2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, maintaining the brand's signature design elements. Its exterior featured the iconic kidney grille and adaptive LED headlights, ensuring it was unmistakably a BMW. The SUV's M Sport styling added a sporty flair with body-color matched trims and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, utilizing parts familiar across the brand's lineup. While the interior was not groundbreaking, it offered a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though the abundance of black plastic was prone to collecting dust. The M Sport models boasted unique interior touches, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango retained its muscular and athletic styling, aligning with Dodge's family of vehicles. The Durango SRT Hellcat model showcased a bold design with a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The SUV offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colors, allowing for personalization. Inside, the Durango featured a new instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belts. The Durango's dashboard updates gave it a modern look, and the variety of trims catered to different preferences, from track-ready to luxurious.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrains, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M offered even more power with 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offered up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were less engaging than expected, with dynamics more akin to a Lincoln. The SUV's cabin was quiet, and its suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the X5 was convenient, and it achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Dodge Durango provided four engine options, all with eight-speed automatic transmissions. The base V6 engine produced 293 or 295 horsepower, depending on the exhaust configuration. The Durango R/T featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model boasted a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat model housed a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The SRT models offered impressive stopping power with Brembo brakes. The Durango R/T's Tow N Go Package provided a stable towing experience, and the SRT Performance Pages offered detailed performance data.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard on longer journeys. The rear seats were spacious for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality facilitated loading cargo. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

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 competitors, with easy access. The Durango provided 21 seat options, allowing for customization. Its 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 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, USB ports, navigation, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, massaging seats, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with higher trims receiving a 10.1-inch screen running the Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more personalized than its predecessor, offering connected services, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, and wireless smartphone integration. The family entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with dual screens. The gauge cluster's design made it challenging to read the speedometer, but the TomTom navigation system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, particularly in bright sunlight or rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's standard safety features were limited to a rearview camera and federally mandated equipment. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Durango received a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, but its front crash testing ratings were not yet available.