2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Dodge Durango

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a more refined and athletic design compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior left much to be desired. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior failed to match the luxury and quality found in competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, which had been a hallmark since its third generation debuted in 2011. The new SRT Hellcat model, with its cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and rear spoiler, exemplified this design ethos. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and exterior colors, allowing for a high degree of customization. Inside, the Durango featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The cabin materials improved with higher trim levels, offering options like leather, suede, and Nappa leather, along with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, providing a balanced and dynamic driving experience. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth and addictive power, with precise steering and remarkable cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacities ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's seven drive modes catered to various driving conditions, enhancing its versatility.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with 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 up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 horsepower. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 horsepower, and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat model boasted an impressive 710 horsepower. The Durango's steering was responsive, and the vehicle handled well in various driving conditions. However, the suspension showed its age, transmitting bumps to the cabin. The Durango's towing capacity reached up to 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package, making it a strong contender for those needing to haul heavy loads.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space and practicality. On a road trip to Maine, it provided ample room for passengers and cargo, with 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, enhancing comfort. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short trips, though the bench was too flat for long-distance comfort. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it user-friendly, though thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row provided more room than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. Dodge's improvements in fit and finish were evident, with the Durango standing out compared to earlier models like the Journey and Grand Caravan. The SUV's midsize packaging made it a versatile family hauler with an athletic design, balancing comfort and practicality.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The Premium Technology Package included features like massaging seats and a well-organized interface. However, the system lacked innovation, with limited customization options for the instrument panel and incomplete software updates. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system provided semi-automated driving assistance but was less effective than competitors' systems.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was five times faster than its predecessor, offering user profiles, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango's family entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster had a unique design for SRT models, though the analog speedometer was difficult to read. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick responses, though a head-up display would have enhanced usability.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had a passenger front knee airbag and received an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It came standard with a rearview camera and federally mandated passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The Durango received a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating from NHTSA, but IIHS ratings were not available.