2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, making it almost indistinguishable from the Pilot. Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout mirrored that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced navigation systems.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, which had been slightly revised for the 2021 model year. The Durango SRT Hellcat model, in particular, stood out with its cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and exterior colors, along with a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior became increasingly premium with higher trims, offering materials like leather and suede, and unique features like Demonic Red-colored seat belts.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management for AWD models. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

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 up to 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, especially on rough roads. The Durango R/T with the Tow N Go Package could tow up to 8,700 pounds, and SRT models featured SRT Performance Pages for track days.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep bin and open cargo tray. The rear seats provided ample headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with 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. The optional third row was more spacious than many competitors, and access was easy. The Durango offered 21 seat options, and its cargo space was average for its class. The fit and finish had improved significantly, making it a more refined choice compared to earlier models.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with higher trims getting a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor and offered user profiles, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch controls. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster, however, made it difficult to read the exact speed due to its design.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well-equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, though it had "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind in safety, offering only a rearview camera as standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, 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 IIHS had not yet rated the 2021 Durango.