Compare the2022 Dodge DurangoVS 2022 GMC Yukon

The Dodge Durango has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Yukon doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Durango has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Yukon doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Durango has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Yukon’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Durango has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Yukon.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Durango uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Yukon uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Durango and the Yukon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front parking sensors.

The Durango’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Yukon’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 42 percent more Dodge dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Durango has a standard 850-amp battery. The Yukon only offers a standard 800-amp battery.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge 17th in reliability. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 6 places higher in reliability than GMC.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the GMC Yukon 5.3 V8:

On the EPA test cycle the Durango gets better mileage than the Yukon:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Dodge Durango uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The Yukon with the 6.2 V8 engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Dodge Durango higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the GMC Yukon (3 to 5). This means the Durango produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Yukon every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Durango’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Yukon:

The Durango stops shorter than the Yukon:

For better traction, the Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Yukon (295/45R20 vs. 275/60R20).

The Durango SXT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Yukon’s standard 65 series tires. The Durango R/T’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Yukon’s optional 50 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Durango can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Yukon doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Durango GT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Yukon Denali 4x4 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Yukon AT4 4x4 (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 30.6 seconds @ .51 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Yukon (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 750 pounds less than the GMC Yukon.

The Durango is 9.2 inches shorter than the Yukon, making the Durango easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Durango is 5.2 inches narrower than the Yukon, making the Durango easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

Unibody construction lowers the Durango’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Yukon uses body-on-frame design instead.

The front step up height for the Durango is 3.7 inches lower than the Yukon (19.5” vs. 23.2”). The Durango’s rear step up height is 4 inches lower than the Yukon’s (19.5” vs. 23.5”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Durango easier. The Durango’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.4 inches, while the Yukon’s liftover is 37 inches.

Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Yukon is limited to 8400 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Yukon doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Durango will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Durango will retain 47.45% to 50.91% of its original price after five years, while the Yukon only retains 45.33% to 46.75%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the Yukon because it costs $364 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the Yukon, including $215 less for a water pump, $582 less for a muffler, $142 less for fuel injection, $130 less for a fuel pump and $297 less for a timing belt/chain.