2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling from its 2011 debut, maintaining a muscular and athletic appearance that aligned with its Dodge siblings, the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw updates, particularly in the high-performance SRT Hellcat variant, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, with a cabin that boasted a new instrument panel and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior ranged from cloth upholstery to premium leather options, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours adding a touch of flair.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza re-emerged with a modern design on the TGNA-K platform, shared with several Toyota and Lexus models. Its exterior featured a sleek, scalloped body and a distinctive tailgate with LED lighting. The Venza's interior was Lexus-like, with high-quality materials and a well-placed touchscreen display. The cabin was spacious, with supportive front seats and ample room for three adults in the rear. The Venza's design was more suited for urban environments, offering a refined and comfortable ride.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines, from a 3.6-litre V6 to a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8, delivering up to 710 horsepower in the SRT Hellcat model. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and AWD was standard in Canada. The Durango's performance was robust, with smooth acceleration and precise steering, though its chassis showed its age on rough roads. The SUV's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package, and the SRT models featured Performance Pages for track enthusiasts.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, powered by a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, produced a combined 219 horsepower. Its hybrid system balanced electric and gas power for efficiency, with AWD provided by rear axle electric motors. The Venza offered drive modes to optimize performance and regenerative braking to recharge the battery. It delivered a smooth and agile ride, ideal for family travel rather than aggressive driving.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, while the third row provided more room than many competitors. Cargo space was average for its class, and the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly over the years.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The cabin felt roomy, enhanced by features like the Star Gaze panoramic sunroof. The Venza offered numerous convenience features, including power-adjustable seats, an electric parking brake, and ample storage options. Its cargo capacity reached 1,560 litres with the rear seats folded, and the cabin was designed for quiet travel.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system, offering fast performance and personalization options. The system included navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the analog speedometer was difficult to read, and a HUD was not available.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid system required no charging infrastructure, offering a range of over 800 kilometres on a tank of gas. The Venza featured an eight-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and higher trims added a JBL audio system, HUD, and digital rearview mirror. Toyota Connected Services provided safety and remote features, enhancing the Venza's tech offerings.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with a back-up camera as standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated it as Marginal for driver-side small overlap frontal impact, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash rating.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System and eight airbags. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.