If you decide on a Dodge Durango, you’ll get an SUV that can tow and haul with the best of them. But if your priorities lie elsewhere, you might want to consider a Kia Telluride, Ford Bronco, or Hyundai Palisade.
With its bold styling and no-nonsense attitude, you know the Dodge Durango means business. In addition to its standard V6 engine (and powerful optional V8), this three-row family crossover is capable of towing 6,200 lbs and storing up to 85.1 cubic feet. But if you’re looking for a classier interior, better fuel economy, or more driver assistance technology, you might want to check out the competition.
It wasn't easy, but Jerry
, the only super app for car insurance
, managed to round up eight of Durango's fiercest competitors. Let's examine their pros and cons so you can make the right decision. We'll also show you how we can help you save on insurance for a Dodge Durango—or whichever of these competitors you decide on. 1. Kia Telluride
Pros: Amazing design, ample comfort, unbeatable bang for your buck
Cons: Thirsty V6 engine, restrained driving manners
The Kia Telluride has it all, whether it's safety, style, technology, or comfort. A five-star crash rating from the NHTSA? Check. Rugged looks? Check. An upscale interior and plentiful driver assistance features? Check, check, and check.
Featuring a 10.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the front, and 21 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, there’s little you won't find in an SUV rated a perfect 10/10 from Car and Driver.
Our biggest complaint about the Telluride is its 23 combined mpg rating. There's also the 291-hp V6 engine's sluggish acceleration.
2. Ford Bronco
Pros: Exterior looks worthy of Indiana Jones, beefy engine, options for every taste
Cons: Cheaply-built cabin, low fuel economy
It's easy to tell what kind of car the Bronco is just by looking at it. It's a hauler, a trailblazer, and a fun-to-drive off-roadster. It’s got enough equipment and trims available for you to answer every call to adventure imaginable.
It's no surprise, though, that the 300-hp 2.3L four-cylinder engine can get pretty noisy.
However, you can also probably guess the Bronco's downsides. It has poor fuel economy (20 mpg combined). Black, money-saving plastic dominates the interior.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 3. Hyundai Palisade
Pros: Upscale feel, spacious seating, comprehensive driver assistance aids
Cons: Average driving experience, reduced storage
Compared to the Ford Bronco, the Hyundai Palisade is at the other end of the midsized SUV spectrum. While it offers generous third-row seating, its rear storage capacity is only 18 cubic feet. Likewise, less thought likely went into the adequate 291-hp 3.8L V6 engine than into the premium cabin.
It offers fantastic value for passengers and drivers who prefer to be pampered. Just be aware that adding optional Nappa leather seating or a 12-speaker Harman-Kardon audio system will raise your Hyundai insurance costs.
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Pros: Ruggedness, four-wheel-drive, three powerful engine options
Cons: All three will cost you a pretty penny
Jeep does what it does best with the Grand Cherokee. It’s as durable as it looks, boasting a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It offers three 4x4 systems, the Quadra-Trac I, II, and Quadra-Drive II.
Last but not least, it has a roaring 367-hp 5.7L Hemi V8 engine capable of towing 7,200 pounds.
The bad news is that all of the above costs extra. For whatever reason, the standard, RWD Grand Cherokee doesn't perform as well in rollover crashes. Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II are reserved for higher trim levels, the most expensive of which (the Summit Reserve 4XE PHEV) costs about $36,000 more than the base model.
If you want a V8 engine, don’t forget to factor higher Jeep insurance costs
and fuel costs into the price, since it only gets 18 mpg combined. 5. Honda Pilot
Pros: Ample space, practicality, fuel efficiency
Cons: Kids-only third row, indistinguishable from a minivan, tiny towing capacity
The Pilot delivers on Honda's promise of reliability, practicality, and efficiency. In addition to its five-star NHTSA crash test rating, it can carry up to 83.8 cubic feet of cargo at 21 mpg combined.
The downside is that, at first glance, the Pilot looks like a typical minivan. The fact that its towing capacity is only 500 pounds doesn't help either. If only Honda would redesign the Pilot to suit its rugged capabilities, the sky would be the limit.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 6. Chevrolet Blazer
Pros: Cool looks, lots of space
Cons: Stingy with features, low fuel economy
The Blazer loses points right from the start for only seating five. What’s more, its reduced weight only translates into 22 combined mpg, which is barely better than other three-row crossovers on this list. Its standard driver assistance technology—which is limited to staying within lanes—is just as disappointing.
So why would you buy one? Well, the Blazer looks great, and it handles well on any road. Those who step inside will find the interior roomy and comfortable, with an interior design as understated as the exterior is aggressive.
7. Nissan Pathfinder
Pros: Great towing capacity, all-wheel-drive available
Cons: Forgettable driving, uncompetitive features list
Despite undergoing a redesign during its hiatus in 2021, the Nissan Pathfinder fails to impress in most categories. Its 284-hp 3.5L V6 engine, 23 mpg combined EPA rating, and 16.6 cu-ft storage capacity are all standard for the industry. So are Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warnings.
The Pathfinder’s only two features of note are its 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity and quiet driving.
8. Toyota Highlander
Pros: Comprehensive standard features, forward-facing design, optional hybrid powertrain
Cons: Boring driving dynamics
The Toyota Highlander aims to provide great value. Every trim includes lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and automated emergency braking. The 8.0-inch dash display contains Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.
Whether you choose the 3.5L V6 engine (with 23 combined mpg) or the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (with 35 mpg), you’ll get good fuel economy.
The only thing to watch out for is falling asleep behind the wheel. Although the Highlander's steering, suspension, and handling are stable, they don't necessarily engage the driver. Keep yawning at bay with the top podcasts for road trips and long drives.
Dodge Durango vs. the competition
| | | | | | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
---|
| | | | | | 18/25/21 mpg, 14/22/17 mpg |
| | | | | | |
| | 2.3L inline-four, 2.7L V6 | | | | 20/21/20 mpg, 19/20/19 mpg |
| | | | | | |
| | 3.6L V6, 5.7L V8, 2.0L inline-four/electric motor hybrid | | | | 19/26/22 mpg, 14/22/17 mpg combined, 56 mpge |
| | | | | | |
| | 2.0L four-cylinder, 3.6L V6 | | | | 22/27/24 mpg, 19/27/22 mpg |
| | | | | | |
| | 3.5L V6, 2.5L four-cylinder/electric motor hybrid | | | | 20/27/23 mpg,35/35/35 mpg |
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How to compare car insurance quotes in under a minute
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