Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Here’s The Difference
Photo by Jakob Rosen on Unsplash
When it comes to American SUVs, few models are more popular than the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Both Stellantis large SUVs are excellent family haulers, comfortable, and versatile.
Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: which SUV has the upper hand?
To help you decide, we have another interesting head-to-head SUV comparison for you. For today’s comparison between the Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee, we’ll look at the 2022 iterations from both vehicles.
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Exterior Features
Even among crossover SUVs, the Dodge Durango features a unique exterior design with loads of personality. Dodge has replaced Durango’s once glitzy front-end with a striking two-tier design. Its distinctive curves remind us of the iconic Dodge Charger only in a boxy SUV.
Depending on the trim, the Durango may sport a different look. For instance, the luxury class Citadel features a Platinum Chrome grille and other tasteful use of chrome. The base SXT trim has 18-inch alloy wheels, while the rest of the lineup sports large 20-inch wheels. Furthermore, you can add dual racing stripes to R/T and SRT models for a sportier look.
Meanwhile, the Jeep Grand Cherokee retains its sublime exterior design by keeping the handsome seven-slot grille with just the right size to make an impression. The slim headlights work nicely in juxtaposition with Grand Cherokee’s wide square body.
All Grand Cherokee models get LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. A power tailgate function is also standard to all trims except the base Laredo. A dual-pane sunroof is also available but only for the top three trims: Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve.
WINNER: Both are great-looking SUVs with plenty of character.
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Performance and Fuel Economy
The Grand Cherokee is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 or 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6-liter base engine has an output of 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivers 357 horses and 390 lb-ft of torque. RWD is only available in V6 units, while all V8 and plug-in-hybrid engines are 4WD exclusives.
We’re pleased to report that this SUV provides a smooth, composed ride. Both engines may not be the fastest out there, but they’re plenty perky. Most Grand Cherokee models have a max towing capacity of 6,200 when fully equipped, except for the Trailhawk and Summit Reserve, with 7,200 lbs towing capacity.
Meanwhile, the Dodge Durango is powered by a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The other 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, standard for R/T and optional for the Citadel edition. All engines are paired with 8-speed automatic transmission and either RWD or AWD drivetrain.
The Durango’s muscle car quality shines with its athletic but not overly sporty feel. As you might expect, steering and braking are hefty, typical of a large SUV. Depending on your choice of trim, the Durango’s max towing capacity is between 6,200 to 8,700 lbs. Overall, the Durango provides a comfortable and stable ride, worthy of being a family SUV.
For fuel economy, Durango’s V6 variant has EPA ratings of 19 mpg city and 26 highway, while the V8 version offers 14 mpg city and 22 highway. On the other hand, the V6-powered Grand Cherokee has 19 mpg city and 26 highway, while the V8 models can expect 14 mpg city and 22 highway. The hybrid 4xe engine has no official mpg ratings yet.
WINNER: The Durango beats the Grand Cherokee in performance and towing capacity. But with the Grand Cherokee’s hybrid engine, the Durango has no hope to compete in fuel economy.
Interior and Cargo Space
Jeep is gunning for its German rivals with a best-in-class cabin comfort and quality. From the layout of the controls and vents to the high-quality materials and build, the interior of the Grand Cherokee is simply sensational. High-end trims boast leather upholstery, contrast stitching, wood inserts, and a freshly-designed steering wheel.
Barring the 2-row Trailhawk edition, the rest of the lineup is available in two and three-row configurations (Grand Cherokee L). People in the front have 41.3 inches of legroom and 39.9 inches of headroom. Second-row occupants have 38.2 inches of legroom and 39.4 inches of headroom.
The trunk area has 37.7 cu-ft for storing luggage and gear. Fold the second-row seats, and you get a full 70.8 cu-ft of space to work with. Furthermore, the Grand Cherokee’s thoughtful layout allows more storage options like dual cup holders, storage space underneath the center console, etc.
For the 2022 Durango, Dodge made a cabin the company describes as “performance-inspired.” However, the quality of the cabin is a mixed bag. The base SXT trim has noticeable simpler materials and hard plastics but doesn’t feel too cheap. The Citadel trim also gets you an upscaled cabin with Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seating, sunroof, and plenty of other goodies.
Also new for the 2022 Durango is that it can seat seven passengers with three-row seating. It boasts 50+ seating configurations, allowing you to customize the seating based on your needs. At the front, passengers have 40.3 inches of legroom and 39.9 inches of headroom. Rear seating is smaller, with 38.6 inches of legroom and 39.8 inches of headroom. The third row is best reserved for kids and teens.
As a three-row SUV, the Durango has a larger cargo capacity at 85.1 cu-ft with the second and third-row seats folded. Behind the second-row, you have access to 43.3 cu-ft of space and a default 17.2 cubes with all seats raised.
WINNER: The Grand Cherokee has a plushier cabin compared to the Durango. Cargo-wise, the Durango has more cargo and seating capacity when compared to a non-L Grand Cherokee.
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Infotainment and Safety Features
Despite running on an old platform, the Durango has a modern 8.4-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard. There’s also an available 10.1-inch high-definition display and other optional features like wireless charging, navigational capabilities, and a high-end Harman Kardon sound system.
In the safety department, the 2022 Durango was rated 4-star by the NHTSA and no Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Despite that, the Durango offers a wealth of standard and advanced safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee has the same 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch infotainment units powered by the Uconnect 5 system. Connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa. The standard is the six-speaker system for audio, but most audiophiles would prefer the premium nine-speaker Alpine sound system, available from the Trailhawk trim and upwards.
Unfortunately, the Grand Cherokee has less than excellent safety scores. The IIHS gave it a Poor rating for the Small overlap front: passenger-side crashworthiness test and headlights. However, the SUV did score a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.
WINNER: The Durango and Grand Cherokee are neck-in-neck in infotainment. However, the Durango has a slight edge over the Grand Cherokee in safety scores.
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Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Crossover SUV is Better?
Let’s conclude this Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee comparison with each vehicle’s starting prices. The base 2022 Dodge Durango has an MSRP of $35,475, while the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available for $37,390.
Both SUVs are relatively similar, so the tie-breaker lies with pricing. The base Durango is already a three-row seater with its starting price, while the introductory price for the Grand Cherokee is only for the two-row variant.
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