2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking blend of luxury and style, drawing clear design inspiration from its sedan sibling, the G70. Its split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that curved from behind the rear window were standout features, giving it a coupe-like SUV appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, featuring top-notch materials and an aesthetic that was both contemporary and classic. The dashboard was equipped with a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface that was superior to the touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained its familiar yet attractive design, avoiding the oversized grille trend and opting for a clean, car-like styling. The Durango's exterior was marked by slim styling and forward-leaning headlights, with Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights adding a distinctive touch. The SRT models featured unique styling elements like a Viper-like hood and dual exhaust outlets, while the interior offered a comfortable space with materials suited to various price points. The Durango's interior was less distinctive than its exterior, but models like the Citadel added luxurious features such as Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The Electrified GV70 featured a 77.4-kWh battery powering two electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 383 kilometres and supported fast charging, making it a practical choice for those seeking an electric luxury SUV.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 producing 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat's performance was impressive, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds, making it a thrilling option for those seeking muscle car performance in an SUV.

The Genesis GV70 provided 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with the seats in use, offering ample room for a compact luxury SUV. The interior featured decently large cupholders and a helpful tray in the centre console, though rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for comfort. The GV70's hands-free power liftgate added convenience for loading and unloading cargo.

The Dodge Durango offered both seven-seat and six-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom comparable to other three-row midsize SUVs. However, its cargo space was less generous, with 487 litres behind the third row, 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 capable of towing up to 2,812 kilograms and V8 models up to 3,946 kilograms. While a power liftgate was available, the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback for higher-end models.

The Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation, complemented by a rotary dial and helpful buttons. The GV70 also offered four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an available Lexicon 18-speaker audio system.

The Dodge Durango's lower trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Uconnect infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with added personality in the form of Easter Eggs for SRT models. The Performance Pages app provided performance information, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims.

The Genesis GV70 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, indicating its strong safety credentials.

The Dodge Durango's safety ratings were mixed, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" score in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but other driver-assist technologies were not standard across all trims.