2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding more character while retaining recognizable Volvo features. Unlike Lexus, which opted for a radical styling revamp, Volvo kept its traditional boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The details made the difference, with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models, making it a car-based crossover.

Inside, the XC90 embraced “Swedish minimalism” with nice-looking materials and thoughtfully arranged features. The matte-finish wood trim had a natural appearance, and the wool upholstery option was unique. The Orrefors crystal shifter in the test car added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, fitting in with Dodge's family of vehicles. The new 2021 Durango SRT Hellcat model featured a cold-air scoop, throaty 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, with 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes to choose from.

The Durango’s cabin featured a new-for-2021 instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running FCA’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Moving up through the trim levels, the Durango became increasingly more premium and sophisticated. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower-level models, while leather, suede, Nappa leather, and Laguna leather were options as you moved up the grades. The updates to the Durango’s dashboard gave it a modern appearance, aligning it with the Charger and Challenger muscle cars.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, upping output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the 400 hp, the XC90 struggled to accelerate away from stops on electric power alone, often requiring the gasoline engine to assist. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only usable at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and provided a quiet cabin. Most XC90 models had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engines: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional (mandatory on certain models). The V6 produced 293 hp (single exhaust) or 295 hp (dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter V8 in the Durango R/T made 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 in the Durango SRT 392 delivered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the Durango SRT Hellcat produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque.

The Durango's steering was on-point, and the SUV was comfortable in city traffic and on the highway. However, the chassis showed its age, with the suspension allowing bumps to be passed on to the cabin. The Durango R/T with the Tow N Go Package had a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, and the V8 engine handled the load well. The Durango SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages, providing information on vehicle performance, including gauges for g-force, timers, and engine readouts.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being about average for the segment. The third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats in both the third and second rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, giving the interior a more spacious feel. The XC90 offered standard four-zone climate control and an optional filtration system. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered comfortable seating, good storage space, and family entertainment options. It came standard with seating for five in two rows and could seat up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, with enough room for taller drivers and passengers. The optional third row was more spacious than many other models' third rows and was easy to access. The Durango had about average cargo space for its class, and its fit and finish had improved significantly. Dodge offered 21 seat options, giving buyers plenty of choices.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, but the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT, while higher trim levels got a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than the old system and offered greater personalization, connected services, two Bluetooth connections, 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 made it difficult to differentiate the exact speed of travel, and a HUD was not available.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered more standard safety features than most competitors, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid.

The 2021 Dodge Durango 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. The IIHS crash-test ratings were not yet available for the 2021 Durango.