2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Lexus RX

$38,995 · Crossover

$49,725 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the rugged capability of the 2026 Dodge Durango and the polished refinement of the 2026 Lexus RX often comes down to budget versus luxury. Buyers are immediately confronted with a substantial $10,730 MSRP gap, as the Durango starts at $38,995 while the RX begins at $49,725. Performance specs show the Durango is slightly more powerful on paper with 295 hp compared to the RX's 275 hp, but the trade-off is clear in efficiency: the RX achieves 25 MPG combined, significantly beating the Durango's 20 MPG combined rating. Furthermore, the RX offers nearly 12 cubic feet more cargo space at 29.6 cu ft versus the Durango's 17.2 cu ft. While the Durango is longer at 200.8 inches, the RX prioritizes interior utility in a slightly smaller footprint, impacting overall day-to-day hauling capability.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is the clear winner for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 25 MPG combined versus the Durango's 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Lexus RX

Families will benefit more from the Lexus RX's substantially larger 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the Durango's 17.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Dodge Durango

Enthusiasts will favor the Dodge Durango for its higher peak horsepower rating of 295 hp and its rear-wheel-drive platform.

💰 Best Value

2026 Dodge Durango

The 2026 Dodge Durango provides excellent utility and power for a starting price that undercuts the Lexus RX by $10,730.

Choose the Dodge Durango if...

You want to save over $10,000 upfront, with an MSRP of $38,995.
You prefer the traditional power delivery and traction characteristics of rear-wheel drive.
Maximum straight-line power is a priority, as the Durango offers 295 hp.

Choose the Lexus RX if...

You prioritize maximizing cargo space, benefiting from 29.6 cu ft.
You seek better efficiency, as the RX delivers 29 MPG on the highway versus the Durango's 25 MPG highway rating.
You prefer the lighter steering feel associated with a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Dodge Durango	Lexus RX
Length	200.8"	192.5"
Width	75.8"	75.6"
Height	72.1"	67.3"
Wheelbase	119.8"	112.2"

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	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
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	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	295 hp @ 6400 rpm	275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	317 lb-ft @ 1700 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	8-speed shiftable 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	22/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	442.8/615.0 mi.	391.6/516.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	24.6 gal.	17.8 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	✓	—
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
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	12
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	With Real Time Traffic	✓
Subwoofer Count	—	1
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 Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Dodge	Lexus
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.5 in.
Front Leg Room	40.3 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.5 in.	58.1 in.
Front Hip Room	57.0 in.	56.7 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	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Dodge	Lexus
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.6 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	56.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	55.9 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	—
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/60R18	✓
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Painted Alloy Wheels	—	✓
Polished Alloy Wheels	—	✓

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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 10000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Dodge Durango and 2026 Lexus RX.

How much more does it cost to fuel the Durango compared to the RX?

The Durango uses regular unleaded fuel but returns only 20 MPG combined, while the RX uses premium fuel but gets 25 MPG combined. Over 15,000 miles, the fuel efficiency difference will offset some of the RX's higher initial price, despite its premium fuel requirement.

Which vehicle is better suited for long road trips needing lots of luggage?

The 2026 Lexus RX is far superior for hauling luggage, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo space. The Durango's 17.2 cu ft is restrictive for larger families or extended trips.

Does the Durango's extra length translate to better interior space?

No, despite being about 8.3 inches longer overall (200.8 inches vs. 192.5 inches), the Durango sacrifices passenger and cargo volume to its larger frame, while the RX maximizes its smaller footprint for utility.

Is the horsepower advantage of the Durango worth the lower MPG?

The Durango has 295 hp versus the RX's 275 hp, but the RX makes up for the 20 hp deficit with superior torque (317 lb-ft vs. 260 lb-ft) in everyday driving, leading to better overall real-world acceleration without the fuel penalty.

What does the difference in drive type mean for driving dynamics?

The Durango's RWD setup generally appeals to driving enthusiasts who prefer a traditional setup, whereas the RX’s FWD system is excellent for confident, stable commuting, especially in poor weather conditions.

How does the starting price disparity affect the overall purchase decision?

The $10,730 savings on the Durango's $38,995 MSRP is significant, allowing buyers to save substantial cash or upgrade trim levels, directly contrasting with the RX's premium positioning starting at $49,725.