2021 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch model stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic in lower trims like the XLT was disappointing, especially given the high price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, consistent with its Charger and Challenger siblings. The new SRT Hellcat model, in particular, showcased a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a distinct front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior color schemes. The cabin featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leathers, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky touch. The updates to the dashboard gave the Durango a modern look, aligning it with Dodge's muscle car aesthetic.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered power to the rear wheels or an optional four-wheel-drive system. The Expedition had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities of up to 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The driving experience was generally pleasant, with the engine providing ample power and the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth gear shifts. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch model improved ride quality, though the large wheels sometimes made the ride busy on rough roads. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling while maximizing interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. The V6 produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 model generated 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 boasted 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Durango's steering was responsive, and the vehicle handled well, though the chassis showed its age, especially on rough roads. The SRT models featured performance pages for tracking vehicle metrics, and the R/T model with the Tow N Go Package demonstrated strong towing capabilities, handling a significant load with stability and ease.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch model featured power running boards for easy entry, and the front seats were heated and ventilated. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class comfort, and the third-row seat was spacious enough for adults on long trips. The standard-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, while the Expedition MAX provided 34.3 cubic feet. With the third row folded, cargo space increased to 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 in the MAX), and with the second row down, it expanded to 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 in the MAX).

The 2021 Dodge Durango was a versatile family hauler with seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row was more accommodating than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, providing plenty of customization. Cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. The Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, making it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, while easy to use, was slow to load and respond. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable highlights, especially for those who frequently towed trailers.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, both running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable, offering user profiles, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and OTA updates. The family entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster, while stylish, made it difficult to read the exact speed, and a head-up display would have been a useful addition.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's standard safety features were limited to a rearview camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. The Durango received a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating from NHTSA, but front crash testing ratings were not yet available.