2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. The exterior design, largely unchanged since 2011, was updated for the 2021 model year, particularly evident in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model. This version featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive look. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, with six interior colour schemes. Inside, the cabin was modernized with a new instrument panel and a choice of touchscreens running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belts, providing a blend of functionality and style.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge closely resembled its gasoline counterpart, maintaining the same basic shape and structure. The most noticeable exterior difference was the solid panel in the grill, which redirected airflow, and the absence of tailpipes. The XC40 featured distinctive design elements like Thor’s Hammer daytime running lights and a floating roof illusion. Inside, the cabin was spacious and airy, with a Scandinavian design sensibility. The dashboard elements were harmoniously arranged, contributing to a premium feel. Volvo's attention to detail and quality was evident in the XC40 Recharge, making it a genuine luxury SUV.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four 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 engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with AWD standard in Canada. The V6 engine produced up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-litre V8 delivered 360 hp. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat model boasted 710 hp. The Durango's performance was impressive, with smooth acceleration and responsive steering. However, the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds, and the SRT models featured performance pages for track enthusiasts.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, producing 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The Recharge featured regenerative braking and a one-pedal drive option, enhancing efficiency and driving experience. The battery placement lowered the centre of gravity, improving handling. The XC40 Recharge had a range of 359 kilometres and could fast-charge to 80% in 40 minutes. The gasoline XC40 models offered turbocharged engines with 0-100 km/h times of 8.5 and 6.4 seconds for the T4 and T5 models, respectively.

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. The cargo space was average for its class, and the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly over the years. It balanced versatility and athletic design, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge offered clever storage solutions, including a front trunk for additional space. The cabin featured ample storage cubbies, comfortable front seats, and a slightly cramped rear middle seat. The XC40 Recharge provided up to 1,628 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms. The interior design emphasized comfort and convenience, aligning with Volvo's reputation for quality.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims, running the Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable than its predecessor, offering connected services, navigation, and wireless smartphone connectivity. The Durango also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though the lack of a head-up display was a drawback.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was equipped with a 9.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, running the Android Automotive operating system. It included Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store, with OTA updates for software. The system allowed for seamless integration with Google accounts and supported Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. However, the range display showed a percentage rather than distance, which could cause range anxiety.

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

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. It included a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane keep assist. The XC40 Recharge also featured a new sensor platform for enhanced safety and Volvo's Connected Safety system, which shared road condition data with other Volvo vehicles.