2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior compared to its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, enhancing its modern appeal. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of flair to the otherwise understated design. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon rather than a typical SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango showcased a muscular and athletic design, aligning with its Charger and Challenger siblings. The Durango SRT Hellcat model, in particular, featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps, highlighting its aggressive stance. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and exterior colors, allowing for personalization. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and touchscreen options, enhancing its modernity. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky touch. The Durango's design strategy catered to a wide range of preferences, offering models with track-ready equipment and fine appointments.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was defined by its two engine options. The base model's 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. However, the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine available in the XT trims delivered a significant improvement, offering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it more capable of keeping up with traffic. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with its high ground clearance and long-travel springs providing a smooth ride on rough roads. Subaru's renowned all-wheel-drive system ensured excellent off-road capability, with features like X-Mode optimizing performance in challenging conditions.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with the 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 295 horsepower. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 in the R/T trim delivered 360 horsepower, while the SRT 392's 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 horsepower. The pinnacle of performance was the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat, boasting 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Durango maintained smooth acceleration and precise steering. The Durango's suspension, however, revealed its age, transmitting bumps to the cabin. The Durango's towing capacity was impressive, with the R/T model capable of towing up to 8,700 pounds, aided by the Tow N Go Package.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled in interior space, offering 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility thanks to thin pillars and large windows. Storage solutions were abundant, with large map pockets and bottle holders in each door. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Dodge Durango was a versatile family hauler, seating up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, while the optional third row offered more room than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. Dodge's improvements in fit and finish were evident, elevating the Durango above previous models like the Journey and Grand Caravan. The Durango's midsize packaging allowed it to balance family-friendly features with an athletic design.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional navigation offering a more modern look. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured the new Uconnect 5 system on higher trims, offering a faster and more personalized experience. The system supported multiple Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional family entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with dual screens. The Durango's instrument cluster, while visually appealing, made it challenging to accurately gauge speed. The TomTom navigation system was a highlight, providing clear and responsive guidance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims, while rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were optional. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating from the latter.

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 Durango received a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, but front crash test ratings were pending.