2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and popular LT models featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country featured a chrome bar grille and body-colour mirror caps. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights enhancing its appearance. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels improving its overall look.

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with its Charger and Challenger siblings. The new SRT Hellcat model showcased a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The Durango offered six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, with 11 exterior colours and 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 offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to Laguna leather, with contrast stitching and Demonic Red seat belts adding a funky flavour. The Durango's dashboard updates gave it a modern appearance, and its variety of grades catered to diverse buyer preferences, offering track-ready equipment and unique packaging.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-litre V8 engine, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country featured an exclusive 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all versions except the Z71. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle a payload of 831 kilograms. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Tahoe Z71 impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades.

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. The V6 engine, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel, produced 293 or 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The R/T featured a 5.7-litre V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 had a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 with 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension. The Hellcat's Brembo brakes provided ample stopping power. The R/T's Tow N Go Package allowed for a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. The SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages for track days, providing performance data and configurable drive modes.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console was a highlight, offering a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second row offered a 3-person bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter option providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum volume of 3,480 litres.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It could seat up to seven across three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats. The third row was more spacious than many competitors, with easy access. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, functioning as advertised. Dodge's improvements in fit and finish were evident, with the Durango standing out compared to earlier models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform offering enhanced computing power and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was fast. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatility, though it lacked the available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT, with higher trims receiving a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 system. The Uconnect 5 system was five times faster than its predecessor, offering personalization, connected services, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. The Durango offered a rear-seat family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the speedometer, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature, offering clear graphics and quick response.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Tahoe's driving-assistance features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the SUV in tight spaces. Crash test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's standard safety features included a back-up camera, airbags, and electronic stability control. Optional features, depending on trim or package, included 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. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for a small overlap frontal impact on the driver’s side, with Poor protection for the safety cage and driver lower leg and foot. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.