2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. Its slim design, complemented by forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, demonstrated that SUVs could have a commanding presence without massive grilles. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The muscular 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, but these were subtle. The SRT models also had unique wheels and a different front fascia, maintaining a similar shape to the standard front end. Dodge expanded the color palette for 2023, adding Frostbite, Night Moves, Red Oxide, and Triple Nickel.

The interior of the Durango, while not as distinctive as the exterior, offered a pleasant environment. Lower trim levels had materials appropriate for their price points, while the R/T Plus Package included a wrapped instrument panel. The Durango Citadel added luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The SRT Hellcat test car featured bold red leather upholstery, adding a touch of flair to the interior.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its design from the second-generation model debut in 2017, with only minor changes. The design, reflecting traditional Mazda styling cues, aged well and remained modern and appealing. The test vehicle arrived in a new-for-2024 Carbon Turbo trim, featuring Zircon Sand paint and exclusive Terracotta leather seats with black artificial suede inserts. The gloss-black exterior detailing complemented the Zircon Sand color, enhancing the CX-5's appearance. Mazda also introduced a premium Rhodium White paint option for the CX-5 Carbon Turbo.

Mazda improved the fuel economy of the base engine versions, eliminated a previously available machined-finish 19-inch wheel design, and added wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to several trim levels. The CX-5 lineup included 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo models, with the S featuring a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the Turbo offering a 256-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four. All CX-5 models came with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The interior materials, seating, technology, drivetrain, and suspension upgrades over the years resulted in an upscale crossover SUV at a mainstream price.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trim levels. This engine produced 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Durango models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive on most trims. 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, providing a classic V8 rumble.

The Durango SRT 392, with its 6.4-liter naturally-aspirated Hemi V8, produced 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and a quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reducing the zero to 60 mph time to 3.5 seconds and the quarter-mile to 11.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango Hellcat felt quick, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and Brembo brakes made managing the power easy.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo, when filled with premium gas, delivered 256 hp at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. On regular gas, it provided 227 hp and 310 lb-ft, with torque arriving 500 rpm sooner. The powertrain was more rewarding with a slower, steadier acceleration, allowing revs to build before experiencing the torque. However, the fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving and an observed 22.9 mpg.

The CX-5 felt tall and narrow from the driver's seat, offering excellent outward visibility for easy maneuvering. Mazda re-tuned the suspension for a smoother ride, stiffened the frame for responsive handling, and made all-wheel drive standard. The G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced cornering while minimizing body motions. On highways, the CX-5 was quiet, and in the city, it felt firm and connected with lively handling. It was zippy and stable on twisty roads, with a decent 7.9 inches of ground clearance for off-road trails. The CX-5 could tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations. The SXT, GT, and R/T models came with two front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs, which were also optional on GT and R/T models. The Durango's interior space was comparable to other three-row midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom within a fraction of an inch of competitors like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. However, the Chevrolet Traverse offered more cargo space than the Durango, which had 17.2 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row.

The Durango provided generous small-item storage, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. Models with second-row captain's chairs had a large center console for that row. While a power liftgate was available, there was no power-folding third row, which was acceptable on lower-level models but not on the more luxurious Citadel or the six-figure Hellcat test car. The Durango had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for V6 models and up to 8,700 pounds for 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8 models.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured standard heated front seats, redesigned for comfort and support. The driver's seat offered six-way power adjustment, while passengers could manually raise the seat height. The center console sides were padded for comfort. Leather was standard on all trim levels except the base 2.5 S Select, which had artificial leather. The top-shelf 2.5 Turbo Signature had premium Nappa leather, while the 2.5 S Premium Plus and CX-5 Turbo models included a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats.

The CX-5 was among the smaller models in its segment regarding interior room, but it was comfortable for four adults. The rear seat provided good support and a proper sitting position, with soft front seatback material for comfort. Rear air conditioning vents and a center fold-down armrest with cupholders and a storage tray enhanced passenger satisfaction. The cabin design and quality elevated the CX-5 above most mass-market rivals, with good storage space, though the cupholders were somewhat awkward. The CX-5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and a maximum of 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity on SXT and GT models. The Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, using Stellantis' Uconnect infotainment system. The larger screen had the current Uconnect 5 system, while the smaller screen used the older 4C version. The Uconnect 5 system was responsive and easy to use, with added personality for SRT models, including a burnout-themed animation on startup and a racing helmet figure in the climate control menu.

The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information on the main touchscreen, such as timers, a g-force meter, and additional gauges for engine parameters. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 avoided touchscreen infotainment systems, favoring traditional switchgear for stereo volume, radio tuning, climate controls, and driving modes. However, Mazda offered a setting for touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while driving, with wireless connectivity available in several trim levels. The 10.25-inch display required minimal interaction, with a large knob on the center console for navigating Mazda Connect's menus and surrounding buttons for quick access to key pages.

Mazda Connected Services provided remote engine starting, a find my car feature, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. It also included automatic 911 dialing following a collision, provided the smartphone was paired to the Bluetooth connection. Several CX-5 versions had a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, standard in the Carbon Turbo, enhancing the SUV's premium interior.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with top "Good" marks in the original-format moderate front overlap and side tests, as well as the roof strength test. However, it received a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave the Durango 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 a three-star rating. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims, but forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were only standard on the Citadel.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trim levels offered safety-related upgrades like adaptive headlights, a traffic sign recognition system, and Traffic Jam Assist technology. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature included a driver monitoring system, surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The standard ADAS performed well, with non-intrusive lane departure and lane-keeping systems. The NHTSA gave the CX-5 five-star ratings across the board, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.