2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Dodge Durango carried its styling over from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a complete redesign in 2011. The connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, but the Durango was based on a decade-old platform. Its cabin design was straightforward but felt somewhat dated, especially compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which shared its platform but had received more significant updates.

Trims for the 2020 Durango included SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT. The SXT came with 18-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The GT added 20-inch wheels, a sport-inspired grille, and remote start. The R/T featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, rain-sensing wipers, and leather-and-suede upholstery. The Citadel was the luxury trim with chrome exterior touches and premium leather upholstery. The SRT had a unique look with a more aggressive front fascia and 20-inch black wheels.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was the largest of four SUVs that Buick sold, and it was designed to tether Buick to its glorious past while addressing consumer preferences for SUVs. The Enclave was available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with pricing ranging from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000. The Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and unique 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation and controls, and tasteful polished accents. The seats were wrapped in soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather, imparting a sense of luxury. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its fussy electronic transmission shifter, which users quickly adapted to.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, which was also available on the Citadel. The range-topping SRT came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, branded the "392," producing 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) depending on the trim.

The V6 engine provided decent power, while the 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T offered confident acceleration. The SRT was a different beast altogether, with strong low-end power and impressive high-speed performance. The SRT also featured a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo performance brakes. The Dodge SRT performance pages in the 8.4-inch touchscreen provided detailed engine status updates and drive mode customization.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 generated 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. When properly equipped, the Enclave had a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds.

The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and it drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly, and the FWD model allowed for momentary tire spin before traction control intervened. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds. The Enclave's ride and handling were impressive across various driving environments, and it achieved an average fuel economy of 21.2 mpg.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds to 8,700 pounds. The cabin offered plenty of space, with comfortable front seats and a choice between a three-passenger bench or second-row captain's chairs. The third row was best suited for kids, and the large second-row doors made access easy.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample room for six people (seven if needed). The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and a basic massaging function, while the front passenger seat was 10-way power-adjustable with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through the large rear doors and between the captain's chairs.

The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The Enclave's cabin was designed for comfort and quiet, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass.

The 2020 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8.4-inch touchscreen was optional on the GT and standard on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, with a tablet-inspired layout and dock icons for easy navigation. The Durango came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and higher trims included navigation and SiriusXM Travel Link. The R/T, Citadel, and SRT trims featured an Alpine premium audio system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. The Enclave featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was not as impressive as competitors' offerings. The Enclave also lacked smart home digital assistant integration and had short free trial periods for connected services.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came equipped with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were available on the SXT and standard on higher trims. The Technology Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection were also available. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Moderate score for driver’s side small-front overlap testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim and higher. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only on the Avenir with the Technology Package. The Enclave earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.