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Which Crossover Is Better: 2011 Dodge Durango or 2011 Ford Explorer? #YouTellUs

By Joel Feder
Joel Feder Joel Feder
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2011 Dodge Durango Citadel Black & Tan

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel Black & Tan



With the 2011 Dodge Durango spending the last week in the TCC garage, we can't think of a better #YouTellUs question than pitting the new three-row CUV from Dodge against the completely redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer.

Both the Durango and Explorer were aging, and not gracefully, but now each nameplate has a new lease on life. Both are unibody construction with new more fuel-efficient powertrains. Each of these large CUVs offer three rows of seating as standard equipment, along with more cubbies than you'll ever need.

The Durango offers V-6 and V-8 engine options, while the Explorer currently offers a V-6 engine, and an Ecoboost four-cylinder engine will be offered later this year. The Explorer has traded off-road capability and some towing capacity for a more compliant ride and more interior room. The Durango also traded away some off-road capability but retains the higher towing capability due to its V-8 engine. Does this matter to consumers?


Today we ask you, which is the better CUV: the 2011 Dodge Durango or the 2011 Ford Explorer? Tweet us your answer and make sure to include the hashtag #CUVwars -- and you'll join the chorus right here via CoverItLive.


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Comments (9)

  1. fb_520745730 avatar Travis Alley Posted: 7/11/2011 8:58am PDT

    DURANGO!
     
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  2. fb_1779529571 avatar Bill Burke Posted: 7/11/2011 10:11am PDT

    Just drove a Ford explorer and I own a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Based on that, I'd take the Durango. The Ford lacks the "feel" I get in a RWD Jeep.
     
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  3. bezer avatar brian smith Posted: 7/11/2011 10:15am PDT

    Explorer
     
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  4. USAFANG67 avatar Matt Mann Posted: 7/11/2011 10:45am PDT

    I guess if I'd just use it for a family run-a-bout with no towing involved I'd choose the Ford.
    If I planned on doing some towing then it would be the Durango.
     
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  5. fb_1615122445 avatar Debi Evans Posted: 7/11/2011 11:33am PDT

    Ford Explorer is the best vehicle by far! It has always been my favorite ever! Now if I could only own one...
     
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  6. larry300 avatar larry300 Posted: 7/11/2011 2:23pm PDT

    The Explorer is the better model for the average family with no expectations of strenuous towing or offroading, if for nothing else than the better fuel effeciency and ford's enviable quality reputation. But one has to wonder why ford makes two models that overlap in concept, the Edge and the Explorer; both V6, FWD, car-based platforms at similar base pricing? The Explorer was always meant to be Ford's offroad, truck-based SUV.
     
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  7. jeep avatar jeep Posted: 7/12/2011 12:58am PDT

    The Durango, definitely! I have driven both vehicles and they are both outstanding. However, I prefer rear wheel drive to front wheel drive because the two that I test-drove were base models with the standard engines and settings. The fit and finish for both vehicles was excellent although the Durango was quieter inside.
     
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  8. car3r avatar car3r Posted: 7/12/2011 7:22am PDT

    Explorer and Flex are the same crossovers with just a different skin and upgraded package. Both are FWD based on Taurus-sedan platform, both have no V8 option, both have no off-road T-case
    By contrast, Durango is RWD, has a V8 option, offers off-road T-case, has nearly 2500-lb more towing than Explorer and is based on the Grand Cherokee/Mercedes ML platform - clearly an SUV
    Why would any moron compare a Durango to a differently skinned Ford Flex? Either compare the Durango to the 4Runner and Pathfinder of which it would kill them OR compare an Explorer to the Acadia and Pilot. Either way, keep the comparison apples-to-apples since the vehicles have different purposes.
     
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  9. fb_1796466714 avatar Sean O'Reilly Posted: 7/19/2011 8:07am PDT

    After owning Dodge products for over a decade and dealing with the engine oil leaks and transmission problems before the vehicles even hit 100,000 miles, I just bought a 2011 Ford Explorer. We needed a full size 7 passenger 4 wheel drive vehicle and after researching and testing the Pilot, Durango, Pathfinder, 4 Runner, and Enclave the Explorer was just plain and simple the best vehicle. Finding a 4 wheel drive with the options that I wanted was the only issue. I had to drive over 400 miles to get the vehicle I wanted, but it was well worth it! My wife, who only drives Honda products, is even impressed and now I get to drive the Accord to work because she has claimed the Explorer. It is the most comfortable we have ever owned.
     
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