2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past, where vehicles were often likened to rolling bricks. The XC90 presented a purposeful yet understated design, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. Its "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the 1980s and 90s. The XC90's dimensions remained somewhat rectilinear, but it was far from resembling a toaster. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding depth to its appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal speaker covers, a crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango, despite entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained an attractive and familiar appearance. Dodge opted for clean, car-like styling, avoiding oversized grilles. The Durango's slim design, forward-leaning headlights, and distinctive "racetrack" taillights gave it a unique presence. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle yet unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango offered various appearance packages, such as the Blacktop and Hemi Orange packages, allowing for customization. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable space with materials suited to different trim levels. The Durango Citadel added luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats, while the SRT Hellcat test car boasted bold red leather upholstery.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, featuring a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving, it improved fuel efficiency and provided a smoother operation. The XC90 offered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with minimal roll through corners and quick acceleration. Its eight-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the brakes inspired confidence. The XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics, with limited customizable modes, appealed to some drivers. During testing, it handled a New Hampshire snowstorm with ease, despite lacking dedicated winter tires.

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. 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 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 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 test car provided exhilarating acceleration, though its size made it less agile on twisty roads. On highways, it was a thrilling experience, with minimal wind and tire noise. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes ensured power was manageable.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. The lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items, including cell phones, was notable. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats proved challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with an option for captain's chairs at an additional cost. Accessing the third row was difficult with the bench seat in place, and space in the back row was limited. Cargo space measured 12.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The XC90's smaller size contributed to its car-like driving experience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs, with this setup optional on GT and R/T models. The Durango provided competitive interior space compared to other midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom comparable to rivals. Cargo space measured 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. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. However, the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback, especially on higher-end models. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard system. Google OS integrated Android Auto, Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. Natural-language recognition, powered by Google, enhanced the user experience. Owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions led to some frustration, as more physical buttons and redundant controls were desired. While the minimalist design was appealing, adjusting features like the heated steering wheel and seat position required screen interaction. Familiarity with the system would likely improve over time.

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, used across Stellantis vehicles, provided a responsive and user-friendly experience. The larger screen with Uconnect 5 offered added personality, including Easter Eggs for SRT models. The Performance Pages app, available on SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models, displayed performance information on the main touchscreen. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. The XC90 featured an impressive array of advanced driver safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which maintained distance from the car ahead at various speeds. These safety features were standard on the 2023 XC90.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in safety tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it "Good" marks in moderate front overlap, side, and roof strength tests, but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD versions received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models got three stars. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert standard on all trims, but forward collision warning and other features were only standard on the Citadel or part of an option package.