2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

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 was straightforward but felt dated 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 Durango offered trims like SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT, each with varying features from basic amenities to luxury touches and performance enhancements.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the blandness often associated with midsize SUVs. Its styling included wide headlights, a long hood, and a trapezoidal grille, with a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The Highlander appeared longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim added a sportier look with suspension tuning and an appearance package. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, offered upscale chrome accents and a luxurious interior with near-flawless fit and finish. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, essential for family vehicles.

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 hp and 390 lb-ft 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 offered a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes, with the Dodge SRT performance pages providing detailed engine status updates and drive mode customization.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high performance, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable operation, with power comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort and reliability, making it a solid choice for family-oriented buyers.

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. While not the largest in its class, it provided ample usable space. The Durango's cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a choice of second-row configurations. The third row was best suited for children, but access was easy. The Durango also offered a towing capacity ranging from 2,812 to 3,946 kilograms, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured practical interior storage, with shelves ahead of the front seats and a wireless charging pad in the centre console. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could move to optimize space. The third row was more cramped, suitable for short trips or children. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and 2,245 litres with both rows down. While not the largest, it was adequate for most needs, though minivans offered more space.

The 2020 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen with the Uconnect infotainment system. Uconnect 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 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Platinum trim. While navigation was available from the Limited grade, it struggled with points of interest. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, ensuring connectivity. The 12.3-inch screen was visually impressive, though not all apps utilized its full width. A JBL audio system was standard from the Limited grade, providing good sound quality.

The 2020 Dodge Durango included front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were standard, with front sensors on higher trims. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. The Durango earned a four-star NHTSA rating and a Good score in most IIHS tests, though some safety features were optional.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind spot monitoring and LED headlights were standard. The Highlander received a five-star NHTSA rating and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, highlighting its comprehensive safety features.