2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence at over 16 feet long. Standard 19-inch wheels were available, but the Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy shape, contributing to its elegant look, especially in the matte Brunswick Green paint. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, while the dash featured thin horizontal air vents. The center console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, and the unique two-spoke steering wheel added a distinctive touch. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor drawback in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained an attractive and familiar appearance. Its clean, car-like styling avoided oversized grilles, with slim styling and forward-leaning headlights creating a strong presence. The signature "racetrack" taillights added a distinctive touch at the rear. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional styling options. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable environment with materials suited to various trim levels. The Durango Citadel added luxury features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats, while the SRT Hellcat test car featured bold red leather upholstery.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered all-wheel drive with a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery and shifts were smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable ride.

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. 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 featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's size did not diminish the acceleration experience, and the adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes made the power manageable.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered luxury features such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front and rear seats. The Ergo Motion driver’s seat provided fatigue-reducing adjustments. Nappa leather seats added to the sumptuous interior. A third row was available, though legroom was limited to 30 inches. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key. The tri-zone climate control system and optional 21-speaker stereo system enhanced comfort and entertainment. The GV80 boasted 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with seats folded, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was comparable to other three-row midsize SUVs, though cargo space was less than some competitors, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango provided ample small-item storage, a wireless charging pad, and USB ports. Towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, though its placement made it slightly difficult to reach. The infotainment system included a dial with a "clicky" feel and handwriting detection. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, they were not wireless. The GV80 offered wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist allowed for maneuvering in tight spaces without the driver in the car.

The 2023 Dodge Durango SXT and GT models featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, while the Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Uconnect infotainment system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality for SRT models. The SRT models included performance information on the main touchscreen, such as timers and a g-force meter. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. A standout feature was the video feed of the car's blind spot displayed in the digital gauge cluster. The Highway Drive Assist system provided hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways, with features like automatic lane changes and speed adjustments. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash and four stars for rollover and frontal crash. The IIHS rated the GV80 "Good" in most categories, with "Acceptable" ratings for the headlights and LATCH system.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with "Good" marks in moderate front overlap, side, and roof strength tests. The NHTSA awarded the Durango a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test, four stars in the frontal crash test, and three stars in the rollover test for AWD models. Standard driver-assist features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while forward collision warning and other advanced features were only standard on the Citadel trim and unavailable on the base SXT model.