Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer: Which Three-Row SUV Fits?
Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer is a choice between two three-row SUVs with standard all-weather drive: Ford lists Intelligent 4WD on every 2027 Explorer, and Dodge lists all-wheel drive on every 2027 Durango. The Explorer comes in five models with a turbocharged four-cylinder or a twin-turbo V6, and the Durango in eight models with a V6 or a choice of V8 engines.
It is Friday, three kids are at the door with their bags, and a Lanark County cottage is waiting. The right SUV is the one whose seats, cargo and trailer plans match a weekend like yours.
See our new Explorer lineup at Carleton Place Ford, then weigh each question below against your own week.
Key Takeaways
Both list a standard drive system. Ford lists Intelligent 4WD on every 2027 Explorer, and Dodge lists all-wheel drive on every 2027 Durango.
Seats depend on the model. The 2027 Explorer seats six or seven on four of its five models and six on the Tremor, while Dodge lists five seats on the 2027 Durango SXT and seven on the GT and GT Plus.
Different engines under each hood. Ford lists the 2027 Explorer with EcoBoost four-cylinder and V6 engines, and Dodge lists the 2027 Durango with a 3.6-litre V6 or a choice of V8 engines, including a 5.7-litre HEMI V8.
Load your own gear. Each maker publishes a maximum cargo figure, so bring the bags you carry on a full day and try them in the exact SUV.
Check the tow rating on the exact SUV. Ratings vary by configuration and equipment, so set your trailer beside the rating for the vehicle you are considering.
Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer: How the Two Line Up
Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer, line by line, puts five 2027 Explorer models beside eight 2027 Durango models. Ford lists the Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum and ST, and Dodge lists the Durango from the SXT to the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak; the table sets out the models, engines and drive each maker lists.
This compares the 2027 Explorer with the 2027 Durango as Dodge lists it in Canada; Dodge also still lists the 2026 Durango.
As each maker lists it | 2027 Ford Explorer | 2027 Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
Models compared | Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum, ST | SXT, GT, GT Plus, GT HEMI V8 Plus, GT HEMI V8 Premium |
Drive | Intelligent 4WD, standard on every model | All-wheel drive on every model |
Standard engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum) | 3.6L V6 (SXT, GT, GT Plus) |
Upgrade engine | Twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (standard on ST; available on Tremor, Platinum) | 5.7L HEMI V8 (GT HEMI V8 Plus, GT HEMI V8 Premium) |
Confirm the configuration on the individual vehicle.
Seats and Cargo Space in the Durango and Explorer
Ford lists six or seven seats for the 2027 Explorer Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST, depending on whether you add the available second-row bench to the standard captain's chairs, and six for the Tremor. Dodge lists the 2027 Durango SXT with five seats, and the GT and GT Plus with seven, using a third-row 50/50 split-folding bench.
Ford lists the 2027 Explorer's maximum cargo volume at 2,431 litres on the Active and ST-Line and 2,416 litres on the Tremor, Platinum and ST, and notes that cargo and load capacity are limited by weight and weight distribution. Dodge lists up to 2,409 litres of cargo room for the 2027 Durango as its maximum luggage volume.
With all three rows in use, the space behind the third row is what matters for hockey bags and groceries, so load your own gear into the exact vehicle before you decide.
Picture a Saturday tournament in Kanata with three kids, their sticks and a cooler, or a summer afternoon at a beach near Arnprior with a stroller and the towels. Fill the seats the way that day fills them, then open the liftgate and see what room is left.
Our Ford Explorer interior guide goes row by row through the Explorer's cabin and cargo area.
Engines and Horsepower on the Explorer and Durango
Ford lists an EcoBoost engine for every 2027 Explorer: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder on the Active and ST-Line, the same engine or an available twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 on the Tremor and Platinum, and the V6 as standard on the ST. Dodge lists the 2027 Durango SXT, GT and GT Plus with a 3.6-litre V6, and the GT HEMI V8 Plus and Premium with a 5.7-litre HEMI V8.
