2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, simulating large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model contributed to its bold look. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, offered a more cohesive design, especially when paired with a dark paint color. The Outback was available in six trim levels, with the Onyx Edition becoming more accessible due to its availability with the base powertrain, starting at $33,495. The interior of the Touring trim was particularly appealing, featuring Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery and a cohesive design with contrasting stitching and upscale materials.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained its familiar yet attractive styling. It avoided the trend of oversized grilles, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim lines and forward-leaning headlights. The signature "racetrack" taillights at the back gave it a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels, but these were subtle. The Durango offered various appearance packages, such as the Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package, allowing for customization. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, was comfortable and offered luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats in higher trims. The Durango also expanded its color palette for 2023, adding new options like Frostbite and Night Moves.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard 2.5-liter engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. However, the power was often insufficient for passing and climbing, and the fuel economy was lower than expected, with a combined 25.6 mpg. The Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but at a higher cost and reduced fuel efficiency. All Outback models featured an Active Torque Split AWD system and an X-Mode traction system for off-road capabilities. The Outback excelled in handling challenging terrain and offered excellent visibility and maneuverability in urban settings. However, the standard engine lacked urgency, and the CVT struggled to provide adequate acceleration.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T trim, 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 impressive acceleration times. The SRT Hellcat model took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Durango's size did not hinder its acceleration, providing a thrilling experience. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes ensured the power was manageable, although the Durango felt awkward on twisty roads.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. The rear seats were also heated, providing warmth in cold climates. The Outback offered ample legroom and storage space, with 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle's height made entry and exit easy, and the roof rack was ready for accessories. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space in the cabin.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench. Higher trims offered second-row captain's chairs. The Durango provided competitive interior space compared to other midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom similar to rivals. However, it offered less cargo space, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 85.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Durango excelled in small-item storage, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. It also had a high towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds. However, the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback in higher trims.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all trims except the Base, which had a 7-inch screen. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, with other functions embedded in the touchscreen. The base system offered Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while higher trims provided wireless connectivity and access to Starlink connected services. The system's usability improved for 2023, but the graphics and voice recognition were lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, but a surround-view camera was not available.

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 had 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 the SRT Hellcat. The Durango's tech updates kept it competitive with newer rivals.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The system added new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions, earning top marks from the IIHS. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems felt artificial and intrusive. The rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways, requiring manual deactivation.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with top marks in some IIHS tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with five stars in the side crash test. The Durango offered limited standard driver-assist tech, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims. Forward collision warning and other features were standard only on the Citadel trim.