2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis's first SUV, was a fresh design that managed to balance innovation with the brand's emerging signature style. It featured a sleek two-box design with a long hood and short front overhang, complemented by a massive trapezoidal grille and distinctive "Quad Lamp" LED headlights. The GV80's exterior was marked by elegant lines and high-quality finishes, with uniform panel gaps and a choice of 19-inch, 20-inch, or 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Inside, the GV80 offered a luxurious and technologically advanced cabin, with a sleek dashboard, a 14.5-inch high-definition display, and authentic materials like real wood and leather, creating a sophisticated and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, consistent with Dodge's family of vehicles. The Durango's design was updated for 2021, particularly in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, with six interior colour schemes. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior became more premium as one moved up the trim levels, with options for leather and suede upholstery, contrast stitching, and unique seat belt colours.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80 featured a 2,955 mm wheelbase and independent multi-link suspension, with the 3.5T models offering electronically controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T engine provided sufficient power for most driving situations, while the 3.5T engine offered a smoother and more powerful experience, enhanced by active noise cancellation. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-litre V6 with up to 295 horsepower, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower, a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 horsepower, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 with 710 horsepower in the SRT Hellcat model. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and all-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Durango's performance was highlighted by the SRT Hellcat's impressive power, which was easily controlled and provided smooth acceleration. The Durango's steering was responsive, but the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that allowed bumps to be felt in the cabin. The Durango R/T offered a Tow N Go Package with a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, and the SRT models featured SRT Performance Pages for track-ready performance.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The centre console featured a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capability. The second row was spacious and comfortable, with power rear seats and window shades available. The GV80's third row, standard on 3.5T models, increased passenger capacity to seven and featured a power-fold function. The interior was designed with luxury in mind, offering features like three-row climate control and power rear-door closure.

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, with the third row providing more room than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, and the interior quality had improved significantly over the years. The Durango's fit and finish were praised, and it offered a good balance of comfort and practicality for families.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and user-configurable split-screen displays. Android users could use a digital key function, and the GV80 came with five years of Genesis Connected Services, including remote start and emergency assistance. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, and the audio system ranged from a standard nine-speaker setup to a 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system on higher trims, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system was faster and more customizable than its predecessor, offering connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and TomTom navigation. The Durango also offered a rear-seat family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The gauge cluster had a unique design, but the analog speedometer was difficult to read. The TomTom navigation system was praised for its clear graphics and quick response.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with 10 airbags, including a front-centre airbag, and a suite of driver assistance features like blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist, as well as Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited compared to its rivals. It came standard with a back-up camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for a small overlap frontal impact, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.