2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Dodge Durango

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a more refined and athletic design compared to its predecessors. Its exterior featured widened headlights, an extra-large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering, creating a recognizable and handsome appearance. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and red brake calipers, added a sporty flair. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite its high price tag, the materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. While the dashboard had some padded areas and the switchgear felt solid, the overall interior quality fell short of expectations for a vehicle in its price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with Dodge's family of vehicles. The Durango SRT Hellcat model, in particular, showcased a bold design with a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The interior of the Durango was updated with a new instrument panel and a choice of 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The cabin offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to premium leather, and featured contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours. The Durango's dashboard updates gave it a modern appearance, and the variety of trim levels catered to different preferences, offering both track-ready equipment and luxurious appointments.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided balanced weight distribution, enhancing its nimble handling and cornering capabilities. The ST's suspension and steering, tuned by Ford Performance, offered a precise and engaging driving experience. The Explorer also featured a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option. Towing capacity varied, with the V6 capable of towing up to 2,540 kilograms. The Explorer's seven drive modes allowed for versatile performance across different terrains.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options, including a 3.6-litre V6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. The Durango SRT Hellcat's 6.2-litre V8 produced an impressive 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, providing exhilarating acceleration and smooth shifts. The Durango's steering was responsive, but its chassis showed its age, with the suspension allowing bumps to be felt in the cabin. The Durango R/T, equipped with a Tow N Go Package, offered a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. The SRT models featured SRT Performance Pages, providing detailed performance data and configurable drive modes for track enthusiasts.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short trips, though the bench was flat for long journeys. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second row, and 2,491 litres with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical controls for climate and stereo were user-friendly, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Dodge Durango was a versatile family hauler with seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space for taller passengers, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. Cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly. The SUV's midsize packaging made it a practical choice for families, offering a balance between elegance and bulkiness.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was high-resolution and well-organized, it lacked customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but needed refinement. The Explorer's tech was promising but required software updates for improvement.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more personalized, offering connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Durango's rear-seat entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with two 9-inch screens. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a head-up display would enhance its usability. The gauge cluster's design made it challenging to read the speedometer accurately.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking were also standard. The Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with a back-up camera as the only standard active safety feature. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for small overlap frontal impact, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.