2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its distinctive look. The Highlander managed to appear longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim level introduced a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia, although it didn't transform the Highlander into a sports car.

Inside, the Limited trim of the Highlander shone with near-flawless fit and finish. The tan leather seats, dark brown trim, and wood details (even if not real) created a luxurious feel. The steering wheel was comfortable to hold, and there were no squeaks or rattles. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, making it a strong contender for families prioritizing these aspects over sportiness.

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained its muscular stance and athletic styling, which had been revised for the model year. The new SRT Hellcat model featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a different front end. Six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version were available, along with 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes. The Durango's cabin boasted a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system.

The Durango's interior offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to Laguna leather, with contrast stitching and Demonic Red-colored seat belts adding a funky flavor. The updates to the dashboard gave it a modern appearance, aligning it with the Charger and Challenger muscle cars. The Durango's variety of grades catered to different needs, from track-ready equipment to fine appointments, making it a versatile choice in the SUV market.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for drag races, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, enhancing driving excitement without turning it into a track beast.

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. 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 HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension that passed bumps to the cabin. The SRT models featured SRT Performance Pages for track days, providing information on vehicle performance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storing large cell phones, with a pass-through for charging cords. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, and the seats could move forward and backward to balance space between the middle and third rows. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, blowing straight down on passengers' heads. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Dodge Durango provided comfortable seating and good storage space. It could seat up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats. The third row was more spacious than many competitors, making it suitable for taller passengers. The Durango offered 21 seat options, allowing buyers to customize their interior. The cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. The Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, standing out compared to earlier models.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while the Limited trim offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen as an option. The Platinum trim featured the larger screen as standard. Both systems were user-friendly, but the navigation system struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright, crisp, and fast, but only certain apps utilized the full width. The JBL audio system sounded good but not overly impressive.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with higher trims getting a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor and offered greater personalization, connected services, Amazon Alexa connectivity, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the exact speed, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Highlander five out of five stars, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick+.

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. 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. 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.