2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. It retained the same basic body shell from a decade ago, with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights added over the years. The 2021 model didn’t see any new styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn’t quite match modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall feel was dated.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, fitting in well with Dodge’s family of vehicles. The new SRT Hellcat model showcased a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The Durango offered six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, with 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes. Inside, the Durango featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The cabin became increasingly premium as you moved up the trim levels, with options for leather, suede, Nappa leather, and Laguna leather upholstery.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers challenging, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system, and several driver aids. It had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and offered an optional Off-Road Package for enhanced off-road performance.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four different engines: 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 293-295 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 V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. The Durango’s performance was impressive, with smooth acceleration and responsive steering. However, the suspension showed its age, and the chassis struggled on both road and track. The Durango R/T with the Tow N Go Package had a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, and the SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages for track-ready performance data.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics revealed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, with comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It offered seating for five in two rows, with the option to seat up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row was more accommodating than many competitors. The Durango had a good amount of cargo space, about average for its class. Dodge offered 21 seat options, allowing buyers to customize their interior. The Durango’s fit and finish had improved significantly, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity as standard. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system was outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. The touchscreen interface was primitive, but Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric systems.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT models, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The larger screen ran the new Uconnect 5 system, which was five times faster than the previous version and offered greater personalization. The system included connected services, two Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster had some readability issues, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2021 Dodge Durango fell short in safety compared to its rivals. It came standard with a rearview camera and passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features included 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. 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.