Ford rates the 2027 Explorer's 2.3-litre at 300 hp and its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 at 400 hp, both rated on premium fuel. Dodge rates the 2027 Durango's 3.6-litre V6 at 295 hp and its 5.7-litre HEMI V8 at 360 hp.
Dodge also lists high-performance R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat Jailbreak models.
Our Explorer trims and engines guide walks through each 2027 model and what is new for 2027.
Four-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive: Ford Explorer vs Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer vs Dodge Durango begins with drive, where each maker lists a standard system on every 2027 model. Ford lists Intelligent 4WD as standard on every 2027 Explorer from the Active to the ST, and Dodge lists all-wheel drive on every 2027 Durango.
Ford lists Intelligent 4WD with selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control on all five 2027 Explorer models.
Each maker uses its own name for its system, so ask our team at Carleton Place Ford to show you how the drive modes work on the exact Explorer you are considering.
Think of a 6 a.m. hockey practice in Almonte, or the gravel concession road at the end of the drive to the cottage. Those are the mornings to picture when you sit behind the wheel.
Towing a Boat or Camper With the Durango or Explorer
Ford lists a maximum towing capacity of 2,267 kg for every 2027 Explorer model, from the Active to the ST, with either EcoBoost engine. Dodge lists a towing capacity of 2,812 kg for the 2027 Durango with its 3.6-litre V6, when properly equipped.
Ratings vary by configuration and equipment, so check the rating for the exact vehicle before you hitch up the boat or camper.
Our Explorer towing guide walks through tongue weight, trailer brakes and towing with a full third row.
Write down what you pull in a normal summer, whether that is a fishing boat for a lake near Perth or a tent trailer bound for the Ottawa Valley. Bring the trailer's weight and hitch details to Carleton Place Ford, and ask our team to confirm the rating on the exact Explorer.
How to Choose Between a Dodge Durango and a Ford Explorer
To choose between a Dodge Durango and a Ford Explorer, start with your own family rather than the spec sheet: how many riders you carry, the gear behind the third row, the engine you want and the trailer you tow. Settle those four, then hold a new Explorer at Carleton Place Ford against your answers.
Count your riders. On every 2027 Explorer model but the Tremor, the available second-row bench turns six seats into seven, and Dodge lists seven seats on the 2027 Durango GT and GT Plus.
Pack for the fullest day. Load the hockey bags, stroller or cooler your family actually carries, with every seat in use, before you look at any cargo figure.
Drive the engine you would buy. Try the 2.3-litre or the twin-turbo V6 on the Explorer you are considering, on a road you drive every week.
Name the trailer. Write down the boat or camper you tow, then check it against the rating for the exact vehicle.
Bring every driver. Have each person who will drive set the seat and mirrors, and have the kids climb into the third row.
Confirm the configuration on the individual vehicle.
Trading Your Durango and Financing a New Explorer
Trading a Durango toward an Explorer starts at home: value your trade online, and our team at Carleton Place Ford looks the SUV over when you bring it in. We take trades of any make, whether it is paid off or not.
We put our appraisal of your trade in writing. We buy vehicles outright, so an appraisal does not commit you to buying from us.
With your permission, we get the payout from your lender and show it beside our appraisal.
If you owe more than the vehicle is worth, the shortfall may be added to the amount financed, increasing the amount borrowed and potentially the total cost of borrowing. Financing is subject to lender approval (O.A.C.).
Apply for financing before you come in if you wish. With your consent, we can review options with participating lenders.
Approval, rate, term and payment depend on the applicant, lender and vehicle, and a credit-bureau inquiry may be required.
Bring a driver's licence and proof of income if requested; lender requirements vary.
If Ford's order bank, dealer allocation and your preferred configuration are available, we can review the build and help you submit an order. Availability, order acceptance, timing and pricing are subject to Ford and dealer confirmation.
