Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2022 Lexus RXL

Both the Durango and the RXL 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.

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 Lexus RXL:

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 Lexus RXL:

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

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.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Durango has a standard 850-amp battery (700 V8). The RXL’s 580-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 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 has more powerful engines than the RXL:

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The RXL 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 RX 450hL requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 19.2 gallons).

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

The Durango stops shorter than the RXL:

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

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 RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The Durango R/T’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RXL’s optional 55 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 RXL 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 RXL; 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 RXL’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 RXL doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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

The Durango R/T 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the RX 350L (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Durango has 24.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RXL (141.4 vs. 117).

The Durango has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 7.7 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more third row headroom, 10 inches more third row legroom and 4.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the RXL.

The front step up height for the Durango is .8 inches lower than the RXL (19.7” vs. 20.5”). The Durango’s rear step up height is 1.1 inches lower than the RXL’s (19.7” vs. 20.8”).

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

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RXL’s (6200 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RXL is only 3500 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 RXL can’t be towed flat on the ground.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Durango, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the RXL.

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RXL. 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 RXL 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 RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $590 to $3505 less than the RXL over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the RXL, including $850 less for a water pump, $162 less for a muffler, $1 less for front brake pads, $262 less for a starter, $81 less for fuel injection, $1088 less for a timing belt/chain and $1453 less for a power steering pump.