2027 Dodge Durango vs 2027 Ford Explorer: Three-Row SUV Comparison
The 2027 Dodge Durango tows up to 8,700 lbs and offers up to 710 hp, figures the 2027 Ford Explorer cannot match. The Explorer counters with better fuel economy (27 mpg highway vs 21) and a standard 5G modem. This page breaks down both vehicles head to head so you can shop with confidence at ASA Auto Plaza.
The Short Answer
The 2027 Durango is the right choice for buyers who tow heavy loads, want V8 power in a three-row SUV, or plan to personalize their vehicle with one of more than 14 million Jailbreak configurations. The Explorer is a better fit for drivers who prioritize fuel economy, a larger touchscreen, and a lighter, more car-like driving character.
Neither vehicle is a compromise in its lane. The Durango dominates on capability and horsepower. The Explorer holds its own on connectivity technology and everyday efficiency. Know what you value most, and this comparison makes the decision straightforward.
2027 Dodge Durango full specs and trims
Specs Head-to-Head
| Spec | 2027 Dodge Durango (GT HEMI V8) | 2027 Ford Explorer (base) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.7L HEMI V8 | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 |
| Horsepower | 360 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD standard (GT HEMI) | RWD standard; AWD optional |
| Towing (max equipped) | 8,700 lbs | 5,300 lbs |
| 0-60 mph | 6.2 sec (GT HEMI) | 6.0 to 6.8 sec |
| Seating | Up to 7 | Up to 7 |
| Cargo (max) | 85.1 cu ft | 85.8 cu ft |
| Cargo behind row 3 | 17.2 cu ft | 16.3 cu ft |
| Length | 200.8 in | 198.7 in |
| Height | 72.1 in | 69.6 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.8 in (GT) / 8.0 in (R/T, SRT) | 7.6 in (base) / 8.7 in (Tremor) |
| EPA MPG (city/hwy) | 14/21 (GT HEMI) | 20/27 (2.3L EcoBoost) |
| Warranty (basic/powertrain) | 3 yr/36k, 5 yr/60k | 3 yr/36k, 5 yr/60k |
The Durango's towing advantage (8,700 lbs vs 5,300 lbs) is the most decisive number in the chart. The Explorer's fuel economy advantage (27 mpg highway vs 21) is equally clear. Everything else in this comparison fills in the story around those two data points.
EPA fuel economy ratings for both vehicles
Performance and Powertrain
The Durango's powertrain story is unlike anything else in the three-row segment. The GT HEMI V8 delivers 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque and hits 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. Step up to the R/T 392 and you get 475 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.4-second 0-60 time backed by an NHRA-certified 12.9-second quarter mile. At the top sits the SRT Hellcat with a supercharged 6.2L V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. That is the most powerful gas SUV ever produced. Every Durango HEMI V8 trim comes standard with AWD.
The Explorer's 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder produces 300 hp and 310 lb-ft. The optional 3.0L twin-turbo V6, available on the ST, Tremor, and Platinum trims, reaches 400 hp in federal-state tune. That V6 gives the Explorer legitimate performance at the top of its lineup, but it still falls well short of the Durango R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat. On towing, the Explorer caps at 5,300 lbs regardless of trim. The Durango R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat tow 8,700 lbs as standard equipment. The GT HEMI hits the same 8,700-lb figure with the Tow 'n Go package.
For drivers in Jackson, MN, and across the region who haul boats, campers, or trailers, the Durango's towing gap over the Explorer is not a marginal edge. It is 64 percent more capacity.
Interior, Space, and Cargo
Both vehicles seat seven and offer similar maximum cargo volumes: 85.1 cu ft for the Durango and 85.8 cu ft for the Explorer. Behind the third row, the Durango holds a slight edge at 17.2 cu ft vs the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft.
The Durango's dimensions reflect its muscle-SUV roots. At 200.8 inches long and 72.1 inches tall, it is physically larger than the Explorer (198.7 in long, 69.6 in tall). The Durango's taller roofline benefits third-row headroom (37.8 in) compared to the Explorer's 38.9 in (Explorer leads here).
Inside, the Durango GT HEMI comes standard with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Nappa leather, ventilated seats, a power sunroof, and Harman Kardon's 19-speaker 825-watt system step up through the Plus and Premium packages. The SRT Hellcat Jailbreak adds Nappa and Alcantara seating plus over 50 seating configurations.
Technology and Safety
The Explorer brings a larger touchscreen. Its 13.2-inch center display runs Google Maps natively and supports Google Assistant voice control alongside wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A standard 5G modem and Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices are genuine advantages for connected families. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster rounds out a tech stack that feels up to date.
