2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Dodge Durango carried its styling from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a 2011 redesign. Its connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, though the platform felt dated. The Durango shared a platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee but had a longer wheelbase and overall length. While the Jeep received significant cabin updates, the Durango's interior felt somewhat outdated and in need of a refresh, which was expected for the 2021 model year.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 options in the Citadel and SRT.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a styling that looked older due to its carryover design. The fifth-generation Forester featured distinctive cross-shaped taillights and a boxy, upright shape appealing to SUV shoppers. The Base trim had 17-inch steel wheels, while the Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The Forester rode on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other Subaru models, and had a no-nonsense interior with materials designed for durability. The Sport trim added orange interior accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and additional features like heated seats and a power liftgate.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines across its trims. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came 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 had 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 or available all-wheel drive. The V6 provided decent power, while the 5.7-liter V8 offered confident acceleration. The SRT stood out with its performance-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and detailed drive mode customization through the Dodge SRT performance pages.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine had a boxer configuration, providing a lower center of gravity. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity with standard Trailer Stability Assist. The Forester's power felt adequate but lacked the thrust for highway merging or overtaking. The suspension tuning was soft, resulting in poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. However, the Forester's standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode provided better handling on different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. The Forester also had 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard hill-descent control on higher trims.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered 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. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The cabin provided ample space, with comfortable front seats and a choice of a three-passenger bench or second-row captain's chairs. The third row was more suitable for children. The Durango also featured multiple cargo bins, cupholders, and trays for gear storage.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear bench down. It offered more cargo space than some competitors but lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on the Limited and Touring trims. The Forester's interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available.

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. It featured a tablet-inspired layout with a dock of icons for easy access to functions. The Durango also came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and premium audio systems, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the R/T, Citadel, and SRT trims.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring models included navigation and rear USB ports. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also featured a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure.

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. 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Moderate score in driver’s side small-front overlap testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, receiving the highest “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. EyeSight used a camera-based system, allowing Subaru to roll it out quickly across its lineup. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system, checking for signs of distraction. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.