Compare the2024 Dodge DurangoVS 2024 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.

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 and rear 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’ 2023 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th.

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.

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 on average about 31.4 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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (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.

For better traction, the Durango R/T Tow N Go’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X7 (295/45R20 vs. 285/45R21).

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 Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 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 2.2 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.

The Durango has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X7 (1400 vs. 1180 lbs.).

The Durango has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X7 (1450 vs. 1261 lbs.).

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 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 $5245 to $12130 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 51.68% to 56.07% of its original price after five years, while the X7 only retains 46.74% to 50.28%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $41000 to $84903 less than for the BMW X7.

The Dodge Durango outsold the BMW X7 by over two to one during 2023.