2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

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. The Durango's slim design, complemented by forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, demonstrated that SUVs could have a commanding presence without resorting to massive grilles. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle 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 interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, offered a pleasant environment with materials appropriate for lower trim levels and more luxurious features in higher trims.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a fresher design. It was 1.4 inches lower, 3 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer than the CX-5, with a 4.6-inch wheelbase stretch. The broad-shouldered proportions were emphasized by square wheel arches and fake air vents below the headlights and taillights. Available in eight trim levels, the CX-50 offered a variety of styling options, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition enhancing its active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and more pronounced rocker-panel trim. The interior design was pleasing, with an infotainment screen on a little shelf and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, the CX-50 didn't fully meet Mazda's upscale aspirations, with standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models.

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. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional on most trims. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's acceleration was exhilarating, though its size made it somewhat awkward on twisty roads.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane gasoline. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. Turbo models also included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires provided limited grip and higher noise levels, with the roof platform adding wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with two front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench standard 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, though cargo space was less than some rivals, offering 17.2 cubic feet with all rows 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. Towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom in both rows. It had 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While the CX-50 trailed competitors in cargo space, it offered a power liftgate for easier access. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage space, despite a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the center console. The Meridian Edition's rugged looks weren't matched by interior functionality, with the cargo area not ideal for dirty or bulky items.

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 had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen getting the current Uconnect 5 version. The SRT models included the Performance Pages app, offering performance information like timers and a g-force meter. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The interface, while different from most cars, was easy to use once acclimated. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, but it suited buyers who preferred simplicity.

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. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims, but other features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were only standard on the Citadel.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for front-crash prevention in the vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime test. The NHTSA gave it a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover crash-test rating. Mazda offered comprehensive standard driver-assist tech, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. Optional features included rear automatic braking and a 360-degree camera system.