2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Dodge Durango

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its timeless design, featuring circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Its rugged appearance, reminiscent of a toy truck for adults, was unmistakable on the road. The Wrangler offered various trim levels, each with unique styling options like painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops, yet all retained the core elements that defined the Wrangler's identity. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized function over comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments, appealing to drivers who valued its charm over convenience.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango showcased a muscular and athletic design, aligning with its Dodge family counterparts like the Charger and Challenger. The Durango's exterior styling remained largely unchanged since 2011, but the 2021 model introduced a revised look, particularly evident in the SRT Hellcat model with its cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a range of wheel options and exterior colors, allowing for personalization. Inside, the Durango's cabin featured a modern instrument panel and a choice of touchscreens, with higher trims offering premium materials and sophisticated finishes.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by three 4WD systems, with the Rubicon trim featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine choices, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of the lineup was the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Hellcat maintained smooth acceleration and precise steering. The Durango's chassis showed its age, with a reactive suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. However, the Hellcat's Brembo brakes provided ample stopping power, even on the track.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, combining a hardtop appearance with a retractable canvas roof. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with limited storage but practical features like drain plugs for easy cleaning. Cargo space was 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit larger items.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options, catering to diverse preferences. Cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, reflecting Dodge's commitment to quality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's technology offerings included a basic 5-inch screen on the Sport trim, with larger 7-inch and 8.4-inch Uconnect screens available on higher trims. These screens featured crisp graphics and intuitive controls, complemented by steering wheel radio toggles. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was five times faster than its predecessor, offering personalization, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players and high-resolution screens. The TomTom navigation system provided clear graphics and responsive performance, though a head-up display would enhance usability.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with modern driver-assistance technologies like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control available only as options. The Wrangler included a backup camera and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading, but lacked standard advanced safety features found in many competitors.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety offerings were also limited, with a rearview camera as the only standard active safety feature. 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.