Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Acura MDX

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 MDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the MDX 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, 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 9 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Durango’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 18 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 5 more horsepower (360 vs. 355) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ optional 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Durango 3.6 DOHC V6 4x4 gets better fuel mileage than the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 (18 city/25 hwy vs. 17 city/21 hwy).

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 MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (24.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Durango’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

The Durango stops shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R19). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MDX (295/45R20 vs. 275/40R21).

The Durango offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the MDX (119.8 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the MDX’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.1 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the MDX Type S (67 vs. 68 dB).

The Durango has 2.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (141.4 vs. 139.1).

The Durango has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more third row headroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom and 1.8 inches more third row hip room than the MDX.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (6200 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura MDX SH-AWD is only 5000 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango V8 4WD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Durango can be unhitched and driven around locally. The MDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1400 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The Durango has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1450 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Durango’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The MDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Durango and the MDX 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 MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Durango’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The MDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 51.72% to 54.97% of its original price after five years, while the MDX only retains 45.63% to 46.51%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $5315 to $12552 less than for the Acura MDX.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Acura MDX by 16% during the 2022 model year.