2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Dodge Durango carried its styling over from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a complete redesign in 2011. The connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, but the Durango was based on a decade-old platform. Its cabin design was straightforward but felt somewhat dated, especially compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which shared its platform but had received more significant updates. The Durango was in desperate need of a refresh, which was expected for the 2021 model year. The 2020 Durango offered trims like SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT, each adding various features from basic 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen in the SXT to more luxurious and performance-oriented features in the Citadel and SRT trims.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a product of its long time on the market, retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t get any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. The GX’s tough, aggressive look was distinctive, but its interior didn’t meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was plenty of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather on the Luxury trim level. The interior ergonomics, however, betrayed its age, with limited legroom and an odd steering wheel position.

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 range-topping SRT came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, branded the "392," delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD) depending on the trim. The V6 provided decent power, while the 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T offered confident acceleration. The SRT was a different beast, with strong low-end power and impressive handling for its size, thanks to a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes. The SRT also featured Dodge SRT performance pages for detailed engine status updates and drive mode customization.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s V8 had plenty of grunt for moving away from a stop, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and stopping more challenging. The GX’s body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and multi-view camera system. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

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 the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, though the VW Atlas offered more space. The Durango’s cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a second row that could be configured with a bench or captain’s chairs. The third row was best suited for children. The Durango also featured multiple cargo bins, cupholders, and trays for gear, with the SRT trim offering a second-row center console with cupholders.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, the third row was best reserved for children, and accessing it was challenging. The GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, less than the Land Rover Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

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. Both screens used Dodge’s Uconnect infotainment system, known for its straightforward menu layout and simple navigation. Uconnect featured a tablet-inspired layout with a dock of icons for easy access to functions. The Durango came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to switch between CarPlay and Uconnect screens. Higher trims included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and an Alpine premium audio system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. Below the main screen was a display for time and temperature, reminiscent of a digital clock. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

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. The R/T, Citadel, and SRT trims included front- and rear parking sensors. Optional driver-assistance features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. 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 Superior crash-prevention technology.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 hadn’t been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.