2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Hyundai Palisade

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 maintained a distinct muscular stance and athletic styling, especially evident in the 2021 SRT Hellcat model. This model featured a cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end. The Durango offered six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, with 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes. Inside, the 2021 model introduced a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior ranged from cloth upholstery in lower trims to leather, suede, Nappa leather, and Laguna leather in higher trims, with various contrast stitching options and Demonic Red-colored seat belts.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV in 2020, replaced the Santa Fe XL. It featured an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's designs. The Palisade's distinctive lines, prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches added visual interest, while a continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate gave the impression of a floating rear roof. LED headlights, running lights, and taillights provided a signature look. Inside, the Palisade offered a horizontally arrayed screen (8 inches in SE and SEL models; 10.25 inches in Limited and Calligraphy models) and high-quality materials throughout. The second row featured either a bench seat or captain's chairs, and the third row was spacious enough for adults on short rides. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four different engines: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with three different versions for the various engines. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional or mandatory on certain models. The V6 engine, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel, produced 293 horsepower (single exhaust) or 295 horsepower (dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T model came with a 5.7-liter V8 making 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 produced 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 allowed bumps to be felt in the cabin. The SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages for detailed performance information.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 gasoline engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a baritone rumble and no turbo lag. The Palisade's EPA estimates were 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. The Palisade handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. The SEL Convenience trim and above included a self-leveling suspension system. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes or up to 1,650 pounds without.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It wasn't as elegant as some competitors but struck a balance with its midsize packaging and athletic design. The Durango came standard with seating for five in two rows, with an optional third row increasing capacity to seven. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row was more accommodating than many rivals. The Durango offered 21 seat options and had average cargo space for its class. The fit and finish had improved significantly, making it a solid choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade provided comfortable seating throughout the cabin, with easy access to the third row and ample legroom and headroom in the second row. The front row featured extensive storage options, including two compartments in the center console and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space, and roof rails could hold up to 220 pounds of cargo. The Palisade's gear selector used a compact shift-by-wire setup, and the controls were logically arranged. The Limited and Calligraphy trims offered luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT models, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The larger screen ran the new Uconnect 5 system, which was five times faster than the previous version and offered greater personalization, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch controls. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster had some readability issues, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models had a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade had multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Limited and Calligraphy models also featured a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system was standard on upper trims and optional on SEL, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It came standard with a rearview camera and passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, 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 yet available.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.