2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, aligning with Dodge's family of performance-oriented vehicles. The Durango's design was updated for 2021, particularly evident 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, allowing for personalization. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and touchscreen options, enhancing its modern appeal. The interior offered a range of upholstery choices, from cloth to premium leather, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours adding a touch of flair.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2021 Dodge Durango provided a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing 293 to 295 horsepower, depending on the exhaust configuration. The 5.7-litre HEMI V8 in the R/T model delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier SRT Hellcat boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and all-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Durango's performance was impressive, with smooth acceleration and precise steering. However, its chassis showed its age, affecting ride comfort on rough roads. The Durango's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds, making it a strong contender for towing needs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat and seven-seat configurations, with the option of second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious due to the power sunroof and upright roof profile. The XC90 featured a four-zone climate control system with an optional air filtration system. The front seats were power-adjustable and offered massage functions, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with both rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space for taller occupants, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, providing practical storage options. The SUV's fit and finish had improved over the years, enhancing its overall quality. The Durango's midsize packaging made it a versatile choice for families, balancing comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and an optional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive to use, though the text could be difficult to read while driving. A wireless charging pad was added for 2021, but it had limited compatibility with larger phones.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was faster and more customizable, offering user profiles, connected services, and wireless smartphone integration. The system was easy to navigate, with clear graphics and responsive touch controls. The Durango also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD capabilities. The gauge cluster had some readability issues, but the TomTom navigation system was praised for its clarity and responsiveness.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

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