2023 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated enthusiasts with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the new Everglades and Bronco Raptor models, which were designed for extreme terrains like swamps and deep water. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance its off-road prowess. Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme with features like marine-grade vinyl upholstery and drain plugs, allowing for easy cleaning after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco incorporated modern technology, such as G.O.A.T. modes and a digital instrument panel, making it a versatile choice for both off-road enthusiasts and everyday drivers.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained a familiar yet attractive design, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles and opting for clean, car-like styling. The Durango's exterior featured slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and distinctive "racetrack" taillights. The SRT models added subtle yet unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. Inside, the Durango offered a comfortable and well-appointed cabin, with materials suited to various trim levels. Higher trims like the Citadel and SRT Hellcat boasted luxurious features such as Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other three-row SUVs, providing ample headroom and legroom across all rows.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.7-litre V6 engine delivering 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission, available with the four-cylinder engine, featured a unique crawl gear for low-speed driving. All models came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case, ensuring off-road capability. The Bronco excelled in off-road environments, conquering challenging terrains with ease. It also impressed on pavement, offering a smoother ride and better handling than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco's performance was complemented by its ability to tackle various terrains with confidence, thanks to its advanced off-road systems.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango's performance was impressive, with the Hellcat model achieving a zero to 100 km/h time of roughly 3.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango offered a thrilling driving experience, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds. The adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes ensured that the Durango's power was manageable.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's iconic squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior, providing ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The two-door model offered 634 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,481 litres with the seats folded. The four-door model increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, and accessory rails atop the dash. The Bronco's utility was further enhanced by external hard mounting points and removable fender flares, making it a versatile choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other three-row SUVs, providing generous headroom and legroom across all rows. Cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with 487 litres behind the third row, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. The Durango also offered ample small-item storage, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango's towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models capable of towing up to 2,812 kilograms, and Hemi V8 models up to 3,946 kilograms.

The 2022 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. modes for different terrains and a forward-looking trail camera for improved visibility. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses and sharp graphics, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Bronco's technology suite included a Trail Turn Assist feature for sharper turns and a wireless charging pad for added convenience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with added personality for SRT models. The Performance Pages app provided performance information, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims. The Durango's tech updates ensured a modern infotainment experience despite its age.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features such as hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star frontal crash protection rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS in most tests.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" score in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims.