2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a testament to Ford's consistent design philosophy, echoing a family resemblance across its SUV lineup. Its exterior was sleek and sporty, with a raked beltline and distinctive grille options that varied by trim level. The Explorer offered six trims, each enhancing the vehicle's aesthetic and comfort features as the price increased. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that maximized storage space. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering improved equipment and finishes.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. The Durango's design was updated for 2021, especially evident in the SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colors. Inside, the Durango's cabin was modernized with a new instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with unique stitching and seat belt color options. The Durango's design strategy catered to a wide range of buyers, offering models with track-ready equipment and luxurious appointments.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was equipped with a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight of 4,345 pounds, the Explorer managed to deliver competitive performance. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim boasted 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 295 horsepower. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter V8 engine delivering 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 trim featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat model was powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, producing an impressive 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's towing capacity reached up to 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package. The SUV's performance was complemented by smooth shifts and responsive steering, although its chassis showed signs of aging.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in its base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive within its class. The Explorer's cargo space was notable, with 21 cubic feet available even with the third row in use, and a total of 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The third row was more accessible and spacious than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, allowing for significant customization. Its cargo space was average for its class, but the overall fit and finish had improved significantly over previous models.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 10.1-inch screen available on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was significantly faster and offered features like user profiles, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The TomTom navigation system was praised for its clarity and responsiveness.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. Additional driver-assistance features were available in higher trims.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were less comprehensive, with a rearview camera as the only standard active safety feature. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA awarded the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash-test ratings were not available.