2021 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner boasted a timeless, utilitarian design with tall slab sides, a high beltline, and short overhangs. These features, alongside a near-vertical front fascia, echoed the lack of visual flash similar to an XJ Jeep Cherokee. This understated styling projected a rugged appeal. The flared wheel wells were specifically designed to accommodate bulky off-road tires, while the short overhangs allowed the 4Runner to conquer steep pitches and sharp declines. Despite its rugged appearance, the hood scoop, a key visual cue for the TRD trim, was non-functional.

Small, angular headlights graced the front end. Various trims altered the grille's appearance, with body-color bars on all but the Limited and TRD Pro trims. The TRD Pro had blacked-out accents, displaying “TOYOTA” on the middle bar, while the Limited trim shined with bright, glinting chrome.

The 4Runner's trim lineup included the SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and the new Venture Special Edition for 2020. The Nightshade and Venture editions added a stealth aesthetic with blacked-out trim, and the Venture featured off-road 17-inch TRD wheels and a standard Yakima Megawarrior roof rack.

Our test model was a Limited trim, targeting consumers more interested in comfort over capability. Leather upholstery adorned all the seats, though lower trims came with standard cloth, and some Premium trims featured SofTex material. Regardless of the trim, an 8-inch touchscreen housed within the dashboard provided tech access. Despite the chrome and leather upgrades, the 4Runner Limited retained its utilitarian roots with plenty of plastic and a seating position geared more for trail tackling than highway cruising.

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained a muscular stance and athletic styling with its third-generation model, which hadn't changed much since 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, it looked decidedly different. The Durango connected well with Dodge's other family members, the Charger and Challenger, boasting refined and sporty cues. This was especially evident in the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a differentiated front end.

Six different 20-inch wheel options and one 18-inch version were available, varying by trim. Buyers had their pick from 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes.

The Durango’s cabin got a significant update for 2021, featuring a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running FCA’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Moving up in the trims, the Durango's interior became increasingly premium and sophisticated. Standard cloth upholstery could be upgraded to leather, suede, Nappa leather, or Laguna leather, with numerous contrast stitching options and funky Demonic Red-colored seat belts available.

The updates streamlined the Durango’s modern aesthetic, aligning it with the Charger and Challenger muscle cars. With diverse configurations, buyers could find a model to match various needs, ranging from track-ready equipment and fine appointments to unique packaging not often seen in SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner took a straightforward approach to performance with a singular powertrain configuration across all trims. Under the hood was a 4-liter V6 engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Designed for durability and off-road prowess, this engine was not particularly smooth or efficient, resulting in an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. Our real-world testing yielded 17.7 mpg over 400-plus miles.

Despite its truck-based chassis, the 4Runner’s strength lay in its off-road capabilities. The body-on-frame construction endured rough, twisting forces, although on-road driving revealed significant body roll and vague steering. The 4Runner felt like a blast from the past, requiring effort to steer and accelerate. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, it was capable, albeit not impressive.

RWD was available, but opting for the full-time 4WD system enhanced its off-road credentials, especially in the TRD models that featured advanced traction systems like Toyota’s CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select. These systems ensured the 4Runner could handle tough terrains with ease, offering settings for different ground surfaces.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a diverse range of powertrains, accommodating various preferences and performance needs. It featured four engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293-295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 pushing 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the Durango SRT Hellcat that roared with 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque.

Each engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with three different versions tailored to the engines’ specific needs. RWD was standard, with optional AWD, which was mandatory on certain high-performance models.

The Durango performed impressively, with smooth shifts and controlled power. The Hellcat model, despite its immense power, was manageable in various driving conditions, including city traffic and high-speed highway runs. Steering was precise, inspiring confidence, though the aging chassis occasionally revealed itself through a reactive suspension over bumps.

Braking was robust, especially on the Hellcat model with its Brembo six-piston setup, which performed exceptionally even under repeated track laps. The Durango R/T, equipped with a Tow N Go Package, demonstrated capable towing, handling a trailer with stability and ease, thanks to the "Tow" drive mode with 50/50 AWD torque distribution.

The 2020 4Runner emphasized visibility and practicality with its off-road focus. Despite its size, it had a tight turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches, better than some competitors like the Highlander and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The interior featured large, user-friendly knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, and steering-wheel buttons, although not illuminated, offered plenty of functionality.

Due to its body-on-frame construction and ground clearance, the 4Runner had a tall seating position. Power-retractable running boards on the Limited trim aided ingress and egress, which could otherwise be challenging. The driving position provided a commanding view, making rough city streets feel inconsequential under its robust 4WD frame.

The 4Runner offered an optional third row in non-TRD and non-Venture trims, although these seats were more suited for short, occasional use. They featured narrow, thin cushions lacking significant legroom, and folded ingeniously to maximize cargo space when not in use.

The Durango excelled as a family hauler, with versatile seating and ample storage. It comfortably seated up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats accommodating taller passengers. The third row was more spacious than many competitors, comparable to the Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot, and was accessible with relative ease.

Dodge offered extensive seating options, with 21 choices to tailor the interior to different tastes. Cargo space was generous and functioned as promised, standing at average for its class.

The interior quality had improved significantly, reflecting Dodge's commitment to better craftsmanship. The Durango outshined previous Dodge models like the Journey and Grand Caravan with its fit and finish, winning awards for initial vehicle quality.

In terms of cargo capacity, the 4Runner provided 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Durango, meanwhile, offered 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 85.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner finally caught up with modern expectations by introducing an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Toyota's proprietary system was usable, integration with smartphones provided a more intuitive experience. The onboard navigation system was less efficient compared to the quick and easy Google Maps via Android Auto.

The 4Runner also supported Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, and subscription services like SiriusXM Radio and WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a JBL stereo and integrated navigation system. However, even with these advancements, the 4Runner’s tech features lagged behind competitors with newer, bigger, and brighter screens.

The true technological strength of the 4Runner lay in its off-road capabilities, with advanced features in the powertrain aiding in difficult terrains.

The Durango came standard with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on SXT and GT trims, while higher trims boasted a 10.1-inch version that ran the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. This system was significantly faster than its predecessor, offering greater personalization options, multiple Bluetooth connections, and seamless integration with Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Uconnect 5 system was user-friendly and visually pleasing, presenting clear graphics and responsive touch interaction. The larger screen helped the Durango compete with rivals in the tech domain. Additionally, a family entertainment system with Blu-ray/DVD players and 9-inch screens was available for rear-seat entertainment.

Dodge distinguished its performance models like the SRT with unique infotainment and instrument cluster appearance features, including specific animations and fonts. The gauge cluster, however, posed readability challenges due to its design, making it challenging to gauge speed accurately.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner made significant strides in safety with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also had eight standard airbags, enhancing overall safety.

The NHTSA awarded the 4Runner four out of five stars overall, but only three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it top marks in all crash tests except the small overlap front: driver-side test, where it received a Marginal rating.

Driving on the highway, the adaptive cruise control worked well, though the high center of gravity and imprecise steering accentuated the need for a more active lane-keeping system.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Durango lagged behind its rivals. It came standard with a rearview camera and basic safety features like airbags and stability control. Optional packages added features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning, but these were not standard across most trims.

The NHTSA awarded the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, though front crash testing results were pending.