2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, a hallmark of the Dodge family, with a design that had been largely unchanged since 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango stood out with its unique appearance, especially in the SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The interior of the Durango was updated with a new instrument panel and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern look and feel. Buyers had a choice of six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, along with 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes. The cabin offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to luxurious Laguna leather, with contrast stitching and Demonic Red seat belts adding a funky touch.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting Buick's traditional focus on comfort and simplicity. However, the Enclave had evolved over the years, transitioning from a sedan-heavy lineup to a full SUV range. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with exterior enhancements, including a new grille, fascias, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim featured unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row. The cargo space was generous, with power-folding third-row seats for added convenience.

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 engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The V6 produced up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 hp. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced a staggering 710 hp. The Durango's performance was impressive, with smooth acceleration and precise steering. However, the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds. The Enclave excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and QuietTuning technology. The powertrain was surprisingly responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. The Enclave's cabin remained serene, even at wide-open throttle, with a pleasant engine sound.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the optional third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, catering to various preferences. Cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly over the years.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably, with standard second-row captain's chairs for easy access to the third row. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

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 infotainment system. The system offered personalization, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a head-up display was not available.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Enclave also featured a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

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 gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.