2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. Despite its third-generation design dating back to 2011, the Durango received updates for 2021, particularly evident in the SRT Hellcat model. This version featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive appearance. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior schemes. Inside, the cabin was modernized with a new instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors, providing a personalized touch.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator distinguished itself from its Ford Expedition roots with a unique design and luxurious feel. Its elegant and understated theme was evident despite its large size, featuring rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and subtle chrome accents. The Navigator's interior impressed with seven color palettes and high-quality materials, including layered wood trim and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and leather options. The Perfect Position seats provided exceptional comfort with 30 adjustable settings. While the Navigator's ride wasn't as refined as some competitors, its powerful twin-turbo V6 engine and plush highway performance made it a compelling choice for those seeking refinement and power.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft, while the 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 model provided 475 hp and 470 lb-ft. The pinnacle was the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat, generating a staggering 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and the Durango offered both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The Durango's performance was impressive, with smooth acceleration and precise steering, though its chassis showed its age on rough roads. The SRT models featured performance pages for track enthusiasts, and the R/T model offered a Tow N Go Package with a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single engine option, a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator offered both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations, with a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds for RWD models. While the Navigator's fuel economy was not its strong suit, its adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride on highways. However, the suspension felt less refined on rough surfaces compared to some competitors. The Navigator's steering and brakes lacked the precision of rivals, but its overall refinement and power made it a strong contender for those prioritizing highway comfort.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with its midsize packaging, offering seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space for taller occupants, while the optional third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango offered 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 over the years, making it a reliable choice for families.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional second-row bench. The boxy design allowed for generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103 cubic feet in total. The Navigator L variant offered even more storage capacity. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator's front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage functions. While the second-row seats lacked some features found in competitors, the Navigator's large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims, running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. This system was significantly faster than its predecessor and offered features like user profiles, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. While the gauge cluster had some readability issues, the TomTom navigation system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt outdated compared to newer competitors, lacking features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive, and voice recognition was accurate. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming. While the technology wasn't cutting-edge, the Navigator's simplicity was a welcome contrast to more complex systems.

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 results were pending.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional inflatable rear seat belts added an extra layer of safety. While the Navigator's safety features were comprehensive, it lacked some advanced driver assistance capabilities found in competitors.