Compare the2024 Dodge DurangoVS 2024 Volvo XC90

Both the Durango and the XC90 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, 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.

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 Volvo XC90:

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

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 9 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Volvo 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. The XC90 only offers a 800-amp battery.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 110 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 4 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The XC90 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Durango V6 and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Durango V6s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

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 XC90 requires premium, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 (24.6 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Durango has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XC90. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Durango’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the XC90 (265/60R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Durango R/T Tow N Go’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (295/45R20 vs. 275/45R20).

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 XC90 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 XC90; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Durango has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC90 Ultimate suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Durango uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the XC90 (119.8 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the XC90 B6 Core:

The Durango has 37.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (141.4 vs. 103.8).

The Durango has 1 inch more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.5 inches more third row headroom, 1.6 inches more third row legroom and 3.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (6200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC90 is only 5000 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango has a higher standard payload capacity than the XC90 (1400 vs. 1210 lbs.).

The Durango has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the XC90 (1450 vs. 1210 lbs.).

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because 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 XC90 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Durango has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC90.

The Durango is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the XC90 because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the XC90, including $690 less for a water pump, $38 less for a muffler, $21 less for front brake pads, $151 less for a starter, $193 less for fuel injection, $192 less for a fuel pump and $410 less for a power steering pump.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Volvo XC90 by 73% during 2023.