Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Ford Explorer

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 Explorer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the Explorer 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.

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 Ford Explorer:

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Durango has a standard 850-amp battery. The Explorer only offers a 760-amp battery.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Durango’s reliability 22 points higher than the Explorer.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 10th.

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 Ford 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, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 12 places higher in reliability than Ford.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V6 is faster than the Ford Explorer V6 hybrid gas:

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The Explorer 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 Explorer ST/Platinum/King Ranch/Timberline requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 6.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 20.2 gallons).

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

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

The Durango stops shorter than the Explorer:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Explorer (265/60R18 vs. 255/65R18). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Explorer (295/45R20 vs. 275/45R21).

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 Explorer’s standard 65 series tires.

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 Explorer; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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 Explorer’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 Explorer doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Durango R/T 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the Explorer Limited 4WD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Explorer Limited 4WD (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer ST (8.1 vs. 7.9 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 Explorer ST 4WD:

The Durango has 1.3 inches more third row legroom and 1.5 inches more third row hip room than the Explorer.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (6200 vs. 3000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Explorer is only 5600 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 Explorer can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Explorer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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 Explorer does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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. A locking fuel door is only offered on the Explorer Hybrid.

The Durango’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Explorer XLT/Limited/ST-Line/Timberline/King Ranch/ST/Platinum.

When the Durango with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the Explorer because typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the Explorer, including $187 less for a water pump, $302 less for a muffler and $346 less for a power steering pump.