The Durango pairs Uconnect 5 on a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Navigation, SiriusXM Traffic, and TomTom Navigation are included. SRT and R/T 392 trims add performance and SRT pages that display real-time g-force, engine output, and vehicle dynamics data.
On safety, both vehicles include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, front and rear parking sensors, and a backup camera. The Explorer comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which bundles adaptive cruise control as standard equipment. On the Durango, adaptive cruise control arrives at the Plus trim. Both vehicles share a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Value and Ownership
The Explorer starts at a lower entry point than the GT HEMI V8 Durango and returns better fuel economy at every trim level (20/27 mpg for the 2.3L vs 14/21 for the 5.7L HEMI). For daily driving, that gap adds up over thousands of miles.
The Durango delivers best-in-class towing (8,700 lbs), the only V8-powered three-row SUV lineup in the segment, standard AWD on every HEMI V8 trim, and a security update for 2027 that minimizes unauthorized key pairing. Durango GT HEMI owners also get a new Brass Monkey appearance package, while R/T 392 buyers gain access to the new Plus model and Blacktop Redline package. SRT Hellcat Jailbreak buyers receive one day of performance driving instruction at Radford Racing School.
Warranty terms are identical between the two: 3/36,000 basic and 5/60,000 powertrain. Neither vehicle holds an advantage there.
Compare all 2027 Durango trims
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 2027 Dodge Durango if you:
- Tow a boat, camper, or trailer and need more than 5,300 lbs of capacity
- Want a V8 engine in a three-row family SUV
- Prioritize performance with the R/T 392 (475 hp, 4.4-second 0-60) or SRT Hellcat (710 hp)
- Value standard AWD on every HEMI V8 trim without paying for an upgrade
- Want broad personalization, including Jailbreak's 14 million-plus combinations
Choose the 2027 Ford Explorer if you:
- Prioritize fuel economy (27 mpg highway vs 21)
- Want a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen with native Google integration and a 5G modem
- Prefer a lighter, more car-like driving character
- Need the Tremor's 8.7-inch ground clearance for light off-road use
See the 2027 Durango at ASA Auto Plaza in Jackson, MN
If towing capacity, V8 power, and a lineup that runs from 360 hp to 710 hp are what your next SUV needs to deliver, the 2027 Dodge Durango is the only three-row vehicle in the segment that checks every one of those boxes. ASA Auto Plaza serves buyers throughout Jackson and the surrounding region. Browse current Durango inventory, schedule a test drive, or bring in your current vehicle for a trade appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2027 Dodge Durango tow more than the 2027 Ford Explorer?
Yes. The Durango tows up to 8,700 lbs when properly equipped (R/T 392, SRT Hellcat, or GT HEMI with Tow 'n Go), compared to the Explorer's maximum of 5,300 lbs. That is a 3,400-lb advantage for the Durango.
Does the 2027 Ford Explorer have a V8 engine?
No. The Explorer is available with a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder (300 hp) or an available 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (up to 400 hp). The Durango is the only three-row SUV on the market with a V8 engine lineup.
Which SUV has more cargo space behind the third row?
The Durango leads with 17.2 cu ft behind the third row versus the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft. Maximum cargo volumes are nearly identical: 85.1 cu ft (Durango) and 85.8 cu ft (Explorer).
Does the 2027 Dodge Durango come with AWD standard?
Yes, on every HEMI V8 trim. The GT HEMI V8, GT HEMI V8 Plus, GT HEMI V8 Premium, R/T 392, R/T 392 Plus, R/T 392 Premium, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Jailbreak all come with AWD standard. A RWD option is available only on the base GT trim.
Which vehicle is better on fuel economy?
The Explorer is the clear winner. The 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder returns an EPA-rated 20 city/27 highway compared to 14 city/21 highway for the Durango GT HEMI V8.
What is the Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak?
The Jailbreak is the top Durango trim. It unlocks more than 14 million personalization combinations, including seven wheel options, seven exterior color choices, multiple seating configurations (five, six, or seven passengers), and four brake caliper and seat belt color options. Purchase includes one day of performance driving instruction at Radford Racing School.
Do both the Durango and Explorer have the same warranty?
Yes. Both vehicles carry a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Can I test drive the 2027 Durango at ASA Auto Plaza?
Yes. ASA Auto Plaza in Jackson, MN, carries Dodge Durango inventory and can schedule a test drive. Browse current stock or contact the team directly.