2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 trim level and added $3,330 to its price. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique badges and stitching. It was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. The 40 ASE had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $54,380. The 4Runner's design harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the past, with a solid and quality interior, despite the abundance of plastic. The controls were straightforward and user-friendly, even with gloves on.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained its familiar yet attractive appearance. It avoided oversized grilles, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim headlights and a distinctive rear "racetrack" taillight design. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional styling options. The Durango's interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable environment with materials suited to their price points. The Citadel trim added luxury features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats. The SRT Hellcat test car featured bold red leather upholstery.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and had a fuel economy rating of 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The 4Runner featured two 4WD systems, with the Limited trim offering a full-time 4WD system. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like a locking rear differential and Crawl Control. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions but was less refined on paved roads, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 horsepower, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 with 710 horsepower. The Hellcat's acceleration was impressive, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 3.5 seconds. The Durango's size made it less agile on twisty roads, but it excelled on highways with minimal wind and tire noise. The adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes provided confidence-inspiring handling.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The interior offered comfortable seats, with the Limited trim offering ventilated leather seats. The 4Runner had dual-zone climate control and ample storage, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating was spacious, with good legroom and USB charging ports. The optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. The cargo area offered 1,337 litres of space with the third row removed, and the tailgate doubled as a seat.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. Interior space was competitive with other three-row SUVs, though the Durango offered less cargo space than some rivals. It provided 487 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, 1,226 litres with the third row folded, and 2,409 litres behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 2,812 kilograms and V8 models up to 3,946 kilograms. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real knobs and buttons. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while higher trims featured 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 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The 4Runner received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

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