Compare the2024 GMC YukonVS 2023 Dodge Durango

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Yukon are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Durango doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Yukon (except SLE with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Durango doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Yukon Denali offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Durango doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Yukon AT4/Denali 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Durango doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Yukon’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Durango and is not available with SXT.

The Yukon (except SLE) offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Durango only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Yukon and the Durango have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Dodge Durango:

	Yukon	Durango
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	23%	34%
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	339/364 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	233	295
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	86 lbs.

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 GMC Yukon is safer than the Dodge Durango:

	Yukon	Durango
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	46
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	111 lbs.	111 lbs.
Hip Force	118 lbs.	236 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	34 G’s
Hip Force	248 lbs.	446 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	43 G’s

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

Warranty

The Yukon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Durango’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Yukon has larger alternators than the Durango:

	Yukon	Durango
Standard Alternator	220 amps	160 amps
Optional Alternator	250 amps	180 amps

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon second among large suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Durango isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Yukon has more powerful engines than the Durango:

	Horsepower	Torque
Yukon 5.3 V8	355 HP	383 lbs.-ft.
Yukon 6.2 V8	420 HP	460 lbs.-ft.
Durango 3.6 DOHC V6	293 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Durango 3.6 DOHC V6	295 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Durango 5.7 V8	360 HP	390 lbs.-ft.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 260) than the Durango’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 260) than the Durango’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6. The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 390) than the Durango’s optional 5.7 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Yukon 5.3 V8 is faster than the Dodge Durango V6:

	Yukon	Durango
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.6 MPH	86.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Yukon
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
Durango
	RWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	14 city/22 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/25 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	14 city/22 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the Yukon’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Dodge only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Durango V6.

The Yukon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Durango doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Yukon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Durango.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Yukon	Durango	Durango R/T
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.8 inches	15 inches

The Yukon stops shorter than the Durango:

	Yukon	Durango
60 to 0 MPH	123.2 feet	127.7 feet	Four Wheeler

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Yukon offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Durango’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Dodge Durango only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Yukon has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Durango doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Yukon has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Durango. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Durango (120.9 inches vs. 119.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon is 4.5 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Durango.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Durango’s (38.1 feet vs. 41 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Durango’s (39.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Durango (10 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Yukon uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Durango doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Durango can only carry 7.

The Yukon has 26.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Durango (168.3 vs. 141.4).

The Yukon has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 4.2 inches more front legroom, 4.5 inches more front hip room, 7.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.4 inches more rear legroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room, 7.1 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 1.4 inches more third row legroom, 7 inches more third row hip room and 12.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Durango.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Yukon	Durango
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	17.2 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.6 cubic feet	43.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	122.9 cubic feet	85.1 cubic feet

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

	Yukon	Durango
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/54”/89.5”	20”/50”/83”
Max Width	49.5”	49”
Min Width	49.4”	42.5”
Height	36.5”	36”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon’s (not available on SLE) optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Durango doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Yukon’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Durango doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Payload and Towing

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Durango’s (7700 vs. 6200 pounds).

The Yukon has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Durango (1702 vs. 1400 lbs.).

The Yukon has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Durango (1792 vs. 1450 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Yukon (except SLE/SLT) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Durango doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Yukon’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Durango’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Yukon’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Durango’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The Yukon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Durango’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Yukon Denali Ultimate has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Durango.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Durango doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Yukon Denali’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Durango doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $150 to $2495 less than the Durango over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Durango because typical repairs cost much less on the Yukon than the Durango, including $23 less for front brake pads, $161 less for a starter, $223 less for front struts and $112 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Dodge Durango by 48% during 2022.