2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Dodge Durango entered its 12th model year without a redesign, yet it retained an attractive and familiar appearance. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. The Durango's 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 styling options, while the interior, though less distinctive, offered a pleasant environment with materials suited to various price points.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a true crossover, sharing its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry. It was larger than its competitors, with a length of 5,115 millimetres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase, providing a spacious interior. The Grand Highlander's design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles. Its trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights resembled Toyota's off-roading SUV, the 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered black Softex synthetic leather on the XLE trim, with real leather available on higher trims. The interior featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Grand Highlander excelled as a comfortable and well-built road-trip vehicle, with quality materials and seamless fit and finish.

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. 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 naturally-aspirated Hemi V8, generating 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The SRT Hellcat model took performance to another level with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching zero to 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. The Durango's size didn't hinder its acceleration, providing a thrilling experience, while adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and Brembo brakes ensured power was manageable.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, generated 362 horsepower and 400 combined net pound-feet of torque. All powertrains featured AWD in Canada. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration, with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander prioritized comfort over sporty performance, with solid brakes and adequate acceleration. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. The Grand Highlander excelled in providing a comfortable and well-sorted driving experience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in 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. The Durango offered competitive interior space, with headroom and legroom comparable to other midsize SUVs. Cargo space measured 487 litres with all three rows in place, 1,226 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing up to 2,812 kilograms, while V8 models could tow up to 3,946 kilograms.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. It offered more storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, surpassing the Kia Telluride. With seats in position, it provided 1,640 litres behind the second-row seats and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander was spacious and comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row. Its big greenhouse offered good outward visibility, and even the third row accommodated six-foot adults comfortably.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while the GT grade and higher received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both versions used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen featuring the current Uconnect 5 system. The SRT and SRT Hellcat models included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information on the main touchscreen. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning experience. An intelligent assistant, available via a connected-services subscription, responded to voice commands. The subscription also included cloud-based navigation and 24/7 live agent assistance. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with a three-month trial.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in crash tests. The IIHS awarded it 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 driver-assist tech included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Platinum grade offered traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings.