Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the Pathfinder 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 over 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

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 Pathfinder’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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

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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan 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 Nissan 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, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 3 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The Durango has more powerful engines than the Pathfinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder Rock Creek 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 Pathfinder (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 Nissan Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder:

The Durango stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

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

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 Pathfinder’s optional 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 Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Durango has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Pathfinder’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 Pathfinder’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 Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder (119.8 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Pathfinder’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

The Durango R/T 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the Pathfinder Platinum pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8.1 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Durango’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8.1 vs. 7.7 inches).

The Durango has .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and 5.5 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

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

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

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

The Durango uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder 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 engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Pathfinder. 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 Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Durango’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/Rock Creek/SL/Platinum.

The Durango’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Pathfinder offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $280 less than the Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder only retains 43.77% to 45.89%.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Nissan Pathfinder by 5% during the 2022 model year.