Compare the2027 Dodge Durango VS 2026 Lexus LX

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 LX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Durango uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The LX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Durango and the LX 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, all-wheel drive, 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.

There are almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

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

The Durango R/T 392’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 18 more horsepower (475 vs. 457) than the LX 700h’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Durango R/T 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the LX 700h 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid:

	Durango	LX
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	5.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	15.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.4 sec	6.7 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.8 sec	3.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	97 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	137 MPH

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

The Durango has 6.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX 700h’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX 600’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 21.1 gallons).

The Durango 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 LX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Durango w/Tow N Go’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX:

	Durango w/Tow N Go	LX
Front Rotors	15 inches	13.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.1 inches

The Durango stops much shorter than the LX:

	Durango	LX
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	198 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Durango’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (295/45R20 vs. 265/55R20).

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 LX 700h Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The Durango’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX 700h Overtrail.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires optional 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 LX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Dodge Durango has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the LX (119.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Durango R/T 392 handles at .85 G’s, while the LX 700h Overtrail pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 392 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the LX 700h Overtrail (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 29.4 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 550 pounds less than the Lexus LX.

Unibody construction lowers the Durango’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The LX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Durango offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The LX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

	Durango	LX
Behind Third Seat	17.2 cubic feet	11 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.1 cubic feet	64 cubic feet

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 700h Overtrail.

	Durango	LX
Third Seat Folded	43.3 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	39 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.1 cubic feet	62.4 cubic feet

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

	Durango	LX 700h Overtrail
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20”/50”/83”	n.a./36.5”
Max Width	49”	51.8”
Min Width	42.5”	41”
Height	36”	39.8”

The Durango’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX is limited to 8000 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 LX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango has a higher standard payload capacity than the LX (1400 vs. 1285 lbs.).

The Durango has a higher maximum payload capacity than the LX (1450 vs. 1285 lbs.).

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 LX isn’t in the top three.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Lexus LX by almost 11 to one during 2025.