2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with subtle updates to its styling. The new model year introduced a redesigned grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. The Touring trim debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's modern appeal by minimizing brightwork. The interior received upgrades with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, elevating the Odyssey's luxurious feel. The vehicle's seating and design improvements, along with new tri-colour floor mats, contributed to a more refined and upscale experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with its Charger and Challenger siblings. The exterior saw revisions, particularly in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options, with six 20-inch and one 18-inch version available. Inside, the cabin boasted a new instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours adding a touch of flair. The updates to the dashboard and infotainment system brought the Durango in line with its muscle car counterparts.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain remained unchanged from the previous year, offering smooth and effortless power. The engine featured variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency, with an average consumption of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. Despite its front-wheel-drive configuration, the Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engine options, including a 3.6-litre V6, 5.7-litre HEMI V8, 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 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 V8 in the SRT Hellcat boasted 710 hp. The Durango's steering was precise, but the chassis showed its age, with a reactive suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The SRT models featured robust brakes, and the R/T trim offered a Tow N Go Package with a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. The SRT Performance Pages provided detailed performance data for track enthusiasts.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality, offering legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The minivan featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in higher trims. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Dodge Durango provided comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats offered ample space, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, with a functional design. The SUV's fit and finish had improved over the years, contributing to its appeal as a family hauler. The Durango's midsize packaging made it a versatile option, balancing athletic design with practicality.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim offered an 11-speaker audio system, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's Uconnect 5 system, available on higher trims, was a significant upgrade, offering faster performance and greater personalization. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a user-friendly interface and clear graphics. The rear-seat entertainment system included two 9-inch screens and a Blu-ray/DVD player. The gauge cluster's design made it difficult to read the speedometer, but the TomTom navigation system was a standout feature, providing clear and responsive guidance.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top NHTSA ratings for crash tests. However, the adaptive cruise control's braking could be uneven, and the lane-departure warning system's alerts were not as smooth as desired.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind competitors in safety features, offering only a standard back-up camera. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Durango received a Marginal rating from the IIHS for small overlap frontal impact and a four-star rating from the NHTSA for front crash and rollover tests.