2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior compared to its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outdoor XT trim added a unique touch with water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights, while still embodying the essence of a lifted wagon.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango showcased a muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with its Charger and Challenger siblings. The Durango SRT Hellcat model, in particular, featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps, emphasizing its high-performance nature. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, enhancing its visual appeal. 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 advanced Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to luxurious leather options, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours adding a funky flavour.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. However, this engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when fully loaded, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trims provided a significant upgrade with a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, offering a more refined and capable driving experience. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance, making it adept at tackling rough roads. Subaru's renowned all-wheel-drive system ensured excellent off-road capability, with features like X-Mode enhancing its performance in challenging conditions.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing up to 295 horsepower. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower, while the SRT 392 boasted a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 horsepower. The pinnacle of performance was the SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8, generating an impressive 710 horsepower. Despite its power, the Durango maintained smooth acceleration and precise steering. However, the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango's braking system, especially in the Hellcat, provided ample stopping power, and the Tow N Go Package enhanced its towing capabilities.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled in interior space, offering 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage solutions were abundant, with large map pockets and bottle holders. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack.

The 2021 Dodge Durango was a versatile family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, but its fit and finish had improved significantly. The SUV's midsize packaging made it a practical choice for families, balancing comfort and athletic design.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided advanced driver-assist features, though it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured the new Uconnect 5 system, offering faster performance and greater personalization. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a user-friendly interface. Higher trims included a rear-seat entertainment system, enhancing family travel. The Durango's instrument cluster, while stylish, made it challenging to read speed accurately, but the TomTom navigation system was a highlight, providing clear and responsive guidance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and advanced driver-assist features. It earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, highlighting its crashworthiness and effective emergency braking system.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind in safety features, with only a back-up camera as standard. Optional packages added advanced safety technologies, but many competitors offered these as standard. The Durango received mixed safety ratings, with concerns about its safety cage and driver protection in certain crash tests.