Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
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The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 Ford Explorer edges ahead by just 2.7 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 Ford Explorer
63
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
60.3
2026 Dodge Durango
57.3
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Ford Explorer
$40,060 incl. destination — $430 less than the runner-up
2026 Ford Explorer
21/28 city/hwy
2026 Ford Explorer
300 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Ford Explorer. Start with the 2026 Ford Explorer at $40,060 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
Dodge · Three-Row SUV
2026 Dodge Durango
“Unmatched powertrain diversity with legendary HEMI V8 options”
See the full reviewTrim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- Durango$47,590
- Explorer$46,750
- Grand Cherokee L$50,700
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- Durango$942/mo
- Explorer$926/mo
- Grand Cherokee L$1,004/mo
vs. Base Trim
- Durango+$7,100
- Explorer+$6,690
- Grand Cherokee L+$9,870
| Durango GT Plus | Explorer ST-Line | Grand Cherokee L Limited | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $47,590 | $46,750 | $50,700 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $942/mo | $926/mo | $1,004/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$7,100 | +$6,690 | +$9,870 |
7 of 7 features shown
DurangoExplorerGrand Cherokee L
3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine
Included Not included Not included
Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
Included Not included Not included
Power Sunroof
Included Not included Not included
20-inch ebony wheels
Not included Included Not included
B&O Sound System
Not included Included Not included
Three rows of seating
Not included Not included Included
Remote start system
Not included Not included Included
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Power Sunroof | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 20-inch ebony wheels | Not included | Included | Not included |
| B&O Sound System | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Three rows of seating | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Remote start system | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Full Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- Durango$38,495
- Explorer$38,465
- Grand Cherokee L$39,035
Est. dealer invoice
- Durango$35,800
- Explorer$35,772
- Grand Cherokee L$36,303
Destination fee
- Durango$1,995
- Explorer$1,595
- Grand Cherokee L$1,795
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- Durango$40,490
- Explorer$40,060
- Grand Cherokee L$40,830
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- Durango$802/mo
- Explorer$793/mo
- Grand Cherokee L$808/mo
Trims offered
- Durango4 (from $38,495)
- Explorer3 (from $38,465)
- Grand Cherokee L3 (from $39,035)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- Durango3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, 6.4L HEMI V8, 6.2L Supercharged V8
- Explorer2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 3.0L EcoBoost V6
- Grand Cherokee L3.6L V6
Horsepower
- Durango295 hp
- Explorer300 hp
- Grand Cherokee L293 hp
Fuel economy
- Durango19/26 city/hwy
- Explorer21/28 city/hwy
- Grand Cherokee L18/25
Seating
- Durango7 seats
- Explorer7 seats
- Grand Cherokee L7 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- DurangoThree-Row SUV
- ExplorerMid-Size SUV
- Grand Cherokee LSUV
Assembly location
- DurangoDetroit, MI, USA
- ExplorerChicago, IL, USA
- Grand Cherokee LDetroit, MI, USA
Safety awards & ratings
- DurangoNHTSA 4-Star Overall Safety Rating (rating year unverified)
- ExplorerIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- Grand Cherokee LIIHS Top Safety Pick (2024)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- DurangoGT Plus
- ExplorerST-Line
- Grand Cherokee LLimited
Trim to skip
- DurangoGT
- ExplorerST
- Grand Cherokee LLaredo
Key rivals
- DurangoFord Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Chevrolet Traverse
- ExplorerHonda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride
- Grand Cherokee LKia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Volkswagen Atlas
| |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $38,495 | $38,465 | $39,035 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $35,800 | $35,772 | $36,303 |
| Destination fee | $1,995 | $1,595 | $1,795 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $40,490 | $40,060 | $40,830 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $802/mo | $793/mo | $808/mo |
| Trims offered | 4 (from $38,495) | 3 (from $38,465) | 3 (from $39,035) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, 6.4L HEMI V8, 6.2L Supercharged V8 | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | 3.6L V6 |
| Horsepower | 295 hp | 300 hp | 293 hp |
| Fuel economy | 19/26 city/hwy | 21/28 city/hwy | 18/25 |
| Seating | 7 seats | 7 seats | 7 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Three-Row SUV | Mid-Size SUV | SUV |
| Assembly location | Detroit, MI, USA | Chicago, IL, USA | Detroit, MI, USA |
| Safety awards & ratings | NHTSA 4-Star Overall Safety Rating (rating year unverified) | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | IIHS Top Safety Pick (2024) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | GT Plus | ST-Line | Limited |
| Trim to skip | GT | ST | Laredo |
| Key rivals | Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Chevrolet Traverse | Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride | Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Volkswagen Atlas |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
Dodge Durango
Three-Row SUV
Pros
- Unmatched powertrain diversity with legendary HEMI V8 options
- Aggressive and timeless exterior styling that stands out
- User-friendly interior tech that avoids over-complication
Cons
- Dated interior materials in lower-tier trims
- Below-average fuel efficiency compared to newer rivals
Ford Explorer
Mid-Size SUV
Pros
- Superior towing capability in its class
- Modern, user-friendly 13.2-inch infotainment
- Engaging driving dynamics
Cons
- Interior material quality lags in base trims
- Third row best reserved for children
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
SUV
Pros
- High-end interior materials on upper trims
- Iconic and prestigious exterior styling
- Proven mechanical reliability of the 3.6L V6
Cons
- Higher starting price than some primary rivals
- Fuel economy is average for the segment
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
Dodge Durango
Performance
- Exceptional variety of engines ranging from efficient V6 to supercharged V8
- Smooth power delivery from the eight-speed automatic transmission
- High-performance SRT models offer unmatched acceleration for the segment
- V6 can feel slightly underpowered when the vehicle is fully loaded
- Fuel economy lags significantly behind hybrid-equipped competitors
Handling
- Heavier steering provides better road feel than most modern crossovers
- Stable and planted sensation during high-speed highway cruising
- Heavy curb weight is noticeable in tight urban corners
- Turning radius is large making parking lot maneuvers a chore
Comfort
- Excellent front seat support for long-distance road trips
- Uconnect system is incredibly easy to use while driving
- Third row legroom is tighter than the Chevrolet Traverse
- Ride quality can be stiff on the performance-oriented trims
Ford Explorer
Performance
- Stout 300 hp from base 2.3L engine
- Excellent towing stability due to RWD architecture
- 10-speed automatic can be indecisive on inclines
Handling
- Car-like agility for a seven-passenger vehicle
- Predictable and accurate steering weight
- Noticeable body roll in base Active trim
Comfort
- Significantly improved cabin insulation
- Supportive front-row seating for long hauls
- Third-row legroom is tight compared to rivals
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Performance
- Linear and predictable power delivery from the V6
- Refined and smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission
- Lacks the low-end torque found in turbocharged rivals
Handling
- Excellent straight-line stability on the highway
- Light and easy steering for navigating tight parking lots
- Significant body roll when cornering with enthusiasm
Comfort
- Superb sound insulation keeps the cabin quiet at speed
- Front seats remain comfortable even on multi-hour road trips
- Ride quality can feel slightly busy over broken pavement
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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