2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Dodge Durango
Those on the hunt for a three-row midsize SUV to safely cart their youngsters to all of their extracurricular activities or make it out to the campsite unscathed are often drawn to the Ford Explorer. It’s got grit, able to hold its own on various terrains, and when it comes to shuttling your family around town, it’s an absolute pro. Another favorite on the streets is the Dodge Durango, known for its powerful engine selection and muscle car vibes. So, when it comes to the 2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Dodge Durango, which model is better suited to help you make your way to all your destinations, while also carting around more passengers and gear?
For 2026, the Explorer shows off a brand-new Tremor model that makes its way into the lineup, offering access to off-road-ready features, like a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, and a limited-slip differential to help it climb over obstacles in the wilderness with ease. The Durango offers a wide range of engines in its large powertrain selection, primarily V8s, which results in even worse fuel economy ratings than before.
Here at DePaula Ford, when you want a three-row daily driver to help you haul your kiddos to all the places on their agendas, handle your daily commute to the office, and embark on trips to the campsite on the weekends, there’s one model that outshines the rest. When it comes to comfort and cargo, ride quality, technology, and safety, it’ll be obvious which model offers more to your daily ride.
| 2026 Ford Explorer | VS | 2026 Dodge Durango |
| $38,465 [a] | MSRP | $38,995 |
| 20/29 | MPG city/hwy | 18/25 |
| 13.2 | Screen Size | 10.1 |
| 85.8 cu.ft. | Cargo Space | 85.1 cu.ft. |
Comfort & Cargo
A Cozy Cabin
Three-row midsize SUVs these days are like the warm blankets of the automotive industry. They’re not as cumbersome to maneuver around town as full-size options, yet they offer plenty of space on board to sit back, relax, and enjoy a comfortable oasis on your way to all the places you need to go. This is particularly true for the 2026 Ford Explorer, which offers seating for up to seven and a host of creature comforts on board to revitalize your ride.
With features like leather upholstery, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and available ambient lighting in many trims, getting cozy inside the Explorer is an absolute given. Soft-touch materials accentuate the Explorer’s cabin, while sliding second-row seats make it easy to access the third row, thus making it easier than ever to get loaded up and on your way, even with rambunctious travelers in tow.
The Durango isn’t quite as elegant on board as it tends to offer sportier vibes than many of its competitors, and you won’t be able to enjoy a sliding second-row seat to make it easier to get into the third row either. You’ll find a more muscle car ambiance inside, with features like a black color palette and red interior accents. However, comfort features like heated and ventilated seats can be found in certain trims to enhance the ride quality. All in all, if you want more convenient ways to access the third row and a more upscale vibe throughout, the Explorer is the model to choose.
Cargo Carrying Capabilities
Not only does the Explorer offer clever ways to slide the second-row seats out of the way, as well as provide you with a nice amount of space in the second and third rows, but it also offers more overall space for all of your gear. You may be traveling with everything from double strollers to sports equipment, groceries, and more, which means having a configurable space on board your vehicle is a must.
Thanks to available PowerFold third-row seats, which fold out of the way effortlessly to extend your cargo hold, as well as up to 85.8 cu.ft. of space in its cargo area, the Explorer can accommodate virtually anything you’re loading inside. Unfortunately, the Durango isn’t quite as spacious, only offering a cargo capacity of 85.1 cu.ft. This may not seem like much of a difference, but for parents who require as much space as possible in their vehicles without having to upgrade to a larger model, this can make or break the quality of the ride.
Ride Quality
Excitement Awaits on the Open Road
Just because you feel as though all you do is shuttle yourself between the school and home, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a fun-filled ride. The 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Dodge Durango ensure this by offering a lineup of performance-oriented engines. Despite the fact that the Durango’s selection consists mainly of V8 engines, it’s not the most exciting to drive, especially when choosing an entry-level model.
No, this honor belongs to the Explorer, which comes standard with a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, adding excitement to any ride. You’ll also be able to upgrade to a 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 to enjoy 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Durango’s standard engine is a 3.6L Pentastar V6, which produces 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. An available 5.7L HEMI V8 is also offered, providing 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. To be able to enjoy more power than the Explorer, you’d need to opt for the pricier engines that reside under the hood of the R/T and SRT Hellcat models, which tend to be totally out of budget for many.
Fuel Efficiency Expectations
All of that unnecessary power comes at a cost, as the Durango is known for its gas-guzzling tendencies, which don’t align with today’s parents’ needs, especially those running their little ones around to all their after-school activities. Fortunately, the 2026 Explorer is great on gas, getting an EPA-estimated 20 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway with its standard powertrain, while the Durango offers an EPA-estimated 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway with its standard engine. It’s also fair to assume that the more powerful engine that’s in the Durango, the more these EPA estimates drop, so if you want a vehicle that’s fun to drive and efficient, the Explorer is the better pick.
Handling & Control
You’ll find that the 2026 Explorer is a great vehicle to own if you need space but don’t want to maneuver a large full-size model around a crowded parking lot. It showcases confident handling and can be enjoyed with all-wheel drive capabilities as well, which come in handy during bouts of bad weather during the winter months. The Durango also offers a better way to get around town with your family in tow without being too imposing to handle. It offers a bit more of a muscle car persona, though, so if you’re not looking to hit the track any time soon, you’ll want to choose the Explorer to lead the way to all your destinations.
Tech & Safety
Advanced Innovation
The Explorer and Durango appeal to many parents, and if there’s one thing parents can all agree on, it’s the fact that playing chauffeur to their kids is a guarantee, which means having all of your coveted tech on board your vehicle is a must. Thankfully, the 2026 Ford Explorer is up for the challenge, offering a large 13.2-inch infotainment display, which runs the latest and most intuitive software system yet, the Ford Digital Experience. This customizable software interface allows you to personalize your infotainment experience, creating custom profiles, setting up your must-have apps within easy reach, and so much more. This is something that you won’t find in the 2026 Dodge Durango, which is only armed with a 10.1-inch display running the Uconnect software system.
Safety Equipment
Every driver wants to remain safe on the open road, but this is especially important for parents shuttling their little ones around town. Fortunately, the Explorer and Durango come standard with a host of advanced safety tech to ensure the safest ride, no matter what pops up during your journey. Unfortunately, one of these models doesn’t typically make it onto the IIHS Top Safety Pick list, and that model is the Dodge Durango. You want to be sure that your vehicle is safe, and from routine safety aids like collision warnings and blind spot monitoring to helpful assistance features like parking help and enhanced camera views, the Explorer is the better pick for those who make safety a top priority.
Shop for a 2026 Explorer With Us Today
Whether you are seeking an accommodating family vehicle or an adventure companion, the 2026 Ford Explorer is a top pick, ready to make your time on board better in every way. It’s abundantly safe, favorably intuitive, and easy to handle, plus it’s great on gas and spacious, making it easy to handle more passengers and gear. Here at DePaula Ford, we’re proud to showcase this outstanding model to our customers, as well as fair, transparent pricing, flexible payment options, top trade-in values, and a team that’s dedicated to you.
Stop by today and browse our lot of available Explorer models. Take one for a test drive and experience for yourself how it handles and how it can accommodate you and your unique driving needs. We look forward to assisting you in finding your ultimate Explorer. When you want to ensure that your vehicle can keep up with your active lifestyle, you can depend on the Explorer to take on any journey you have planned.