Ask our team to check the VIN and confirm any open campaigns before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the 2027 Durango and Explorer Both Have Standard All-Weather Drive?
Yes: Ford lists Intelligent 4WD as standard on all five 2027 Explorer models, and Dodge lists all-wheel drive on all eight 2027 Durango models. Ask our team to show you the Explorer's drive modes.
How Many People Do the Durango and Explorer Seat?
Dodge lists the Durango with seating for up to seven passengers: the 2027 GT and GT Plus seat seven, and the SXT seats five. On the 2027 Explorer, Ford lists seven seats on the Active, ST-Line, Platinum and ST with the available second-row bench, and six on the Tremor.
What Engines Do the 2027 Durango and Explorer Use?
Ford lists a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder and a twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 for the 2027 Explorer. Dodge lists a 3.6-litre V6 on the 2027 Durango SXT, GT and GT Plus, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 on the GT HEMI V8 models, and other V8 engines on its R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat Jailbreak models.
How Do I Compare Cargo Space in the Durango and Explorer?
Ford and Dodge each list a maximum cargo figure for the 2027 Explorer and Durango, but the space that matters on a full day is behind the third row. Bring your hockey bags, stroller or cooler and load them into the exact vehicle with every seat in use.
Can I Trade My Durango for a New Ford Explorer?
Yes. Drive your Durango to Carleton Place Ford and our team will look it over as a trade toward a new Explorer.
We take trades of any make, whether it is paid off or not. We put our appraisal of your trade in writing.
Your Next Three-Row SUV: The Ford Explorer at Carleton Place Ford
Choose the Ford Explorer at Carleton Place Ford when Intelligent 4WD on every model, three rows and two EcoBoost engines across the range fit the way your family travels. Ask our team about the seats, the engines and the drive modes on the exact Explorer you are considering, or on a build you want to order.
Second-row captain's chairs are standard on every 2027 Explorer, and the available bench adds a seat on every model except the Tremor.
See our new Explorer lineup and bring the riders and the gear your family travels with.
If a Durango is coming with you, value your trade online first.
Source: Ford Canada's 2027 Explorer pages and Dodge Canada's 2027 Durango listings.
Visit us at 10441 Hwy 7, Carleton Place, ON K7C 0T6
Browse inventory, value your trade, apply for financing (on approved credit), book service, or contact the team.
Sales: (888)-910-3538 Parts: (888)-876-1102 Service: (877)-866-8810 Local: 613-257-3988
About the Author:
Kerry Irven is the Vice President of New and Used Automotive Operations for Heighton Automotive Group, a family-owned and operated automotive group serving communities across Eastern Ontario. Kerry began his automotive career in new-car sales, building his experience on the showroom floor and working his way through multi-store dealership operations.
With over 25 years in the automotive industry, Kerry has helped grow automotive businesses from one location with 40 to 50 vehicles in stock to more than 500 vehicles across 10 rooftops. His hands-on background in both new and used-vehicle operations gives him a practical understanding of what customers look for when shopping for their next vehicle.
Throughout his career, Kerry has always been actively involved in staff coaching and in understanding customer wants and needs, helping ensure the businesses he works with continue to adapt to what customers are truly looking for.
One of the most exciting chapters of his career has been the shift into modern automotive marketing, embracing new technology, transparent pricing, customer-first inventory strategies, and new ways to create a better vehicle-shopping experience.
Kerry has completed extensive automotive training, including certification through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, involvement with the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, Canadian automotive dealer training, and multiple customer service courses.
Born and raised on a farm, Kerry has always valued family, hard work, and a practical, down-to-earth approach. Joining Heighton Automotive Group and working alongside Thomas Heighton and family, along with managing partners Kyle Lothian and Martin Gougeon, has allowed him to bring those same values into the car business. It has also allowed Kerry to continue following a simple philosophy: treat every customer exactly the way he would want to be treated.
Comments