2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in its A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive blacked-out trim or traditional performance design cues. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on acceleration and handling. Acura wisely avoided giving the RDX an off-road appearance, focusing instead on its role as a daily driver and road-tripper. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a starting price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with its Charger and Challenger siblings. The Durango's design was revised for 2021, with the SRT Hellcat model showcasing a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colours with six interior colour schemes. Inside, the Durango featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The cabin's fit and finish had improved significantly, and the Durango's various trim levels offered a range of features, from track-ready equipment to premium appointments.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which enhanced handling by distributing power to the rear wheels. The RDX offered driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, contributing to its sporty handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-litre V6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. The V6 engine produced up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-litre V8 delivered 360 horsepower. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 horsepower, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the SRT Hellcat model boasted 710 horsepower. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and AWD was standard in Canada. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with the suspension allowing bumps to be felt in the cabin. The SRT models featured Brembo brakes and SRT Performance Pages for track enthusiasts.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. The A-Spec trim added Alcantara and leather seats with ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX's cargo area measured 835 litres behind the rear seats and expanded to 1,668 litres with the seats folded. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, though this figure was based on unconventional loading methods.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, while the third row provided more room than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, but it functioned as expected. The SUV's fit and finish had improved, and it offered a good balance between elegance and practicality.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While the TTI mirrored the screen, making it more intuitive than similar systems, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and an available navigation system. The A-Spec trim came with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system on higher trims. The Uconnect 5 system was faster and more customizable, with features like user profiles, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a rear-seat family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a head-up display would have enhanced its usability.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal impact and rollover resistance.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's standard safety features were limited to a back-up camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The Durango received a Marginal rating from the IIHS for small overlap frontal impact and a five-star side crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for front crash and rollover.