2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Jeep Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over the years since its debut, and while opinions on its short grille and swept-back headlights remained mixed, the design had grown more appealing over time. The Cherokee's appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level, with the entry-level Latitude looking quite ordinary, while the 80th Anniversary Edition boasted a more refined look with its 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, covering the entire top surface and adding to its unique presence. Despite being part of a crowded crossover SUV market, the Cherokee managed to stand out, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front.

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 new SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. 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 became more premium as one moved up the trim levels, with options for leather and suede upholstery, contrast stitching, and unique seat belt colors. The Durango's updates brought it in line with Dodge's muscle cars, offering a model for nearly every buyer with its diverse trim levels and packages.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower for the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. A more powerful 3.2-liter V-6 engine delivered 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was modest, with the V6 and turbo-four engines achieving 0 to 60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which improved fuel efficiency and performance over earlier versions. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capabilities, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in front-wheel drive, appealing to budget-conscious buyers and rental fleets.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 293 to 295 horsepower, depending on the exhaust configuration. The Durango R/T featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 360 hp, while the SRT 392 boasted a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 hp. The pinnacle of power came with the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat, producing an impressive 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Hellcat was easy to control, offering smooth acceleration and precise steering. The Durango's chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin, but its braking performance was strong, especially with the Hellcat's Brembo brakes. The Durango R/T's Tow N Go Package enhanced towing capabilities, while SRT models offered performance pages for track enthusiasts.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, placing it at the bottom of its class. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that regard. The interior was simple and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the level of luxury. The Latitude featured basic materials, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale options like suede and Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the optional third row provided more room than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, allowing buyers to customize their interior. Cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly over the years. It struck a balance between elegance and practicality, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured Stellantis' Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface and climate control accessibility. The system was available with a 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim level, and offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available, adding convenience for various climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, providing a familiar experience for buyers.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, featuring the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable, offering user profiles, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players and two 9-inch screens. The TomTom navigation system was a standout feature, providing clear graphics and quick responses. However, the analog speedometer's design made it challenging to read, and a head-up display was not available.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS not awarding it a Top Safety Pick. It earned "Good" scores in crashworthiness but had lower ratings for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. The Cherokee offered standard advanced safety features like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind competitors in safety features, offering only a rearview camera as standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, 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 testing results were pending.