2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh for a more rugged look and a 2020 Black Edition for a blacked-out appearance, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where AWD was standard. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, had a window sticker of $51,435, including destination charges.

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained its muscular stance and athletic styling, with a significant update for the 2021 model year. The new SRT Hellcat model featured a cold-air scoop, 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. The cabin featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior ranged from cloth upholstery on lower trims to leather and suede options on higher trims, with contrast stitching and Demonic Red-colored seat belts adding a unique touch. The updated dashboard aligned the Durango with Dodge's muscle cars, offering a model for nearly every buyer.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and refined, providing quick acceleration. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot included Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. Fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start helped achieve an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models, with a test average of 21.5 mpg. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. However, the Pilot's off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

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 produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T trim delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 trim offered 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth and controlled power. The Durango's steering was responsive, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Hellcat's Brembo brakes provided strong stopping power, even on the track. The R/T trim with the Tow N Go Package demonstrated stable towing capabilities, with a maximum capacity of 8,700 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample room for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly the same comfort as the front seats and sliding forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation on higher trims. Cargo space measured 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet maximum.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage, and family entertainment options. It seated five in two rows, with an optional third row increasing capacity to seven. The front and second-row seats were spacious, accommodating taller passengers, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors and easy to access. The Durango offered 21 seat options, providing plenty of choices for buyers. Cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. Dodge's improved fit and finish since the early 2010s made the Durango stand out compared to older models like the Journey and Grand Caravan.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. Voice recognition required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to communicate with rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came standard with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor and offered greater personalization, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates via a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch controls. A family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens was available on higher trims. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the exact speed, but the TomTom navigation system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing worked but lacked refinement. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It came standard with a rearview camera and passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Depending on the trim level or package, buyers could add 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. Many competitors offered these features as standard. The Durango received a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, but front crash testing ratings were not yet available.