Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Infiniti QX60

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 QX60 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the QX60 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 12 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Infiniti 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 Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 25th, 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 Infiniti 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, Infiniti is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 1 place higher in reliability than Infiniti.

The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 65 more horsepower (360 vs. 295) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The QX60 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 QX60 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 QX60 (24.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Infiniti QX60 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

For better stopping power the Durango R/T’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX60:

The Durango stops shorter than the QX60:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the QX60 (265/60R18 vs. 255/50R20). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX60 (295/45R20 vs. 255/50R20).

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 QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

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 QX60 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 QX60; 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 QX60’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 QX60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the QX60 (119.8 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the QX60’s (55.1% to 44.9%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (8.1 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango has 2.3 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more third row headroom and 5.5 inches more third row legroom than the QX60.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX60’s (6200 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Infiniti QX60 is only 6000 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 QX60 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX60. 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 QX60 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. The QX60 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the Durango’s headlight performance “Good” to “Very Good” (depending on model and options), a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $670 to $2770 less than the QX60 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 QX60 only retains 43.55% to 44.5%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $10099 to $14844 less than for the Infiniti QX60.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Infiniti QX60 by over four to one during the 2022 model year.