Monday, January 3, 2011

2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango

Okay, so Ford and Dodge each introduced all-new seven passenger SUVs within weeks of each other - apparently thinking that the market is still hungry for these types of American vehicles. MotorTrend did an extensive article on this, which can be found here.



It's simply too early to tell whether the Explorer or the Durango is better since a side-by-side comparison hasn't been done, so I'll just post the specs for each vehicle and some pictures.


  2011 Dodge Durango (V-6; V-8) 2011 Ford Explorer
Base price $29,195 $28,995
Vehicle layout Front-engine, RWD/AWD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 6-7-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine 3.6L/290-hp/260-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6; 5.7L/360-hp/390-lb-ft OHV 16-valve V-8 3.5L/290-hp/255-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6
Transmission 5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Curb weight (f/r dist) 4889 lb (49/51%); 5307 lb (50/50%) 4660 lb (55/45%)
Wheelbase 119.8 in 112.6 in
Length x width x height 199.8 x 75.8 x 70.9 in 197.1 x 90.2 x 70.4-71.0 in
Track, f/r 63.9/64.1 in 67.0 in
Headroom, f/m/r 39.9/39.8/37.8 in 39.1-41.4/38.3-40.5/37.8 in
Legroom, f/m/r 40.3/38.6/31.5 in 40.6/39.8/33.2 in
Shoulder room, f/m/r 58.5/58.3/50.4 in 61.3/61.0/50.8 in
Cargo vol, behind f/m/r 84.5/47.7/17.2 in 80.7 cu ft (behind f)
0-60 mph 8.8 sec; 7.3 sec 7.9 sec
Quarter mile 16.6 sec @ 86.1 mph; 15.5 sec @ 91.8 mph 16.1 sec @ 88.6 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 120 ft; 125 ft 120 ft
Lateral acceleration 0.74 g (avg); 0.76 g (avg) 0.77 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 28.4 sec @ 0.55 g (avg); 28.3 sec @ 0.56 g (avg) 28.8 sec @ 0.58 g (avg)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 16/22-23 mpg; 13-14/20 mpg 17/25 mpg
CO2 emissions 1.05-1.06 lb/mile; 1.20-1.26 lb/mile 0.98 lb/mile
Dodge interior

Ford interior (kind of plain IMO)
Explorer side view

Durango

From a first observation, I really like the re-styling of the Durango. In black, it looks very elegant compared with the Explorer. Both manufacturers are really squeezing the juice out of their V6's, but I like the fact that Ford offers the 6-speed transmission. With a very similar price tag, which of the two do you guys like better?



19 comments:

  1. That durango looks way smoother

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  2. ^^ what he said, it looks much classier.

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  3. If I champion Ford will they send me a free car for my continued loyalty? If not, DODGE all the way.

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  4. I had a '98 Durango which I loved dearly. Finally cash-for-clunkers-ed it. Shame the '04 Durango was so ugly and underpowered.

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  5. The Durango is better looking but with that MPG I wouldn't but either. Gas is just to high.

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  6. I like the ford on the outside but the Durago on the inside.
    I guess I'll take the ford because of the CO2 emissions.

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  7. cars are more expensive here. I would buy one of these if they were hybrid. They look noice.

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  8. I'd go for the Ford, cal me old fashioned but i love the name and the the brand

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  9. Completely off topic, I hope you have an amazing 2011 Daz Auto.

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  10. I'll take any of them! They both look like nice cars :D

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  11. I can't afford either, but they both look cool.

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  12. Ford Explorer because he is Ford, I have't better explanation

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  13. Wow, they're actually pretty sweet both of 'em :D

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