Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Durango are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Durango and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Durango is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The Durango has more powerful engines than the X3:

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The X3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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 X3 requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (24.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Durango’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Durango stops shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the X3 (265/60R18 vs. 245/50R19). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (295/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

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 X3; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

The Durango offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the X3 (119.8 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive:

The Durango has standard seating for 7 passengers; the X3 can only carry 5.

The Durango has 40 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (141.4 vs. 101.4).

The Durango has .9 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the X3.

The Durango’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (6200 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is only 4400 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 X3 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Durango uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Durango has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X3 (1400 vs. 902 lbs.).

The Durango has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1450 vs. 941 lbs.).

The Durango (except SXT)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Durango has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Durango’s headlight performance “Good” to “Very Good” (depending on model and options), a higher rating than the X3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Durango (except SXT) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $990 less than the X3 over a five-year period.

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 X3 only retains 49.78% to 50.55%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the X3 because it costs $327 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the X3, including $575 less for a water pump, $661 less for a muffler, $26 less for front brake pads, $263 less for a starter, $317 less for fuel injection, $71 less for a fuel pump, $90 less for front struts, $142 less for a timing belt/chain and $848 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $3176 to $8431 less than for the BMW X3.