Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Toyota Highlander

The Durango has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Highlander LE/XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Durango has standard Rear Cross Path Detection, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Highlander LE/XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the Durango and the Highlander 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, rearview cameras, 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 Toyota Highlander:

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 Toyota Highlander:

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

There are almost 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Toyota 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 14th.

The Durango’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 28 more horsepower (293 vs. 265) than the Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (295 vs. 265) than the Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 95 more horsepower (360 vs. 265) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 310) than the Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Durango has 6.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander (24.6 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Durango’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Highlander are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Highlander (265/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander (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 Highlander L/LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The Durango R/T’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Highlander XSE/Limited/Platinum’s 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 Highlander 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 Highlander; 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 Highlander’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 Highlander doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Durango has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Highlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the Highlander (119.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango has .4 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more third row headroom and 5.5 inches more third row legroom than the Highlander.

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

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Highlander’s (6200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Highlander is only 5000 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 Highlander can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango has a higher standard payload capacity than the Highlander (1400 vs. 1330 lbs.).

The Durango has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Highlander (1450 vs. 1390 lbs.).

The Durango uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander 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 Highlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Durango (except SXT)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Highlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 Highlander’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Highlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.