If you’re a fan of the muscle car era, but want an SUV, look no further than the Dodge Durango. With its power and strong towing capability, this rugged mid-size SUV gives you a fulfilling driving experience. Let’s see how it compares to its Ford nemesis, the 2025 Explorer.
Key Takeaways:
- The 2025 Durango has more engine power than the Ford Explorer and will be the last version with a V-8.
- The Durango has more payload and towing capacity than the Explorer.
- The Durango and Explorer both have standard safety features with upgrades available.
- The Explorer costs more than the Durango almost across the board–except for the powerful Hellcat trim.
Is the Dodge Durango more powerful than the Ford Explorer?
Yes! The Hellcat engine blows the Explorer’s two engines out of the water. The Durango comes with three different engine options. The standard option is a 293 horsepower 3.6L V6. If you want more power, the 360 horsepower 5.7L V8 or the 710 horsepower supercharged 6.2L V-8 in the SRT Hellcat are available. An eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, though all-wheel drive is available on most times (standard in the Hellcat models). The V6 models are rated for 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway; with the V-8 rated for 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
The Explorer comes with a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine rated for up to 300 horsepower. The ST comes with a turbocharged 3.0L V6 with up to 400 horsepower. These engines are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is available on some trims. The four-cylinder rear-wheel drive models get about 21 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway. This lessens about 1 mpg with all-wheel drive. The V6 models get 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive and 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with all-wheel drive.
Does the Durango or Explorer have more towing power?
The maximum towing capacity for the Ford Explorer is 5000 pounds. Meanwhile the Durango models with the V6 engine are rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds. The all-wheel drive models with the V-8 are rated for up to 7,200 pounds or 8,700 pounds with the Tow and Go package.
What are the safety features?
The Durango comes with an impressive lineup of standard and optional safety features. All trims come with blind spot monitoring with cross path detection, advanced brake assist with Ready Alert Braking, ParkView rear backup camera, and electronic stability control. The optional safety upgrades include: LaneSense lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with trailer tow detection, forward collision warning with full stop, and adaptive cruise control with stop.
The Explorer also comes with standard and optional upgraded safety features, such as self-parking assist. The key safety features include standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, standard blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert, standard lane departure warning with lane keeping assist.
What is the price difference between Durango and Explorer?
Depending on the trim and features the price of your vehicle can vary. The Dodge Durango starts with a MSRP of $40,090 up to $67,565 on the premium end.The Ford Explorer starts at $41,380 for the standard model, though that jumps almost $11,000 when upgrading to the V6.
Summary:
So, which SUV is the right one for you? The Durango comes from a long line of muscle car family and has the strength and power to back up its heritage claims. The Explorer has a reputation for practicality but its smaller towing capacity and less powerful engines leave it clearly in the unadventurous category. Contact the good people at Alan Jay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clewiston today and they’ll help you get into the SUV of your dreams.