Which midsize SUV is best for you and your family, the 2023 Dodge Durango or the Ford Explorer? Our comparison guide is here to help you sort out your priorities. By the end, you’ll know which of these models has the features you want, the power you crave, and the price tag that works for you.
Key Takeaways
- The Durango’s muscular exterior style sets it apart from bland-looking competitors.
- For more power, check out the Durango’s engine lineup.
- Both SUVs deliver similar lists of comfort, convenience, and tech features, though availability depends on which trim model you select.
- The 2023 Explorer (starting at $36,760) is a slightly better deal than the 2023 Durango (starting at $39,445).
Sporty Style: 2023 Dodge Durango
To inspire envious glances, you need the Dodge Durango. Outside, this SUV features Dodge’s trademark lighting, iconic grille, and aggressive styling that set it apart from competitors. When you build your own model, you can choose from a variety of wheel designs and color options for an overall look that really speaks to your personal tastes.
The Ford Explorer is also available with different wheel designs and varying levels of chrome trim. However, this crossover SUV doesn’t have the Durango’s bold lines. And while its design is on the sleek side, it’s not all that different from other models on the market.
Premium Power: 2023 Dodge Durango
Both of these midsize SUVs come standard with rear-wheel drive (and offer optional all-wheel drive) for an especially strong performance. However, the Durango’s engine options are much more potent. That’s especially true if you drive off in an SRT Hellcat trim model, because its supercharged V8 spits out 710 horsepower!
There are four Durango engine options, depending on which trim model you select:
- SXT, GT, Citadel: 3.6L V6 (295 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque)
- R/T, optional for Citadel: 5.7L V8 (360 hp, 390 lb-ft)
- SRT 392: 6.4L V8 (475 hp, 470 lb-ft)
- SRT Hellcat: Supercharged 6.2L V8 (710 hp, 645 lb-ft)
Although the Explorer’s more powerful engine options can’t quite match the Durango’s output, this midsize SUV does have some appeal for drivers who crave maximum fuel economy. With the available hybrid engine, this Ford earns up to 27 mpg combined (27 city/28 highway).
The Explorer’s engine options also vary according to trim level:
- Standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 310 lb-ft of torque)
- Standard for the ST, King Ranch and optional for the Platinum: turbo 3.0L V6 (400 hp, 415 lb-ft)
- Standard for the Platinum, optional for the Limited: 3.3L hybrid V6 (318 hp, 322 lb-ft)
Comfort & Convenience: It’s a Tie!
Inside these three-row SUVs, you’ll enjoy incredible comfort. Both offer up to seven seats (or six with second-row captain’s chairs), making them very family-friendly indeed. Throughout their trim lineups, you’ll find a very similar collection of safety aids, comfort features, and technology.
The 2023 Durango will impress you with its standard lineup, which includes modern creature comforts (like tri-zone automatic climate control), safety aids (blind-spot monitoring), and smartphone-friendly infotainment (with an 8.4-inch touchscreen). And the Durango’s five trim models offer even more luxury, with upgrades like a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, premium leather upholstery, and a wireless smartphone charger available.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Explorer’s cabin is very similarly equipped. Every Explorer delivers comfort and convenience, with standard features that include a power liftgate and LED headlights. And the Explorer’s eight trim models also offer extra layers of luxury, with upgrades that include a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and built-in navigation.
Starting Price: 2023 Ford Explorer
The Explorer has a slightly lower starting price, $36,760. For the best possible deal, Ford’s midsize crossover SUV is a great choice.
If you want the Durango’s extra speed and style, you’ll only have to pay a little extra, though, starting at $39,445. Of course, both SUVs are available with a wide range of upgrades, which can alter the price.
The Best SUV for You
There’s a lot to like about the Explorer, that’s for sure, but it’s certainly no Durango! Choose this high-performance SUV for blazing speed and exclusive style. The 2023 Durango also delivers a very family-friendly ride, perfect for all of your excursions.