2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Lexus GX

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 look, aligning more with Dodge's muscular family members like the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model, especially the SRT Hellcat, showcased 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 featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running FCA’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The cabin's materials ranged from cloth to various leather options, with contrast stitching and unique seat belts adding a funky flavor. The updates brought the Durango's dashboard in line with Dodge's muscle cars, offering a model for nearly everyone with a variety of grades and unique packaging.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. Despite its new Black Line treatment, the GX quickly accumulated dust, making it look drab and old. The GX's design, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002, appeared dated despite the signature Lexus spindle grille, running lights, and triple-beam LED headlights. Inside, the cabin maintained Lexus's legendary quality, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere. The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

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. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The V6, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel, produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T came with a 5.7-liter V8 making 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, while 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, offering smooth acceleration and controlled power. The Durango's steering was responsive, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension on rural roads and tech fighting the vehicle’s architecture on the track. The Hellcat's black Brembo six-piston brakes provided ample stopping power. The R/T's Tow N Go Package allowed for a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, with stable performance thanks to the "Tow" drive mode's 50/50 AWD torque distribution. SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages for configurable drive modes and performance information.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed for a 7.8-second run to 60 mph and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The GX's 4WD system sent 40 percent of power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear in normal conditions. The SUV's high drag coefficient of 0.35, combined with its V8 engine and 4WD system, resulted in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved wheel articulation off-road and reduced body motions on pavement, making the GX stable and secure. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the driving experience. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, skid plates, improved drivetrain cooling, and monitoring cameras.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It offered seating for five in two rows, expandable to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided enough room for taller passengers, and the third row was more spacious than many competitors, with easy access. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as advertised. Dodge's improved fit and finish since the early 2010s contributed to the Durango's appeal, standing out from earlier models like the Journey and Grand Caravan.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various environments, though the slow steering required extra effort. The test vehicle's seats were comfortable, with padding in appropriate places. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, with heated and ventilated front seats, heated back seats, and triple-zone automatic climate control. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry tricky. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, with limited rear crush space. The third-row seat also reduced cargo space, and the side-swinging tailgate made loading difficult. The GX offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT, with higher trims getting a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor, offering user profiles, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and OTA updates via a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. A family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens was available on select models. SRT models featured unique appearance elements, including a "smoke show" start-up animation and serpentine font. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a head-up display would enhance usability.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, and a CD player. The Lexus app, smartwatch compatibility, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot, were also available. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was optional. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view for navigation and radio, with excellent voice recognition technology. The GX's new system was preferred over the next-generation Lexus infotainment system in the 2022 NX. Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras were standard or available, but other advanced technologies were limited.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety, with a rearview camera as its only standard active safety feature. Optional 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 IIHS ratings were not available.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally unchanged for 13 years, lacked crash-test ratings. Standard Lexus Safety System+ included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services were also standard. However, the GX lacked advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving systems. The absence of these features might appeal to some buyers, but others would need to look elsewhere for more advanced safety tech.