2020 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Dodge Durango retained its styling from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a 2011 redesign. Its design connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, though the platform was a decade old. The Durango's cabin design was straightforward but felt dated compared to its Jeep Grand Cherokee sibling, which had received more significant updates. The Durango was in need of a refresh, which was anticipated for the 2021 model year, promising more aggressive exterior styling and a reworked cabin. The 2020 Durango offered trims like SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT, each with varying features from basic 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen in the SXT to the luxury-minded Citadel with premium leather upholstery and the performance-focused SRT with unique styling and optional racing stripes.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of its fifth generation since 2017, featured a familiar and fun design with curvy, car-like lines. It shared a family resemblance with Honda's sedan lineup, leaning more towards a station wagon look. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather clashing with low-quality plastics. The base CR-V LX trim started at $29,970 CAD, with five trim levels available, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition. The CR-V offered standard features like a retractable moonroof on higher trims and a panoramic moonroof on the Touring and Black Edition, with roof rails included on these trims as well.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines across its trims. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came standard with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, also available on the Citadel. The top-tier SRT boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The SRT trim stood out with its performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes, offering a surprising car-like handling experience for its size.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, generating 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), providing a smooth driving experience. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its lightweight design contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1. The CR-V's performance was complemented by its car-like driving dynamics, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered 490 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,351 litres with the rear seats folded, and 2,393 litres with both the second and third rows down. This was comparable to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Durango's cabin provided ample space, with comfortable front seats and a choice between a three-passenger bench or captain's chairs in the second row. The third row was more suitable for children, but access was easy thanks to large second-row doors and foldable seats. The Durango also featured multiple storage options for the driver and passengers.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. It provided good head- and legroom for both the driver and passengers, with an excellent seating position for visibility. The CR-V's cargo compartment was versatile, with a two-position load floor allowing for 1,065 litres of cargo space in the Touring and Black Edition, and 1,110 litres in other trims. Clever storage solutions, like a deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V practical for everyday use.

The 2020 Dodge Durango featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on the GT and standard on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly interface, with a tablet-inspired layout and dock icons for easy navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and premium audio systems, with the option for a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but their integration was not seamless. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring and Black Edition trims included a wireless phone charger, enhancing convenience for tech-savvy users.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came with standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and trailer sway control. Optional driver-assistance features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA and a Moderate score in IIHS driver’s side small-front overlap testing, with optional crash-prevention technology rated as Superior.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features as standard, offering forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high beams were also standard, with blind-spot monitoring available on higher trims. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights on the Touring and Black Edition improving nighttime visibility.