2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its familiar design which had been in place since 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango stood apart with its muscular and athletic stance, aligning it with the Dodge family's Charger and Challenger. For the 2021 model year, the Durango received several updates, most noticeably on the SRT Hellcat model. This flagship version boasted a cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end.

Buyers had the choice of six different 20-inch wheel designs and one 18-inch variation, with the options varying depending on the trim level. Eleven exterior colors and six interior color schemes offered considerable customization. Inside, the Durango featured an upgraded instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The cabin’s modern and luxurious feel was punctuated by various upholstery options, from cloth in lower trims to premium Laguna leather in the higher grades. Unique features like contrast stitching and Demonic Red seat belts added character.

On the other hand, the 2022 Kia Telluride capitalized on its already successful design, making only minor updates such as a tweaked grille pattern accompanied by the new Kia badges. This handsome midsize SUV enticed consumers with a muscular look and balanced proportions, offering trendy blacked-out wheels and trims. The Telluride continued to be available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with our test vehicle being the AWD SX Prestige model.

Inside, the Telluride prioritized both style and function. The cabin was upscale and thoughtfully designed with features like overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, and conveniently located USB ports. The 2022 model year introduced numerous standard features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the former 8-inch display. Higher trims offered luxurious touches like Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. Kia’s approach to an organized and luxurious interior, coupled with practical touches, made the Telluride's cabin feel premium.

The 2021 Dodge Durango presented a variety of powertrains to cater to different performance needs. There were four engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 delivering either 293 horsepower with a single exhaust or 295 horsepower with a dual exhaust; a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque for the R/T trim; a 392 HEMI V8 that delivered a robust 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque for the SRT 392 model; and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 offering an astonishing 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque for the SRT Hellcat. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option.

The Telluride, by contrast, offered a single engine throughout its trims—a 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This configuration, while commendable, limited the choices for performance enthusiasts. The Telluride’s eight-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive system with Lock mode for an even power split provided a balanced and responsive driving experience. It excelled in varying conditions, showing strong performance in snowy and muddy roads.

The Durango's ruggedness showed both its strengths and weaknesses. While its powerful engines and track-ready configurations were impressive, the SUV’s aging chassis couldn't escape notice, showcasing a less refined ride quality over uneven roads. Meanwhile, the Telluride’s ride was supple and smooth, delivering a pleasant driving experience even over long distances.

The 2021 Dodge Durango proved to be a versatile family hauler. Capable of seating up to seven with its optional third row, the Durango offered generous space in the front and second-row seats, with enough room for taller passengers. The third row, although not exceptionally spacious, was more accommodating than many competitors. Additionally, Dodge provided 21 different seating configurations to suit various needs.

Cargo space was adequate for its class. The Durango offered about 85 cubic feet of storage space once the second and third rows were folded. Awards for initial vehicle quality reflected the improved fit and finish in recent models, setting the Durango apart from its predecessors like the Dodge Journey and Grand Caravan.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in balancing style and practicality. The interior was meticulously crafted with high-quality materials, distinguishing itself with thoughtful touches like functional grab handles and overhead air vents. Standard equipment differences included dual-zone automatic climate control in the front and single-zone for the rear. The Telluride could comfortably accommodate adults in all three rows, with a brilliantly designed one-touch sliding mechanism for the second row to ease third-row access.

In terms of cargo space, the Telluride offered 21 cubic feet with all seats up, 46 cubic feet with the third row down, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rows folded, making it an excellent choice for accommodating large loads with ease.

For 2021, the Dodge Durango impressed with its new Uconnect 5 system, available with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in higher trims. This system was notably faster than the previous Uconnect 4, supporting user profiles, multiple Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player was available, enhancing the Durango's appeal for road trips.

Kia elevated the 2022 Telluride’s standard technology with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation and voice recognition technology. However, this upgrade removed the previously standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Essential family-friendly features included multiple USB charging ports, a wireless charging pad, Quiet Mode to limit audio to the front speakers, Driver Talk for easy communication with rear passengers, and the Kia Connect system for connected services.

Our Telluride SX test model also featured an impressive 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a comprehensive head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged in standard safety features compared to its rivals. Basic safety equipment included a rearview camera and mandatory airbags and stability control. Optional features—depending on the trim—were adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, and parking sensors. NHTSA awarded the Durango a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating, while IIHS ratings were not fully available.

NHTSA awarded the Telluride a five-star overall rating, despite four-star ratings in frontal-impact protection. IIHS gave the Telluride a “Top Safety Pick” designation, just missing the highest "Top Safety Pick+" due to headlight performance.