Dodge Durango vs Buick Envision

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, was sold in China and North America. The 2021 model was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more planted appearance with premium crossover styling. It featured three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir grade added several upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels. The interior of the Avenir models was enhanced with unique trim patterns, leather-appointed seating, and a head-up display (HUD). All Envisions came with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, along with a welcome lighting animation. The cabin design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls, angled toward the driver. However, the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust, detracting from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling from its third generation, which debuted in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango maintained a muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with its Dodge family members, the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw revisions, particularly in the new Durango SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a different front end. The Durango offered six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, with 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes available. The cabin featured a new-for-2021 instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running FCA’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Durango's interior became increasingly premium and sophisticated as one moved up the trim levels, with options for leather, suede, Nappa leather, and Laguna leather upholstery. The updates to the dashboard gave the Durango a modern appearance, aligning it with the Charger and Challenger muscle cars. The Durango offered a variety of grades, catering to different buyer preferences, from track-ready equipment to fine appointments and unique packaging.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine. This engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque in the 2020 model. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the weight savings did not compensate for the power loss. The Envision offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The 2021 Envision FWD achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while AWD versions fared slightly worse with 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but not particularly engaging, with noticeable engine and road noise. The typical GM drive mode selector allowed for a Sport mode, which changed the revs but did not significantly enhance the driving experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four different engines: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) optional. The V6 engine, standard in the Durango SXT, GT, and Citadel, produced 293 horsepower (single exhaust) or 295 horsepower (dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Durango R/T came with a 5.7-liter V8 making 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The Durango SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Durango SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, and the vehicle felt connected to the driver. However, the chassis showed its age, with the suspension allowing bumps to be felt in the cabin. The Durango SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages, providing information on vehicle performance, including gauges for g-force, timers, and engine readouts. The Durango R/T with the Tow N Go Package demonstrated stable towing capabilities, with a quoted towing capacity of 8,700 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not significantly improve cabin functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, the 2021 model had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. The Envision's cargo capacity was also reduced, with 25.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The driver-centric cockpit design limited the front seat passenger's access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. Small-item storage was relatively good, and the Envision offered standard features like heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, forward visibility was not great, and shorter drivers had difficulty seeing beyond the cowling between the hood and the windscreen.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. The Durango could seat up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats. The optional third row was more spacious than many competitors, with easy access. The Durango offered 21 seat options, providing plenty of choices for buyers. Cargo space was about average for its class, functioning as advertised. The Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, standing out compared to earlier models like the Dodge Journey and Grand Caravan minivan.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech was not particularly advanced, but it featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen that was responsive and cleanly displayed necessary functionalities. The driver could see station and song title information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display than on the infotainment screen. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, a surround-view camera, a rearview camera mirror, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT models, with higher trims getting a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than the previous system and offered greater personalization, connected services, Amazon Alexa connectivity, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two high-resolution 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster made it difficult to differentiate the exact speed of travel, but the TomTom navigation system was a clear winner, with easy-to-read graphics and quick response to changes.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. The Envision did not have GM’s Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assist system or lane-centering technology.

The 2021 Dodge Durango fell short in safety compared to its rivals. It came standard with a rearview camera as its only active safety feature, along with passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Depending on the trim level or package, buyers could add adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash testing ratings were not yet available.