2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Dodge Durango

The 2020 Dodge Durango retained its styling from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a 2011 redesign. Its design connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, though the platform was a decade old. The Durango's cabin design was straightforward but felt dated compared to its Jeep Grand Cherokee counterpart, which had received more significant updates. The Durango was in need of a refresh, which was anticipated for the 2021 model year, promising more aggressive exterior styling and a reworked cabin. The 2020 Durango offered trims like SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT, each with varying features from basic 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen in the SXT to the luxury-minded Citadel with premium leather upholstery and a power moonroof. The SRT trim stood out with its unique aggressive look and performance-oriented features.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. The Wrangler's design was consistent, with variations in fenders, tops, and other styling touches depending on the trim level. The Wrangler was not known for comfort, with upright seating and limited legroom, but this was part of its charm for the right driver. Trims included Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with special editions like Willys and High Altitude. The Sport trim was basic, while the Sport S added power features and options for additional packages. The Sahara was more street-oriented, and the Rubicon was ideal for off-road enthusiasts, featuring beefed-up suspension and running gear. The Rubicon 392, with its Hemi V8, offered a powerful off-road experience.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines across its trims. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, also available on the Citadel. The top-tier SRT trim boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive depending on the trim. The V6 provided decent power for family hauling, while the 5.7-liter V8 offered confident acceleration. The SRT's 392 V8 was a powerhouse, with strong low-end power and impressive handling for its size, enhanced by a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes. The SRT also featured Dodge SRT performance pages for detailed engine status and drive mode customization.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's powertrain lineup included gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler offered three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for off-roading. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. It featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and a dual-mode performance exhaust for an exhilarating driving experience.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This was comparable to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, though the VW Atlas offered more space. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 to 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The cabin offered comfortable front seats and a choice between a three-passenger bench or second-row captain's chairs, with ample head- and legroom in the second row. The third row was more cramped, suitable for children. The Durango featured multiple cargo bins, cupholders, and trays for gear, with the SRT model offering a second-row center console with cupholders.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulation. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that opened or closed in 18 seconds at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets, along with drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit larger items.

The 2020 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8.4-inch touchscreen was optional on the GT and standard on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was praised for its straightforward menu layout and simple navigation, with a tablet-inspired layout and dock icons for easy access to functions. The Durango included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with seamless transitions between CarPlay and Uconnect screens. Higher trims offered navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and an Alpine premium audio system, with an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim featured a basic 5-inch screen, with a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. An 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, offering crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Wrangler included radio toggles on the steering wheel and a color TFT screen in the instrument panel. The Rubicon 392 featured an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead, with its own washer-sprayer for muddy conditions.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were available on the SXT and standard on higher trims, with front- and rear parking sensors on the R/T, Citadel, and SRT. High-tech driver-assistance features were optional, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in other phases. The IIHS rated it Moderate for driver's side small-front overlap testing and Good in other crash tests, with optional crash-prevention technology rated Superior.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring, but lacked lane-departure warning. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was standard. The Wrangler also featured a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Rubicon 392's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its safety features, though the base configuration was basic in terms of modern safety technology.