2021 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it versatile enough to fit in both rugged trails and upscale environments, appealing to a diverse range of buyers. The Grand Cherokee's pricing started at $32,150 for the Laredo model and went up to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk reaching $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The Limited X model, tested at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior, especially in models priced over $50,000, was criticized for its overuse of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Dodge Durango, while sharing its production line with the Grand Cherokee, boasted a distinct muscular and athletic design, aligning it with Dodge's Charger and Challenger models. The 2021 model year introduced a revised exterior, most notably on the SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior color schemes. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather options, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a touch of flair. The Durango's design strategy offered a model for nearly every buyer, with options ranging from track-ready equipment to luxurious appointments.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing satisfactory acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, delivering a staggering 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of 4WD systems, with the Limited X model featuring the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system. While the SUV excelled off-road, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, but the Grand Cherokee's traditional SUV behavior was appreciated in a market dominated by crossovers.

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, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel, produced up to 295 hp, while the R/T featured the 5.7-liter V8 with 360 hp. The SRT 392 boasted a 475 hp engine, and the SRT Hellcat's supercharged V8 delivered 710 hp. The Durango's steering was precise, but its aging chassis showed limitations on both road and track. The Hellcat's brakes were effective, and the R/T's Tow N Go Package demonstrated impressive towing capabilities. The SRT models included Performance Pages for tracking vehicle metrics, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, while rear passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage was adequate, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the seatbacks.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space, and the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options and average cargo space for its class. Dodge's improvements in fit and finish were evident, making the Durango a versatile and comfortable choice for families.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration. While the system was user-friendly, the ride's bounciness could make touchscreen use challenging. The Limited X trim included a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, with higher trims offering a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided off-roading information, while SRT and Trackhawk models had Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's Uconnect 5 system, available on higher trims with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, was significantly faster and more customizable than its predecessor. It offered connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, and wireless smartphone integration. The system's graphics were clear, and the screen responded quickly to touch. A family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players was available, and SRT models featured unique infotainment and instrument cluster designs. The TomTom navigation system was praised for its clarity and responsiveness.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I standard on all trims, including a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were unimpressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS in certain tests.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's standard safety features were limited to a rearview camera and federally mandated equipment. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, but many competitors offered these as standard. NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash-test ratings were not available.