2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling from its third-generation debut in 2011, maintaining a muscular stance and athletic styling akin to its family members, the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw revisions, especially in the new SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior color schemes. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky flavor.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized functionality over form. The Wilderness model featured a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Forester's cabin combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, focusing on quality construction and practicality. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be cumbersome. The Wilderness trim included water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and all-weather floor mats, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The Forester's interior was designed for ease of use, with intuitive controls and a focus on functionality.

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 offered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced a staggering 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Durango's steering was precise, but the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The SRT models featured SRT Performance Pages for track days, providing detailed performance data.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. All Foresters had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. The Wilderness trim also doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg combined, and it averaged 25.9 mpg during testing. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and a Sport mode for more lively response. The Forester's dual-function X-Mode system provided improved off-road capability, and the Wilderness trim featured a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, increasing ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It could seat up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats and a more accommodating third row than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, providing plenty of choices for buyers. Cargo space was average for its class, and the fit and finish had improved significantly over the years.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit, practical features, and a focus on making life easier. The Wilderness trim included water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The Forester's roof rails were upgraded to accommodate a three-person roof tent. Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Forester's cargo area was usefully shaped, and new cargo hooks added convenience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, 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. A family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player was available on select trims. The gauge cluster had a small, half-circle analog speedometer, making it difficult to read exact speeds. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a head-up display would have enhanced usability.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, though the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2021 Dodge Durango fell short in safety compared to its rivals, 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 front crash testing ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based technology and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, with 5-star ratings in all evaluations except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 Forester, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.