2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. Its slim design, complemented by forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, demonstrated that SUVs could have a commanding presence without resorting to massive grilles. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood with a functional centre air inlet and heat extractors, along with unique wheels and a different front fascia. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional customization options, while the expanded colour palette added more variety.

Inside, the Durango's interior was less distinctive but still pleasant. Lower trim levels had materials appropriate for their price points, while higher trims like the Citadel offered luxurious features such as Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats. The SRT Hellcat model stood out with bold red leather upholstery. Overall, the Durango's interior provided a comfortable environment, with options for enhanced luxury in higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV represented a dramatic evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based off-roader roots to a car-based crossover. Built on an EV-specific platform, the Blazer EV shared some styling elements with its gasoline counterpart but featured a unique design. The Blazer EV's tall hood, scowling front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights gave it a more aggressive appearance compared to rival electric SUVs. It was longer and wider than competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6, emphasizing its SUV-like presence.

The Blazer EV launched in LT and RS trim levels, each with distinct styling elements. The LT featured a colour-coordinated front fascia, while the RS had a blacked-out front fascia and exterior accents. The forthcoming Blazer EV SS promised even more unique styling features. Inside, the RS and SS models offered a distinctive interior with large round air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel. Red leather upholstery was optional, adding a fun touch to the cabin. While some interior components felt flimsy, the Blazer EV's interior was mostly free of the piano-black plastic found in other brands.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. This engine produced 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, while rear-wheel drive was available in the U.S. 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, providing a classic V8 rumble.

The Durango SRT 392 featured a 6.4-litre naturally-aspirated Hemi V8, producing 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. It could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. It achieved a zero to 100 km/h time of around 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.5 seconds. The Hellcat's acceleration was exhilarating, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds, while the adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes ensured control.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain in the LT and RS trims. RWD models had 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack. AWD models produced 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, featuring an 85-kWh pack. The Blazer EV SS, with a dual-motor AWD powertrain, promised 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 96 km/h in under four seconds.

During test drives, the RWD and AWD Blazer EV RS models demonstrated strong acceleration, with the AWD version offering better traction. The Blazer EV's handling was precise, but the stiff suspension compromised comfort. Cabin noise was minimal, and the steering-wheel paddle allowed for adjustable regenerative braking, enhancing driver involvement.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench standard on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs, which were optional on GT and R/T models. Interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom comparable to rivals. However, the Durango had less cargo space, offering 487 litres with all seats in place, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row.

The Durango provided ample small-item storage, including a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. Models with second-row captain's chairs had a large centre console for that row. While a power liftgate was available, there was no power-folding third row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing up to 2,812 kilograms and V8 models up to 3,946 kilograms.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's interior felt spacious, with headroom and legroom similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. However, it lacked the commanding driving position of a traditional SUV. The high side sills and deep dashboard created a unique feel. Cargo space was 722 litres with the second row in place and 1,673 litres with the seats folded, less than a gasoline Blazer but more than an EV6. The Blazer EV featured a "presence activated" liftgate and lacked a frunk.

The Blazer EV's interior offered expected small-item storage, including a secure phone parking area and a decent-sized centre console. Some climate controls and headlight buttons were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while the GT grade and above received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen featuring the current Uconnect 5 system. The infotainment experience was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality for SRT models, including a burnout-themed animation and a racing helmet-clad figure in the climate control menu.

The SRT and SRT Hellcat models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information such as timers, a g-force meter, and engine parameters. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a new Google-based infotainment system with built-in Google apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. However, standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were eliminated, offering deeper functionality for Android users but limited options for iOS users. The Blazer EV featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, both with sharp graphics. The system included built-in route planning and over-the-air software updates.

The user experience was generally positive, with well-designed layouts. However, the touchscreen's angle towards the driver could be inconvenient for passengers. The Blazer EV also featured a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift towards a high-tech feel.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in crash tests. The IIHS awarded top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. AWD versions received a three-star rollover resistance rating. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, with optional forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. It came with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system was standard on SS and optional on RS, providing advanced driver assistance capabilities.