2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights flanking the prominent Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the rear was marked by bold, large taillights. The Q5's overall appearance was classy and modern, with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in hybrid version, with S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, stood out even more, offering standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern, packed with technology yet maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Controls were smartly grouped, and the design unity was pleasing. High-quality materials like real wood and metal were used, with crisp lines where different materials met. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed for easy driver access. The second row was well-appointed, featuring standard leather upholstery throughout.

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with its family members, the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw revisions, particularly in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a distinct front end. The Durango offered six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, with 11 exterior colours and six interior colour schemes available.

Inside, the Durango's cabin featured a new instrument panel for 2021 and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. As buyers moved up the trim levels, the Durango became more premium and sophisticated. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower models, with options for leather, suede, Nappa leather, and Laguna leather seats. Contrast stitching and Demonic Red seat belts added a funky flavour. The updated dashboard gave the Durango a modern appearance, aligning it with the Charger and Challenger muscle cars.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience by adding 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery, resulting in a total combined output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup, paired with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight, delivered convincing acceleration, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Q5 PHEV achieved impressive fuel efficiency, with 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 km combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 km combined. The battery could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service.

The Q5 PHEV's drivetrain featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro AWD. It offered modes for limited-range battery-only driving, battery power reservation, or automatic hybrid mode. The speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and four-wheel independent suspension provided good handling, with minimal body roll and powerful, predictable braking.

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. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with AWD standard in Canada. The V6 engine produced 293 or 295 hp, while the 5.7-litre V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque.

The Durango's steering was precise, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Hellcat's Brembo brakes provided ample stopping power, even on the track. The R/T model with the Tow N Go Package demonstrated stable towing capabilities, with a quoted capacity of 8,700 pounds. The SRT models offered configurable drive modes and performance pages for track days.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered a balanced size, with 710 litres of cargo space behind the second row and up to 1,503 litres with the second row folded. The battery pack was cleverly placed under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. The second row provided reasonable legroom (960 mm), headroom (958 mm), and shoulder room (1,435 mm), accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were supportive sport seats with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and optional ventilation. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage options, including cupholders and cubbies.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for five in two rows or up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, accommodating taller passengers, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. The SUV's fit and finish had improved significantly, standing out compared to earlier models.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a centre-console touchpad. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three customizable views. The cabin's tech was elevated by colour/mood-adjustable LED ambient lights. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with 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 allowed for greater personalization, offering connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, TomTom navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a rear-seat family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster had a unique design, but the speedometer was difficult to read. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a HUD would enhance usability.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline model received top "good" ratings except for headlights, which were rated "marginal." The NHTSA awarded the 2021 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, ABS with brake assist, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Pre Sense front, Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with a standard back-up camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for a 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.