2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It avoided the trend of oversized grilles, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim lines and forward-leaning headlights. The rear featured Dodge’s signature “racetrack” taillights, giving it a distinctive look. The SRT models, including the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat, had subtle unique styling features like a Viper-like hood and unique wheels, with options for a Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a true crossover with a spacious interior. It was larger than its rivals, with a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase. Its design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from Softex synthetic leather to real leather, and features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and heated front seats.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T, delivered 360 hp. The SRT 392 featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 710 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's performance was impressive, with adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes enhancing control.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 hp, a 2.5-liter hybrid with 245 hp, and the Hybrid Max with 362 hp. The Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration with a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander’s size made it less maneuverable, but it offered solid brakes and adequate acceleration. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for AWD models.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in six- or seven-seat configurations, with interior space comparable to other midsize SUVs. It offered 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 85.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Durango excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 8,700 pounds for V8 models.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its competitors, offering 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo space. It provided 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Grand Highlander was spacious and comfortable, with ample room in all rows, making it a great option for families.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect infotainment. The larger screen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with performance-focused features in SRT models. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via subscription. The Limited and Platinum trims included an 11-speaker JBL stereo, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. It offered limited standard driver-assist features, with more available on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested but included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite featured automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control, providing comprehensive safety features.