Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Lexus GX

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Durango uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Durango and the GX 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.

There are almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus 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 GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Durango has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Durango optional and 220 optional). The GX’s 130-amp alternator 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 Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 59 more horsepower (360 vs. 301) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Lexus GX:

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

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Durango V6’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

The Durango has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX (24.6 vs. 23 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Dodge Durango higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the Durango produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Dodge Durango at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Lexus GX is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Durango, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

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

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

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 GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango offers optional 20-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 GX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Dodge Durango has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the GX (119.8 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Durango is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The Durango GT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GX (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the Durango’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the GX (38 vs. 43 dB).

The Durango has 11.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (141.4 vs. 129.7).

The Durango has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room, .4 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.6 inches more third row headroom and 4.2 inches more third row legroom than the GX.

The front step up height for the Durango is 2 inches lower than the GX (19.7” vs. 21.7”). The Durango’s rear step up height is 2.3 inches lower than the GX’s (19.7” vs. 22”).

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

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Durango easier. The Durango’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.4 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

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

The Durango’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Durango offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX is limited to 6500 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 GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango has a higher standard payload capacity than the GX (1400 vs. 1295 lbs.).

The Durango has a higher maximum payload capacity than the GX (1450 vs. 1295 lbs.).

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 GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Durango’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Durango’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Durango’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Durango is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 GX only retains 46.1% to 47.91%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the GX, including $173 less for a water pump, $223 less for a muffler, $309 less for a starter, $200 less for fuel injection, $76 less for a fuel pump, $309 less for a timing belt/chain and $489 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 $12296 to $22752 less than for the Lexus GX.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Lexus GX by 69% during the 2022 model year.