 19 speakers) and satnav. Purchase price is right but factor in its thirst for premium unleaded.

The first "S" diesel matches blistering performance with high-end features and extensive, expensive options. Standard kit includes satnav, sunroof, electric tailgate and 10-speaker audio. No capped-price servicing but resale is a strong 63 per cent.

The 6.4-litre V8 (344kW/624Nm) can deactivate four cylinders to claim 14.0L/100km (premium ULP; 20.0L in town despite new eight-speed auto). It clocks 5.0 secs for 0-100km/h. There are Brembo brakes, Bilstein dampers and five-mode Selec-Track control.

The SQ5 shares its 3.0-litre bi-turbo diesel (230kW/650Nm) with the A6 and A7, propelling conventional eight-speed automatic and constant all-wheel drive. Audi claims 6.8L/100km and 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds. No low-range transfer case, so it stays on the bitumen.

Menacing even at rest. The SRT8 is a 25mm-lower Grand Cherokee with fat body kit and 20-inch forged aluminium wheels. Cabin is carbon-fibre and black leather with very comfortable seats but gauges and switches look dated. Luggage room is 782L-1554L.

The pretty donor Q5 gets a 25mm suspension drop. Big 20-inch alloys and black-painted brake calipers give SQ5 a unique profile. Black leather cabin trim, with customarily excellent quality and ergonomics. Luggage space is 540L-1650L.

Four ANCAP stars; eight airbags, blind-spot and forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, ready-alert braking, reverse camera and sensors, rear cross path detection, tyre pressure monitor, trailer-sway assist. Space-saver spare.

Five-star crash rating. The Audi packs reverse camera, tyre pressure monitor, all the electronic aids and eight airbags but no spare wheel, just a repair kit. Very quick, very versatile and very well-equipped, the SQ5 has the active and passive safety fronts covered.

The Audi's acceleration surprises -- the SRT8's shocks and that's its appeal. Handling is reasonably predictable, firm ride tends to harsh on bad roads but seat comfort is almost in armchair league. The V8 burbles, roars, howls and thumps.

Feels like any diesel Q5 until you accelerate. Handling is just as big a surprise, ride is predictably firm but not uncomfortable. Grip is excellent, road noise reasonable and steering well-weighted but the ratio makes it feel like a go-kart.