2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 with Dodge's muscular family design seen in the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year brought a revised athletic stance, especially evident in the new SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a redesigned front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and exterior colors, with a cabin that included a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior ranged from cloth upholstery to premium leather options, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky flavor.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, introduced as a longer version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, added 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. New exterior paint colors for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. The interior boasted dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, offering a luxurious feel comparable to a Mercedes.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: 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 rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The V6, standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, produced 293 horsepower (single exhaust) or 295 horsepower (dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim came with a 5.7-liter V8 delivering 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, offering smooth acceleration and controlled power. The Durango's steering was precise, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactionary suspension on rural roads and a tech-fighting architecture on the track. The Hellcat's Brembo brakes provided ample stopping power, even after repeated laps. The R/T's Tow N Go Package allowed for a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, with stable performance thanks to the "Tow" drive mode's 50/50 AWD torque distribution.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, with engine noise permeating the cabin under acceleration. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying performance. Fuel economy for the V6 was estimated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with a taut and direct steering feel, and an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings for varied driving conditions. The vehicle handled well on rough roads, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 with 4WD.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It wasn't as elegant as some competitors, but its midsize packaging made it a versatile and athletic family vehicle. The Durango came standard with seating for five and could accommodate up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, with the third row offering more room than many rivals. The Durango provided 21 seat options, catering to various preferences. Cargo space was average for its class, and the fit and finish had significantly improved, earning awards for initial vehicle quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured a straightforward Uconnect 5 infotainment system with sleek graphics and easy-to-use physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced long journeys, though the air vents were insufficient for proper airflow. The interior was luxurious, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the SXT and GT trims, with higher trims getting a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was five times faster than its predecessor, offering 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 user-friendly, with clear graphics and responsive touch. A family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens was available on select trims. The gauge cluster had some legibility issues, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of upcoming turns. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims added more advanced features, such as automatic parking and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had simpler audio systems.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The vehicle offered a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, enhancing its appeal as a family vehicle.