2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a blend of elegance and ruggedness. Its blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield gave it a sleek, seductive look, while the cabin was pulled back toward the rear wheels, maintaining Mazda's signature style. The CX-50 also introduced a rugged appeal with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually offensive. The standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels enhanced its exterior appeal. Later in the model year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was set to join the lineup with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, retained its familiar yet attractive face. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. The slim styling, forward-leaning headlights, and large lower air intake gave the Durango a strong presence. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood with a functional center air inlet and heat extractors. The SRT models also had unique wheels and a different front fascia with a chin splitter, engine-oil cooler duct, and cold-air induction snorkel. The Durango offered various appearance packages, including the Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package, adding to its visual appeal.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mazda estimated this base engine would return 27 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking stronger acceleration and increased towing capacity, the 2.5 Turbo variant was available. This turbocharged engine produced between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type, with torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. Mazda predicted the 2.5 Turbo would achieve 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 23.4 mpg. The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration and a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The SUV featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, ensuring natural vehicle behavior in various conditions. The CX-50's ride quality was firm, and it handled well on both pavement and off-road terrain, with a ground clearance of up to 8.6 inches.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains. The base engine was a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, producing 293 hp (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 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 featured 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 model boasted a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Durango Hellcat provided a thrilling driving experience, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and Brembo brakes made the power easy to manage.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior. The fully equipped CX-50 2.5 Turbo featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort in various weather conditions. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy, with rear air vents and charging ports. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, making entry and exit easier. The CX-50 provided 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations. The SXT, GT, and R/T models came with a three-seat second-row bench, while the Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. The Durango provided ample headroom and legroom across all three rows, comparable to other midsize SUVs. However, the Durango's 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. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango's towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S model had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (HUD) projected essential data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models. The Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, using the Uconnect 5 system. The Uconnect system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality for SRT models, including burnout-themed animations and a racing helmet figure in the climate control menu. The SRT models also included the Performance Pages app, displaying performance information such as timers, a g-force meter, and additional gauges. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, similar to other Mazda models. It offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings. The IIHS gave it top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded 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 models 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. Forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were standard only on the Citadel and optional on other models.