2012 Dodge Durango vs 2012 Ford Explorer

2012 Dodge Durango

2012 Ford Explorer

Select style

2WD 4-Door Citadel

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Durango 2WD 4-Door Citadel	16	23	$38,576	$40,995
Durango 2WD 4-Door Crew	16	23	$32,024	$33,795
Durango 2WD 4-Door Heat	16	23	$29,444	$30,960
Durango 2WD 4-Door R/T	14	20	$33,844	$35,795
Durango 2WD 4-Door SXT	16	23	$27,656	$28,995
Durango AWD 4-Door Citadel	16	22	$40,643	$43,195
Durango AWD 4-Door Crew	16	22	$34,091	$35,995
Durango AWD 4-Door Heat	16	22	$31,374	$33,010
Durango AWD 4-Door R/T	13	20	$36,275	$38,395
Durango AWD 4-Door SXT	16	22	$29,723	$31,195

Select style

4WD 4-Door Base

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Base	17	23	$28,677	$30,280
Explorer 4WD 4-Door Limited	17	23	$37,088	$39,855
Explorer 4WD 4-Door XLT	17	23	$31,847	$34,095
Explorer FWD 4-Door Base	18	25	$26,837	$28,280
Explorer FWD 4-Door Limited	18	25	$35,268	$37,855
Explorer FWD 4-Door XLT	18	25	$30,027	$32,095

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$38,576

$28,677

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$40,995

$30,280

Monthly Payment Estimate

$683 / month

$505 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

Call it the anti-crossover: the Dodge Durango does SUV dirty work, but carries itself like a civilized family wagon.

It's a rifle shot at the heart of the crossover market: the 2012 Ford Explorer gives any SUV loyalist a reason to leap off their very high horse.

TCC Likes

Feels sophisticated and refined
Strong HEMI performance
Great steering feel for a ute

Great mix of SUV, crossover cues
Cabin is spacious, with plenty of headroom
Electric steering is wired for fun

TCC Dislikes

Third-row access isn't easy
A bit of head toss
Gas mileage lags the class

A soft-roader with less dirt under its nails
MyFord Touch's glitches and learning curve
EcoBoost costs more, not less, than V-6

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

2WD Sport Utility Vehicle

Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

56.0

56.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

61.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

106.2

151.7

Third Leg Room (in)

31.5

33.2

Second Head Room (in)

39.8

40.5

Third Hip Room (in)

42.8

40.7

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.3

61.0

Front Leg Room (in)

40.3

40.6

Passenger Capacity

Third Head Room (in)

37.8

Front Hip Room (in)

57.0

57.3

Third Shoulder Room (in)

50.4

50.8

Second Leg Room (in)

38.6

39.8

Front Head Room (in)

39.9

41.4

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in)

119.8

112.6

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

32.2

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

75.8

78.9

Track Width, Front (in)

63.9

67.0

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.1

7.6

Length, Overall (in)

199.8

197.1

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Height, Overall (in)

70.9

70.4

Liftover Height (in)

32.2

- TBD -

Track Width, Rear (in)

64.1

67.0

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

47.7

43.8

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

84.5

80.7

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

17.2

21.0

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

- TBD -

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.0 x 0.9

- TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.8 x 1.3

- TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

24.6

18.6

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

19.0

15.8

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.1

38.9

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.7

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

N/A

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

TV9

- TBD -

Front Tire Size

P265/50R20

P245/65R17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

TV9

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

TBK

Rear Tire Size

P265/50R20

P245/65R17

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

200

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

930

300

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

2000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

6200

2000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4905

4732

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.0

17 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.0

17 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

14.0

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

750

650

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

175

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

260 @ 4800

255 @ 4100

Engine Order Code

ERB

998

Displacement

3.6L/220

3.5L/213

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

290 @ 6400

290 @ 6500

Engine Type

Gas/Ethanol V6

Gas V6

Fuel System

Electronic fuel injection

Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

1.84

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Four Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.83

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.16

2.88

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.19

2.87

Trans Order Code

DGJ

44J

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.09

3.39

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.41

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic w/manual shift

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.59

4.48

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

1.00

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

Summary

Vehicle Name

Dodge Durango

Ford Explorer

Body Style

Sport Utility Vehicle

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

1.26

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

SLA

MacPherson strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

0.86

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

9.8

9.6

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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