2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Lexus NX
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2026 Dodge Durango and the 2026 Lexus NX is fuel economy, with the NX achieving a combined 40 MPG compared to the Durango's 20 MPG, a 20 MPG advantage. Power output also shows a substantial gap, as the Durango delivers 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the NX's 240 hp rating. However, the Durango commands a larger footprint at 200.8 inches in length, versus the NX's 183.5 inches. The Durango starts at a lower MSRP of $38,995, undercutting the NX's $44,175 entry point by $5,180. Despite its superior power, the Durango only offers 17.2 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the smaller NX provides a superior 22.7 cu ft of capacity.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is the clear choice for commuters due to its superior 40 combined MPG versus the Durango's 20 MPG.
2026 Lexus NX
Families will benefit from the Lexus NX's larger 22.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Durango's 17.2 cu ft.
2026 Dodge Durango
Enthusiasts will favor the Durango for its higher 295 hp output and RWD configuration, compared to the NX's 240 hp and FWD layout.
2026 Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango offers substantially more horsepower (295 hp vs. 240 hp) for a $5,180 lower starting MSRP.
Choose the Dodge Durango if...
- You prioritize maximum available power, as the Durango offers 295 horsepower.
- You prefer a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) platform for driving dynamics.
- You need the lowest possible entry price point at $38,995.
Choose the Lexus NX if...
- Your primary concern is fuel cost, given the NX's 40 combined MPG.
- You require more usable storage space, where the NX leads with 22.7 cubic feet.
- You prefer a smaller vehicle profile, as the NX is 17.3 inches shorter than the Durango.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Dodge Durango | Lexus NX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8" | 183.5" |
| Width | 75.8" | 73.4" |
| Height | 72.1" | 66.1" |
| Wheelbase | 119.8" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Rear Folding Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.6 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 295 hp @ 6400 rpm | 240 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 4000 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 | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 18/25 MPG | 42/38 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 20 MPG | 40 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 442.8/615.0 mi. | 609.0/551.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 24.6 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.1 in | 9.8 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 10 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | With Real Time Traffic | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.9 in. | 38.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.3 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 56.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 56.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Folding Capability | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.8 in. | 38.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.6 in. | 36.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 54.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.5 in. | 52.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | 265/60R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Run Flat Tires | — | ✓ |
Suspension
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Dodge | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Dodge Durango and 2026 Lexus NX.
What is the primary difference in drivetrain layout between these two crossovers?
The 2026 Dodge Durango features a traditional Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) setup paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the 2026 Lexus NX utilizes a standard Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) layout with a Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic (CVT) transmission.
How much more cargo space does one vehicle offer over the other?
The Lexus NX provides 22.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is significantly more than the Dodge Durango's 17.2 cubic feet. This represents a 5.5 cubic foot advantage for the NX in usable storage.
Is the higher horsepower in the Durango offset by its fuel consumption?
Yes, the Durango's 295 hp output comes at a cost, delivering only 20 combined MPG. The Lexus NX sacrifices 55 horsepower, rating at 240 hp, but achieves double the efficiency at 40 combined MPG.
Do both vehicles use the same fuel type?
No, the Dodge Durango can run on regular unleaded fuel, which is typically less expensive per gallon. The Lexus NX recommends premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance.
Which vehicle is substantially larger based on external dimensions?
The 2026 Dodge Durango is the physically larger vehicle, measuring 200.8 inches long and 72.1 inches tall. The Lexus NX is considerably smaller at 183.5 inches in length and 66.1 inches in height.
What is the exact price differential between the base MSRPs?
The 2026 Dodge Durango has a base MSRP of $38,995, while the 2026 Lexus NX starts at $44,175. This results in a $5,180 price advantage for the Dodge model.
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