2025 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Dodge Durango and the 2026 Ford Explorer often boils down to balancing muscle versus miles per gallon. If you prioritize raw power and a commanding presence, the Durango, starting at $38,495, brings 295 horsepower and its larger 200.8-inch frame to the fight. However, the Explorer, priced slightly lower at $38,330, pulls ahead significantly on efficiency, netting 24 MPG combined compared to the Durango's 20 MPG combined. This 4 MPG advantage translates to real savings over time. Furthermore, the Explorer packs more punch with 300 horsepower and a segment-leading 310 lb-ft of torque, mated to a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Durango utilizes an 8-speed unit. It’s a close call on overall size, but the Explorer’s better fuel economy and superior torque make a strong case for daily usability.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 24 MPG versus the Durango's 20 MPG.
2025 Dodge Durango
The Durango is the choice for families needing space, offering 17.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, slightly eclipsing the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft.
2026 Ford Explorer
Enthusiasts will favor the Explorer's higher torque output of 310 lb-ft and its more modern 10-speed transmission over the Durango's 260 lb-ft and 8-speed unit.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Explorer offers better power figures (300 hp vs 295 hp) and significantly better MPG for a lower starting MSRP of $38,330.
Choose the Dodge Durango if...
- You need maximum utility inside, as the Durango provides 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
- You prefer the traditional feel of the rear-wheel-drive platform paired with an 8-speed automatic.
- You value the added bulk provided by its 200.8-inch length for a more substantial road presence.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Fuel costs are a major concern, given the Explorer’s 24 MPG combined vs. the Durango's 20 MPG.
- You want the strongest acceleration figures, headlined by 310 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer a slightly smaller footprint at 198.8 inches long, which might help with parking.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Dodge Durango | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8" | 198.8" |
| Width | 75.8" | 78.9" |
| Height | 72.1" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 119.8" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Drying | ✓ | — |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Folding Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.6 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 295 hp @ 6400 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 18/25 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 20 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 442.8/615.0 mi. | 358.0/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 24.6 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Cargo Floor Mats | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.1 in | — |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | With Real Time Traffic | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.9 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.3 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Folding Capability | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.8 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.6 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.5 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 265/60R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Dodge | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Dodge Durango and 2026 Ford Explorer.
How much better is the fuel economy between the 2025 Durango and the 2026 Explorer?
The Ford Explorer has a distinct advantage, achieving 24 MPG combined (20 city/29 highway) versus the Dodge Durango's 20 MPG combined (18 city/25 highway). This 4 MPG difference adds up quickly over yearly driving.
Which crossover offers more standard horsepower and torque?
The 2026 Ford Explorer edges out the Durango slightly in performance specs, boasting 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Durango's 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Does the 2025 Durango have more cargo space than the 2026 Explorer?
Yes, despite being slightly larger overall, the Durango offers marginally more dedicated storage space. It lists 17.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the Explorer provides 16.3 cu ft.
Are both vehicles similar in size and dimension?
They are close, but the Durango is longer at 200.8 inches, while the Explorer is significantly wider at 78.9 inches compared to the Durango's 75.8 inches. The Explorer is also slightly shorter in height at 69.9 inches.
What is the MSRP difference between the base models?
The starting prices are very similar, with the 2026 Ford Explorer listed at $38,330, making it slightly more accessible than the 2025 Dodge Durango, which starts at $38,495.
Which one uses a more advanced transmission?
The 2026 Ford Explorer utilizes a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is generally considered more modern and efficient than the 8-speed shiftable automatic found in the 2025 Dodge Durango.
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