Compare the2024 Dodge DurangoVS 2024 Mazda CX-90

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 CX-90 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the CX-90 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, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front and rear parking sensors.

There are over 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mazda 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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 25th, 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 Mazda 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, Mazda is rated lower.

The Durango has more powerful engines than the CX-90:

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the CX-90 Turbo S:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The CX-90 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 CX-90 PHEV requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 19.6 gallons).

For better stopping power the Durango’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-90:

For better traction, the Durango R/T Tow N Go’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-90 (295/45R20 vs. 275/45R21).

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 CX-90 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 CX-90; 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 CX-90’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 CX-90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Durango R/T 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-90 Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-90 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Durango GT 4x4 is quieter than the CX-90 Premium Plus:

The Durango has .2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more third row headroom and 3.1 inches more third row legroom than the CX-90.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-90.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Durango. The CX-90 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-90’s (6200 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mazda CX-90 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 CX-90 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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 CX-90 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 CX-90 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Durango and the CX-90 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Durango is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-90 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Durango’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-90’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 is only available on the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium.

The Durango is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Mazda CX-90 by over two to one during 2023.