Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Tesla Model Y

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 Model Y doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Durango’s standard Rear Cross Path Detection uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Durango offers optional Uconnect 9-1-1, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Durango and the Model Y 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, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front parking sensors.

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 Tesla Model Y:

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

There are almost 16 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Tesla 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 Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

For better stopping power the Durango R/T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model Y:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Model Y (265/60R18 vs. 255/45R19). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model Y (295/45R20 vs. 255/35R21).

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 Model Y 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 Model Y; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Model Y’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 Model Y doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the Model Y (119.8 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8.1 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the Model Y Long Range (67 vs. 68 dB).

The Durango has 35.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model Y (141.4 vs. 106).

The Durango has 3.2 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear hip room, 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.2 inches more third row headroom, 7 inches more third row legroom, 5.9 inches more third row hip room and 9.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Model Y.

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

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model Y’s (6200 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Tesla Model Y 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 Model Y 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 Model Y doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Durango to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model Y.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Durango has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports rated the Durango’s headlight performance “Good” to “Very Good” (depending on model and options), a higher rating than the Model Y’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Durango’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Durango has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Durango (except SXT) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model Y doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Model Y doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Durango is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Model Y 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 $2705 to $4225 less than the Model Y over a five-year period.