The GMC Yukon is completely redesigned for 2021. It has more third-row legroom, more cargo space, advanced technology and a new off-roading AT4 trim joins the lineup. All Yukon engines are now paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and later in the model year, a diesel powertrain will add to the two V8 options. Let’s compare it to the 2021 Dodge Durango with its refreshed interior and exterior styling and new SRT Hellcat model and see the differences.
Design/Price
The redesigned Yukon has one of the most upscale interiors in the large SUV class. It seats up to nine people or seven with optional second-row bucket seats. All seats provide plenty of head- and legroom to ride comfortably. The Yukon provides 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seats, expands to 72.6 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded down and 122.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. It comes standard with cloth Upholstery and available with leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats. An available Luxury package that includes a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, heated outboard-second-row seats, and power folding third row is an option. The Yukon comes in four trims: SLT, SLT, AT4, and Denali. A starting price of $50,700 comes with the SLT and ranges to a starting price of $68,400 for the Denali. Add-on packages will add to their pricing.
The 2021 Dodge Durango has gone through a refresh for this model year with a revised interior and a more aggressive exterior design. It features a distinctive square-shouldered beefy design. There are more soft-wrapped surfaces and better stitching on touch points, with available upgrades including a leather center console and armrests, carbon fiber accents and a unique headliner. The Durango base model seats five people across two rows, while a two-seat third row is optional for seating up to seven. There is 17.2 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seats, 43.3 cubic feet when you fold down the third row, and a maximum of 85.1 cubic feet when you fold down both the second and third rows. The Durango comes in six trims: SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, SRT 392, and a new SRT Hellcat. The SXT starting price is $31,765 and ranges to a starting price of $80,995 for the range topping SRT Hellcat.
Safety and Technology
The Yukon offers standard advanced safety features, plus additional add-on packages for more advanced features. Features include forward collision mitigation, rearview camera, rear seat reminder, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, front and rear parking sensors, as well as keyless entry and ignition. Optional tire-pressure monitoring sensors for trailer, Max Trailering package that includes trailer brake controller, heavy-duty cooling system, and two-speed active transfer case (4WD only), a Pro-Safety Plus package that includes blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert are all options. It also offers plenty of easy-to-use cabin technology, with added features on each trim level. A large infotainment display with GMC’s latest easy-to-use IntelliLink interface with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six speakers, satellite radio, HD radio, Wi-Fi hot spot, six USB ports, and Bluetooth are standard. Available on higher trims is a 9 or 14--speaker Bose audio system, wireless charging pad, navigation, and several optional technology packages.
A rearview camera is the only driver safety feature that comes standard in the Durango. Available options include front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. A proximity keyless entry is also available, as well as remote start. A standard Uconnect infotainment system comes standard in the Durango, with a 7-inch instrument cluster display, an 8.4-inch touch screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, voice recognition, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, and four USB ports. Options include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, radio, a 10.1-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD radio, navigation, Amazon Alexa, a nine-speaker Alpine premium stereo, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo, a rear-seat entertainment system, wireless device charging, and two additional USB ports.
Performance
The Yukon delivers a powerful performance for just about every driving situation in its base engine, but can deliver even more acceleration with its available larger engine. All trims, except the Denali feature a 5.3-liter engine with 355 horsepower and 383 lb ft of torque. The Denali features a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb ft of torque. All are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. A new turbodiesel, 277 horsepower engine will join its lineup later in this model year. It’s ride is cushioned over road surfaces and is composed and easy to maneuver on winding roads. For its off-road ability, stick to the AT4 trim that comes with a two-speed transfer case and skid plates. It averages 16/20 mpg in the city and on the highway; and can tow up to 8,400 pounds.
The Dodge Durango comes equipped with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that puts out 293 horsepower with a single exhaust or 295 horsepower with an available dual exhaust and 260 pound-ft of torque. This engine will seem less powerful and doesn’t handle well when accelerating at higher speeds, but it is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers smart and timely shifts to make the most of the engine’s power. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi engine that puts out 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque or a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that puts out 475 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque is an option in the Durango R/T and Durango SRT. The power king, SRT Hellcat, features the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. When properly equipped with this engine, it can tow up to 6,200 and up to 7,400 pounds with the 5.7-liter V8 engine. An optional Tow N Go package will increase the R/T’s towing capacity to 8,700. It gets an estimated 19/26 mpg city and highway with rear-wheel drive and 18/25 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive.
Overall
The 2021 GMC Yukon features a comfortable ride, with its generous space and cargo room, and powerful base engines, as well as an easy-to-use technology interface and upscale interior. The 2021 Dodge Durango features some powerful engines in its higher trims, but it doesn’t provide the cargo room, and standard features of the Yukon.