2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of other brands, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim lines and forward-leaning headlights. The Durango avoided oversized grilles, instead featuring a large lower air intake that provided presence without excess. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights added a distinctive touch. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, such as a Viper-like hood with functional air inlets 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, provided a pleasant environment with materials suited to various price points.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed to project a tougher image with its aggressive styling. The SUV featured a frowning front end, angular gray body cladding, and dual exhaust outlets that hinted at performance. Upper trims included fake skid plates, and the TRD Off-Road model, with its Army Green color, stood out with a base price of $38,295. The RAV4's interior focused on practicality, with utility-driven features like storage shelves and rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim offered SofTex artificial leather upholstery and optional features like heated and ventilated seats. The RAV4's cabin was comfortable, with excellent outward visibility and a spacious cargo area, making it a practical choice for recreational activities.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. The 5.7-liter 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 featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The Durango SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds, and its adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes ensured control.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine required high revs to access maximum power. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring AWD system. The TRD Off-Road model featured exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires. Multi-Terrain Select offered various driving modes, but the TRD Off-Road's ground clearance and approach angles were similar to other RAV4 models. The RAV4's off-road suspension provided a comfortable ride on daily commutes, and the AWD system managed power distribution effectively. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg combined, with a test average of 26.6 mpg.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom comparable to rivals. However, the Durango's cargo space was less than the Chevrolet Traverse, offering 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality and utility, with storage shelves, trays, and oversized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Optional features included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The RAV4's driver’s seat was comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. The rear seat accommodated four adults comfortably, with good legroom and footroom. The RAV4 offered a 37.6 cubic-foot cargo area, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system, available in both versions, was responsive and user-friendly. The SRT models included Performance Pages, providing performance data on the touchscreen. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 boasted the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, with a standard 8-inch and available 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system included Service Connect and Safety Connect for ten years, Remote Connect for one year, and Drive Connect for one year. Wi-Fi Connect transformed the RAV4 into an internet hotspot. The infotainment system was sophisticated, but lacked a multi-panel Home screen and had some usability issues. The RAV4 offered a JBL premium audio system and an optional digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with "Good" marks in moderate front overlap and side tests, but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded the Durango 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 features available on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a comprehensive ADAS suite. However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring. TSS 2.5 performed adequately, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist working well on straighter highways. The RAV4 lost its IIHS Top Safety Pick award due to a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test.