2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 BMW X5

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 over 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 a power sunroof. The SRT trim stood out with its unique aggressive styling and performance-oriented features.

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the kidney grille to the body shape, though it risked blending in with other BMWs. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and offered different styling options, such as the xLine with satin aluminum finishes and the M Sport with body-colour matched trims. Wheel options ranged from 20 to 22 inches, depending on the trim. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it had an abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips.

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 was equipped with 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 V6 provided decent power for family hauling, while the 5.7-litre V8 offered confident acceleration. The SRT's 392 cubic inch V8 was a powerhouse, with strong low-end power and impressive handling for its size, thanks to a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes. The SRT also featured Dodge SRT performance pages for detailed engine status updates and drive mode customization.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard in Canada. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, achieving 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M took it further with 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. The hybrid's transition between power modes was seamless, though its steering dynamics were less impressive, especially at higher speeds. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the xDrive45e rated at 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres when using both electricity and gas.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided ample cargo space, with 490 litres 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 towing capacity ranged from 2,812 kilograms to 3,946 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The cabin offered plenty of 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 easy-fold seats. The driver and front passenger had access to multiple storage options, and the SRT model featured a second-row centre console with cup holders.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, with an optional third row available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate was fully powered, with a vehicle height adjustment button for easier loading. The cargo area was spacious without the third row, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was less convenient due to the limited door opening width.

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 straightforward menu layout and tablet-inspired design, with dock icons for easy navigation. The Durango came standard with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with seamless transitions between CarPlay and Uconnect screens. Higher trims included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and an Alpine premium audio system, with an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, and more. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless charger, and premium audio systems. The wireless Apple CarPlay had connectivity quirks, often taking over music operations unexpectedly.

The 2020 Dodge Durango was equipped with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were standard, with front and rear sensors on higher trims. Optional safety 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 Good ratings in other tests.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, though it had issues with timely reactions to stopped traffic and lane-keeping in certain conditions. The X5 received Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to several recalls.