Compare the2022 Dodge DurangoVS 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

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 Land Cruiser uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Durango and the Land Cruiser have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front parking sensors.

There are almost 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much 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 (700 V8). The Land Cruiser’s 650-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Toyota Land Cruiser:

On the EPA test cycle the Durango gets better mileage than the Land Cruiser:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Durango V6’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 Toyota Land Cruiser (3). This means the Durango produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Land Cruiser every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Dodge Durango at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Toyota Land Cruiser is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

For better stopping power the Durango R/T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Land Cruiser:

The Durango’s standard brakes have 13% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Land Cruiser (581 vs. 515 square inches), so the Durango has more braking power available. The Durango R/T’s brakes have 42% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Land Cruiser (729 vs. 515 square inches), so the Durango R/T has more braking power available.

The Durango stops shorter than the Land Cruiser:

For better traction, the Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Land Cruiser (295/45R20 vs. 285/60R18).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Land Cruiser’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 Land Cruiser doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Dodge Durango has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota Land Cruiser has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Durango offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Land Cruiser’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Durango offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the Land Cruiser (119.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Durango GT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Land Cruiser pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Land Cruiser (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 950 pounds less than the Toyota Land Cruiser.

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 Land Cruiser uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the Land Cruiser (38 vs. 41 dB).

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the Land Cruiser.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the Land Cruiser Heritage Edition.

The Durango’s cargo area is larger than the Land Cruiser’s in almost every dimension:

The Durango’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Land Cruiser’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Land Cruiser is limited to 8100 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango has a higher standard payload capacity than the Land Cruiser (1400 vs. 1320 lbs.).

The Durango has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Land Cruiser (1420 vs. 1320 lbs.).

The Durango has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Land Cruiser doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The Durango offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Durango and the Land Cruiser have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Durango is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Land Cruiser prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Durango’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Land Cruiser’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Durango’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Land Cruiser’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Durango is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $6085 to $6820 less than the Land Cruiser over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $31834 to $42638 less than for the Toyota Land Cruiser.