2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling since its third generation debuted in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango maintained a distinct look, aligning more with Dodge's muscle cars like the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw a revision in its athletic styling, especially evident in the new SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, throaty twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end. The Durango offered six different 20-inch wheel varieties and one 18-inch version, with availability varying by trim level. Buyers could choose from 11 exterior colors and six interior color schemes. The cabin featured a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior became increasingly premium with higher trim levels, offering options like leather, suede, Nappa leather, and Laguna leather upholstery. The updates to the dashboard gave the Durango a modern appearance, aligning it with Dodge's muscle cars. The variety of grades and unique packaging made the Durango a versatile choice for many buyers.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared a platform, mechanicals, and general layout with the Nissan Armada, but its front-end styling was unique, thanks to the distinctive Infiniti grille. The QX80 featured tastefully integrated LED lighting and conservative use of chrome, giving it an upscale look. The stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, standard on Premium Select and above, further enhanced its exterior. Inside, the QX80's cabin featured unique and upscale materials compared to the Armada, with tasteful wood trim and quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats in the Sensory-trim test vehicle. Despite its upscale appearance, the QX80's interior style was becoming outdated. The cabin was comfortable and attractive, but it fell short of the high standards set by its premium full-size SUV competitors.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four different engines: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with different versions for each engine type. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional on certain models. The V6 engine, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, produced 293 horsepower (single exhaust) or 295 horsepower (dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter V8 making 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's steering was precise, and the vehicle handled well, though the chassis showed its age. The suspension allowed bumps to be felt in the cabin, and the tech struggled with the vehicle's architecture on the track. The Hellcat's Brembo six-piston brakes provided ample stopping power. The R/T's Tow N Go Package allowed for a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, with stable handling thanks to the "Tow" drive mode's 50/50 AWD torque distribution. The SRT models offered SRT Performance Pages for detailed performance information.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivered robust performance and a pleasing exhaust note. The seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and manual mode provided seamless and smooth shifts. The QX80's power delivery was smooth and linear, and the transmission handled mountain grades and steep downhills well. The QX80 offered more off-road capability than most owners would need, with a computer-controlled transfer case and ample ground clearance. The vehicle managed to control excessive body lean during cornering or quick maneuvers, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system. The QX80's maximum towing capacity was 8,500 pounds, suitable for a full-size travel trailer or boat.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It offered seating for five in two rows, with an option for seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row was more spacious than many competitors, with easy access. The Durango provided 21 seat options, giving buyers plenty of choices. The cargo space was average for its class, functioning as expected. Dodge's improved fit and finish in the Durango stood out compared to earlier models.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, aided by a grab handle for easier ingress. The cabin provided a spacious and airy feel, with good head- and legroom in the front seats. Forward visibility was commendable, though the sideview mirrors were small. The power-sliding moonroof was smaller than panoramic designs in other models. The QX80 could hold up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench-seat package, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seating was cramped, especially for adults. The split-fold third-row seats and power-operated liftgate were slow to operate. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The test vehicle included illuminated kick plates, a cargo scuff plate, and radiant exterior welcome lighting, adding a premium touch.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The larger screen ran the new Uconnect 5 system, which was five times faster than the previous version and offered greater personalization, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa connectivity, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch. The family entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with two 9-inch screens, available on higher trims. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the exact speed, but the TomTom navigation system was user-friendly and responsive.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The display included navigation with lane guidance, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system on the top Sensory trim. The QX80 also included multiple USB ports, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a new wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear entertainment system included screens in the front-seat headrests and wireless headsets, though the necessary HDMI adapters were missing. The QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older vehicle systems architecture.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came standard with a rearview camera and passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features 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 NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but front crash testing ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 included standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features for 2022 included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row outboard passengers. The NHTSA gave the 2021 QX80 four stars for overall crash protection, with three stars for front crash protection and five stars in side crashes. The 2022 QX80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS.