2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of some competitors, opting for clean, car-like styling. The Durango avoided the trend of oversized grilles, instead featuring slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, giving it a strong presence. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, such as a Viper-like hood with a functional centre air inlet and heat extractors, but these were subtle. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional styling options, while the interior, though less distinctive, offered a pleasant environment with materials suited to various price points.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a fresher design. It was lower, wider, and longer than the CX-5, with a stretched wheelbase. The broad-shouldered proportions were emphasized by square wheel arches and fake air vents. The CX-50 was available in three trim levels in Canada: GS-L, GT, and Meridian Edition. The Meridian Edition, our test car, enhanced the active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The earthy colour palette and Terracotta leather upholstery added to its appeal. The interior design was pleasing, with impressive material quality and fit and finish for a non-luxury brand. However, the CX-50 didn't fully meet Mazda's upscale aspirations, with some features like manually adjustable passenger seats reminding buyers of Mazda's traditional market position.

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, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD standard in Canada. 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 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's acceleration was exhilarating, though its size made it somewhat awkward on twisty roads. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes ensured power was manageable.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the turbo version offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, plus a Towing mode on turbo models. The CX-50's towing capacity increased to 1,587 kg with the turbo engine. While sharing powertrains with the CX-5, the CX-50 offered a different driving experience, more aligned with other segment models. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires limited grip and increased noise, with the roof platform adding wind noise. Despite these, the CX-50 was well-mannered, making it a good daily driver.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a 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. Interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, though cargo space was less than some rivals, offering 487 litres with all seats up, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and USB ports. Towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models capable of 2,812 kg and V8 models up to 3,946 kg.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom. It compared closely to rivals like the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V in legroom, with 5 cm more rear-seat legroom than the Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was 889 litres with rear seats up and 1,595 litres with them folded, slightly less than the CX-5. The power liftgate eased cargo access, but the area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage, despite a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console.

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 connectivity. Both used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen offering the current Uconnect 5 version. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality for SRT models, including a burnout-themed animation and a racing helmet figure in the climate control menu. The SRT and SRT Hellcat models also included the Performance Pages app, providing performance data. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the centre console. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with dual USB ports. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The interface required adjustment but was manageable once accustomed. The system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, appealing to those preferring simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results from the IIHS, with top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded 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 driver-assist 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 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for front-crash prevention in the vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime test. However, it received a "Basic" score for the nighttime test, and standard headlights were rated "Average." NHTSA ratings were incomplete, with a five-star frontal crash-test rating and four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and a driver attention monitor, with additional optional features.