2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Dodge Durango entered its 12th model year with a familiar yet attractive design. It maintained a clean, almost car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. The Durango's slim styling was complemented by forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, giving it a strong presence without the need for a massive grille. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood with a functional center air inlet and heat extractors, along with unique wheels and a different front fascia. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional styling options, while the interior, though less distinctive, offered a pleasant environment with materials suited to various price points.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design. It retained certain Genesis styling features, such as split headlights and a large shield-like grille, for brand recognition. The GV70 was sleeker than its larger sibling, the GV80, and avoided the excessive quirkiness of the smaller GV60. It featured standout details like an almost hatchback-like rear window profile and large round exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury-car style, offering a more refined appearance compared to competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as the gasoline models, with a shiny grille housing the charge port. Inside, the GV70 boasted a distinctive interior with traditional luxury touches and unique design elements, such as an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary controller for the infotainment system.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trim levels. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the Durango R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The Durango SRT 392 featured a 6.4-liter naturally-aspirated Hemi V8, producing 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The Durango SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds, and adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and Brembo brakes ensuring power was manageable.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. A 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was also available, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered vigorous straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiest rivals. The suspension tended to crash on bumps, and the ride quality was average for its class. The Electrified GV70 offered adjustable regenerative braking and a 236-mile range, providing a competent driving experience without feeling more ungainly than the gasoline version.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom comparable to rivals like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. However, the Durango offered less cargo space, with 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It provided a fraction more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes, and slightly less than the Audi. The GV70's cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats in place, better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi. Folding the rear seats provided 56.9 cubic feet, less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing occupant security during spirited driving.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. Both versions used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen getting the current Uconnect 5 system. The infotainment experience was comparable to more recently redesigned rivals, with responsive and easy-to-use features. The SRT models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information on the main touchscreen. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 came standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trim levels featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were also available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller on the center console provided an alternative control method. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for individual driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD versions received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models got three stars. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims, but forward collision warning and other features only standard on the Citadel.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were incomplete, but the 2023 GV70 received a five-star overall safety rating. All GV70 models came with standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.