Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2022 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Durango are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

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 X7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW 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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

On the EPA test cycle the Durango gets better mileage than the X7:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The X7 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 X7 requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the X7 (24.6 vs. 21.9 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 BMW X7 (3). This means the Durango produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X7 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 BMW X7 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The Durango stops much shorter than the X7:

For better traction, the Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X7 (295/45R20 vs. 285/35R23).

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 X7; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

The Durango R/T 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the X7 xDrive40i pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Durango’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the X7’s (41 feet vs. 42.8 feet).

The Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 650 pounds less than the BMW X7.

The Durango has .5 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more third row headroom, .2 inches more third row legroom and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

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 X7’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

The Durango’s cargo area is larger than the X7’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 X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X7’s (6200 vs. 5950 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X7 is only 7500 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 X7 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 X7 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Durango has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X7 (1400 vs. 190 lbs.).

The Durango has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X7 (1450 vs. 1254 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 X7 does not have a temperature gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Durango has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Durango (except SXT) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Durango is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $5810 to $11490 less than the X7 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 X7 only retains 46.76% to 47.92%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $40496 to $76428 less than for the BMW X7.

The Dodge Durango outsold the BMW X7 by almost two to one during the 2022 model year.