Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 GMC Acadia

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the Acadia 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Durango is safer than the GMC Acadia:

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

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 GMC Acadia:

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

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

There are over 43 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 (700 V8). The Acadia’s 660-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 7th.

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 GMC 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, GMC is rated lower.

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.

The Durango has more powerful engines than the Acadia:

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 Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Acadia FWD’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Acadia AWD’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 21.7 gallons).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Dodge Durango at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The GMC Acadia is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

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

The Durango stops shorter than the Acadia:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Acadia (265/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Acadia (295/45R20 vs. 255/65R17).

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 Acadia SLE/SLT’s standard 65 series tires. The Durango R/T’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango SXT has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer run-flat 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 Acadia; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Acadia (119.8 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Acadia’s (56.5% to 43.5%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (8.1 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango has 1.3 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room, .6 inches more third row headroom and 3.8 inches more third row legroom than the Acadia.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Durango. The Acadia doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (6200 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Acadia is only 4000 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 Acadia 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 Acadia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Acadia. 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 Acadia does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Durango’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

On a hot day the Durango’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Durango’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Acadia only retains 47.29% to 50.03%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because it costs $291 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the Acadia, including $167 less for a water pump, $82 less for a muffler, $59 less for front brake pads, $75 less for fuel injection, $226 less for a timing belt/chain and $443 less for a power steering pump.

The Dodge Durango outsold the GMC Acadia by 21% during the 2022 model year.