2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The black molding strips on the roof were removed, and the windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip. The test model was showcased in a Nordic Forest Pearl color, adding to its refined aesthetic. Inside, the HR-V's interior echoed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that concealed the vents, touch-sensitive lights, and a sculptural center console. The EX-L trim, in particular, offered perforated leather seats and dual-zone climate control, creating a comfortable and upscale cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained its familiar yet attractive design, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. Its clean, car-like styling was complemented by forward-leaning headlights and a distinctive "racetrack" taillight design. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle yet unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango's interior, while not as distinctive as its exterior, offered a pleasant environment with materials suited to its price point. The Citadel trim added luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats. Despite its age, the Durango's design updates kept it competitive in the market.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous model, and the updated CVT with Step-Shift function aimed to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered various drive modes, including Normal, Snow, ECON, and Sport, each tailored to different driving conditions. While the HR-V was fun to drive, especially on winding roads, it was not overpowered compared to competitors like the Kia Seltos and Ford Bronco Sport, which offered multiple powertrain options.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, on the other hand, boasted a range of powertrains. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivered 293 horsepower, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 offered 360 horsepower and a classic V8 rumble. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 horsepower, achieving impressive acceleration figures. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 horsepower, resulting in a zero to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango Hellcat provided exhilarating acceleration and a thrilling driving experience, supported by adaptive-damping suspension and performance tires.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but it still provided ample space with 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's interior volume varied slightly between trims, with the EX-L offering 97.3 cubic feet of passenger volume. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a nearly flat floor when folded.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seating configurations for six or seven passengers, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench. The Citadel and SRT models featured second-row captain's chairs. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, though it offered less cargo space than some rivals. It provided 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 capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style infotainment system with a physical knob for power and volume control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also boasted a 9-inch infotainment display, a wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V's technology package included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display, with the EX-L offering a larger 9-inch display.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system provided a user-friendly experience, with the larger screen offering the latest Uconnect 5 version. The SRT models included Performance Pages, allowing drivers to access performance data. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The HR-V also featured traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. While the 2023 model had not been crash-tested, the 2022 HR-V received favorable safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with improvements expected for the new model year.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings. The IIHS awarded it "Good" marks in some tests but "Marginal" 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, but advanced features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were limited to higher trims.