2021 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover family, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, and the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad and intimidating front. The Velar's short overhangs improved its off-road capabilities, and models with optional air suspension boasted up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. Inside, the Velar's high-quality leather and metal trim created a luxurious feel, with a cockpit-like design that made drivers feel enveloped in the vehicle.

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with Dodge's family of vehicles like the Charger and Challenger. The Durango SRT Hellcat model showcased a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, emphasizing its sporty nature. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior schemes. Inside, the Durango featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. As buyers moved up the trim levels, the Durango became more premium, offering options like leather and suede upholstery. The updates to the dashboard gave it a modern appearance, and the Durango's range of models catered to diverse preferences, from track-ready equipment to luxurious appointments.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a significant performance upgrade with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its chassis felt less sharp on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 247 hp and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with up to 380 hp. The Velar also featured off-road tech like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, though its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engine options, including a 3.6-liter V6, 5.7-liter HEMI V8, 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 hp. The Durango SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp, and the SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and all-wheel drive was available. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages for track enthusiasts, and the R/T model with the Tow N Go Package demonstrated impressive towing capabilities, with a capacity of up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors, with the GLC offering more legroom and the X3 providing more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling contributed to a claustrophobic interior feel, with limited headroom and visibility. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, though the center console was easily accessible. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating and ample storage space. It could seat up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats. The optional third row was more accommodating than many rivals, with easy access. The Durango provided 21 seat options, allowing buyers to customize their interior. Cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, offering a quality feel. The Durango's midsize packaging made it a versatile choice for families, balancing athletic design with practicality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though they were prone to glare.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's technological centerpiece was the Uconnect 5 system, available on higher trim levels with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system was five times faster than its predecessor, offering user profiles, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also featured a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players and two 9-inch screens. The TomTom navigation system was a standout, providing clear graphics and quick responses. However, the analog speedometer was difficult to read, and a head-up display was not available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with a rearview camera as the only standard active safety feature. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA awarded the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash testing ratings were not available.