2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling since its third generation debuted in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango stood out with its muscular stance and athletic styling, especially evident in the new SRT Hellcat model. This model featured a cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a distinct front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and exterior colors, along with a modernized cabin featuring a new instrument panel and Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior ranged from cloth upholstery in lower trims to luxurious leather options in higher trims, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky flavor.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. The Terrain offered more affordable SLE and SLT trims with standard FWD, while the Denali trim added luxury. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not meet high expectations, with some design choices like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray falling short.

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 produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 model generated 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat model boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension that passed bumps to the cabin. The Hellcat's brakes performed well even under track conditions, and the R/T model with the Tow N Go Package handled towing with stability and ease.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and towing capacity, was discontinued. The 1.5-liter engine required careful management of its torque band for optimal performance, and the nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in the torque band. The Terrain's AWD mode mitigated torque steer issues present in FWD mode. The AT4 model's 17-inch wheels and 7.9 inches of ground clearance provided a decent ride on pavement but struggled off-road. The Terrain's handling was dull, with numb steering and brakes, but it met fuel economy expectations with an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It offered seating for up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats and a more accommodating third row than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, and its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years, earning awards for initial vehicle quality.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. Our AT4 model included power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered proper support and plenty of legroom, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with the larger screen running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more personalized than its predecessor, offering connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players and high-resolution screens. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly and responsive, though the lack of a head-up display was a drawback.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. Our test vehicle had the larger screen with the Infotainment Package II, which added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly accurate, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features, with only a rearview camera as standard. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash testing ratings were not available.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, though it received a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.