2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. Despite its third-generation design dating back to 2011, the Durango received updates for 2021, particularly evident in the SRT Hellcat model. This high-performance variant featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive look. The Durango offered a range of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, with a cabin that boasted a modern instrument panel and the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior was customizable with various upholstery options, including leather and suede, and offered a sophisticated feel as one moved up the trim levels.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Touring trim, which we tested, featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding a touch of elegance. The Odyssey's interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring quality leather upholstery, a low console for easy access, and ample storage space. The centre stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was intuitive to use. The Odyssey provided an expansive view through its large windshield, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of 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 V6 engine, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, produced up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-litre V8 in the R/T delivered 360 hp. The SRT 392 boasted 475 hp, and the SRT Hellcat's supercharged engine reached an impressive 710 hp. The Durango's performance was complemented by smooth shifts from its eight-speed automatic transmission and precise steering. However, its chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango's braking system, particularly in the Hellcat, was robust, even under track conditions.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. While lacking the all-wheel drive and hybrid options of some competitors, the Odyssey offered a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The minivan's brakes, however, showed signs of strain during repeated use, particularly on downhill grades. Despite this, the Odyssey was quick and responsive, providing a pleasant driving experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. Its midsize packaging provided a balance between comfort and versatility, with spacious front and second-row seats. The third row, standard in Canada, was more accommodating than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, but its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years, earning it awards for initial vehicle quality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Touring trim featured quality leather seats, a tri-zone climate control system, and ample storage options. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility for families, while the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with the second-row seats removed. This made it a practical choice for families needing maximum cargo capacity.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system offered faster performance, personalization options, and connectivity features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD capabilities. However, the analog speedometer was difficult to read, and a head-up display was notably absent.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey's Touring trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals. The Odyssey offered CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, and a premium audio system. However, the lack of a larger screen and a tuning knob for the stereo were drawbacks. The embedded navigation system was less intuitive than smartphone-based options.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind competitors in safety features, offering only a back-up camera as standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Durango received a Marginal rating from the IIHS for small overlap frontal impact and a four-star front crash rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with some features responding too abruptly. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.