Compare the2027 Dodge Durango VS 2026 Ford Explorer

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 Explorer doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Durango. But it costs extra on the Explorer.

Both the Durango and the Explorer 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 crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

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 Ford Explorer:

	Durango	Explorer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	46	65
Abdominal Force	111 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	50	86
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	446 lbs.	604 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	194	288

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

The Dodge Durango’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Explorer’s 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Durango’s reliability 15 points higher than the Explorer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

The Durango’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 60 more horsepower (360 vs. 300) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 310) than the Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango R/T 392’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 75 more horsepower (475 vs. 400) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 415) than the Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango 5.7 V8 is faster than the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl.:

	Durango	Explorer
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.8 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	11 sec	11.8 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.5 sec	3.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.9 MPH	89.6 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Durango R/T 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the Ford Explorer 3.0:

	Durango	Explorer
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	5.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	13.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.4 sec	5.9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.8 sec	3.2 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	3.8 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	13.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	101 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	155 MPH

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

The Durango has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer 2.3L EcoBoost I-4’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 18.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 20.2 gallons).

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

	Durango	Durango w/Tow N Go	Explorer	Explorer ST
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	15 inches	13.6 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.8 inches	12.4 inches	13.8 inches

The Durango’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Explorer ST are solid, not vented.

The Durango stops shorter than the Explorer:

	Durango	Explorer
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Explorer (265/50R20 vs. 255/65R18). The Durango’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Explorer (295/45R20 vs. 275/45R21).

The Durango’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Explorer’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Explorer.

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

The Durango offers an optional 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 Explorer’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 Explorer doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Durango R/T 392 handles at .85 G’s, while the Explorer Active 4WD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 392 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Explorer 4WD (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango GT has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer (7.8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango has 1.1 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more third row legroom and 1.5 inches more third row hip room than the Explorer.

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

	Durango	Explorer
Behind Third Seat	17.2 cubic feet	16.3 cubic feet

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (7200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Explorer is only 5000 pounds. The Durango offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango GT 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 Explorer can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Explorer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Durango’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 Explorer’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the Durango’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Explorer’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

When the Durango with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Explorer.

The Dodge Durango has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Explorer.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Dodge Durango has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Explorer and isn’t available on the Explorer Active.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Dodge Durango retains 50.72% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 47.11% resale value of the 2026 Ford Explorer after five years, which can save the Dodge’s owner up to $2210 in depreciation.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the Explorer because typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the Explorer, including $187 less for a water pump, $302 less for a muffler and $346 less for a power steering pump.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Durango third among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Explorer isn’t in the top three in its category.