Compare the2027 Dodge Durango VS 2026 Lexus TX

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 TX 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 TX.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Durango is safer than the Lexus TX:

	Durango	TX
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	74	218
Neck Injury Risk	34%	39.3%
Neck Stress	236 lbs.	355 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	12 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	295	356
Neck Injury Risk	26%	33%
Neck Stress	156 lbs.	199 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	303/32 lbs.	384/277 lbs.

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

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 Lexus TX:

	Durango	TX
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	50	63
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	39 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	17 inches
HIC	194	344
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	714 lbs.	823 lbs.

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

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 TX’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 has more powerful engines than the TX:

	Horsepower	Torque
Durango 5.7 V8	360 HP	390 lbs.-ft.
Durango R/T 392 6.4 V8	475 HP	470 lbs.-ft.
TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	366 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
TX 550h+ 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid	404 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango 5.7 V8 is faster than the TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Durango	TX
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.9 MPH	88.8 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Durango R/T 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid:

	Durango	TX
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	5.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	16.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.4 sec	6.3 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.2 sec	4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	14.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	95 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 TX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango has 10.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 550h+’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 350’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 17.8 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 TX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

	Durango	TX
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.3 inches

The Durango stops shorter than the TX:

	Durango	TX
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the TX (265/50R20 vs. 255/55R20). The Durango’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TX (295/45R20 vs. 255/55R20).

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 TX’s standard 55 series tires.

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 TX 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 TX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Durango offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The TX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the TX (119.8 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

The Durango R/T 392 handles at .85 G’s, while the TX 550h+ Luxury pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Durango GT has a greater minimum ground clearance than the TX 550h+ Luxury (7.8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango has .5 inches more front hip room and .6 inches more third row headroom than the TX.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the TX’s (7200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus TX 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 TX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

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 TX isn’t in the top three.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Lexus TX by 42% during 2025.