2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Dodge Durango retained its styling from a 2014 update, with its design roots tracing back to a 2011 overhaul. Its connection to the Charger muscle sedan was evident, though the platform was undeniably dated. The cabin design was straightforward but felt outdated compared to its Jeep Grand Cherokee counterpart, which had received more significant updates.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 model offered trims like SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT, each with varying features from basic comforts to luxury touches and performance enhancements.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received minor updates to modernize its appearance. These included a new grille, front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design. The Odyssey was available in four trims: EX-RES, EX-L Navi, EX-L RES, and Touring, with pricing ranging from $44,645 to $55,845. The interior featured new perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting, enhancing its upscale feel. The Odyssey's design improvements aimed to position it as a more luxurious minivan option.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines across its trims. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came 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 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, also available on the Citadel. The SRT trim 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 impressive handling for its size.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain remained unchanged from the previous year, offering smooth and effortless power delivery. The Odyssey featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an average consumption of 10.8 L/100 km. While all-wheel drive was unavailable, the Odyssey included a new electronic brake booster for enhanced braking performance. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, though the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 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. The Durango offered ample cabin 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. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 2,812 to 3,946 kilograms, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered excellent storage space, with 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres. The Odyssey featured Honda's Magic Slide second-row seat layout, allowing for various seating configurations. The front seats were comfortable, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat standard on most trims. The second-row seats offered good support, though the armrests were not adjustable. The third row accommodated both children and adults comfortably.

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 features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and premium audio systems, with an available 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Odyssey's rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though the lack of a tuning knob and limited voice-recognition technology were noted drawbacks.

The 2020 Dodge Durango included front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and trailer sway control. 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.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA for most crash tests.