2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the much-anticipated Bronco, capturing some of the rugged styling cues of its larger counterpart. It was designed as a unibody crossover, focusing more on suburban utility while still being ready for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for better off-road capability. Its design included tall fender wells and a tucked-in body to minimize snagging on trails. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with a focus on functionality, offering a range of seating and trim options from cloth to leather, and practical storage solutions.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, consistent with Dodge's family of vehicles like the Charger and Challenger. The Durango's design was updated for 2021, particularly evident in the SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and touchscreen options, enhancing its premium feel as one moved up the trim levels. The interior materials ranged from cloth to luxurious leather options, with unique stitching and seat belt colors adding a touch of flair. The Durango's dashboard updates aligned it with Dodge's muscle car aesthetic, offering a range of models to suit different preferences and needs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, while also providing a comfortable on-road experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of four engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The SRT 392 trim featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, generating an impressive 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Durango's performance was robust, with smooth acceleration and precise steering, though its chassis showed its age on rough roads. The SRT models offered track-ready features, including performance pages and configurable drive modes.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like cargo space engineered to fit two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle could tow up to 2,200 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass and optional management features like a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, with the third row providing more room than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, allowing for customization. Cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, offering a more refined interior compared to earlier models. The Durango's midsize packaging made it a versatile choice for families, balancing comfort and athletic design.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims could be equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system included various drive modes, with additional off-road features like trail control available on certain trims. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, with additional tech features enhancing convenience and off-road capability.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch screen with the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was significantly faster and offered personalization options, connected services, and wireless smartphone integration. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and responsive touch controls. The TomTom navigation system was a standout feature, providing easy-to-read graphics and quick route adjustments.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. All models included a terrain management system with built-in traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were less comprehensive, with a rearview camera as the only standard active safety feature. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available depending on the trim. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash-test ratings were pending.