2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The Jeep Wrangler’s roots go all the way back to World War II and the Willys-Overland company. Fast-forward some 60 years or so and we have the iconic Jeep Wrangler JL, one of the last body-on-frame SUVs left for folks who prioritize off-road capability over creature comforts.

Every Wrangler comes with solid front and rear axles and a five-link suspension system. However, some popular trim levels, like the Wrangler Sport, Wrangler Willys Sport, and Wrangler Sahara, don’t get locking differentials or meaty tires, so choose your Wrangler carefully.

The evolution of the Dodge Durango exemplifies how the Stellantis brand has evolved from a mainstream competitor to Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, and Toyota into a niche brand emphasizing muscle-car attitude.

The Durango was Dodge's first modern SUV, arriving for the 1998 model year as the brand's entry into the midsize SUV segment. The current, third-generation Durango dates all the way back to the 2011 model year. But, as Dodge has found with the Challenger coupe and Charger sedan, a vehicle's lifespan can be greatly extended with an added dose of horsepower.

The 2023 Dodge Durango lineup starts with the base SXT trim level and moves up through the GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT 392. Changes for 2023 for Canada include standard heated front seats and heated steering wheel and some new colours (bringing the total colour palette to nine).

However, the big news for 2023 is the return of the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and its devilish supercharged V8 engine. The Hellcat was previously available only for the 2021 model year as a limited edition, but now it's a regular production model. That being the case, the Hellcat ended up as our test vehicle for this Dodge Durango review.