Comparing the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango specs reveals differences in towing capacity, cargo space, and available engine options. If you are shopping for a capable SUV, these two American icons likely top your list. Both come from the same parent company, Stellantis, but they serve slightly different crowds. The Grand Cherokee feels more like a refined off-roader, while the Durango leans into muscle and family hauling. Let’s break down the numbers so you can pick the right one for your driveway.
You might be wondering which SUV gives you more power for your money. Or maybe you need to tow a boat every weekend. Either way, understanding the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Dodge Durango specs is the first step. We will look at engines, towing, interior room, and tech features. By the end, you will know exactly which SUV fits your life better.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Vs Dodge Durango Specs: Engine And Performance
Under the hood, these two SUVs take different paths. The Grand Cherokee offers a mix of efficiency and off-road capability. The Durango, on the other hand, is all about straight-line speed and towing grunt.
Base Engine Options
The standard engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a 3.6-liter V6. It makes 293 horsepower and 257 lb-ft of torque. This engine is smooth and works well for daily driving. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Dodge Durango also starts with a 3.6-liter V6. But here, it produces 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That is slightly more than the Jeep. The Durango also uses an 8-speed automatic. Both SUVs can tow around 6,200 to 6,500 pounds with the V6.
Upgraded V8 Power
If you want more muscle, both SUVs offer V8 engines. The Grand Cherokee offers a 5.7-liter HEMI V8. This engine makes 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. It gives the Jeep a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds.
The Durango takes things further. It offers the same 5.7-liter HEMI, but also a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT model. The 6.4-liter pumps out 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. That makes the Durango one of the fastest three-row SUVs on the market. Towing maxes out at 8,700 pounds with the V8.
Performance Variants
Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee with a 4xe plug-in hybrid option. This combines a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with an electric motor. Total output is 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It also gives you about 25 miles of electric-only range.
Dodge does not offer a hybrid. Instead, they focus on the Durango SRT Hellcat. This beast uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making 710 horsepower. It can hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds. That is supercar territory in a family SUV.
Dimensions And Cargo Space
Size matters when you are hauling people or gear. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a two-row SUV by default. The Dodge Durango comes standard with three rows. This changes everything about interior space.
Exterior Dimensions
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is about 189 inches long. It sits on a 116.7-inch wheelbase. It is around 70 inches tall and 78 inches wide. This makes it easy to park in tight spots.
The Dodge Durango is bigger. It measures about 201 inches long. The wheelbase is 119.8 inches. It is also taller at 71 inches and wider at 79 inches. The extra length gives it more interior room.
Cargo Capacity
Behind the rear seats, the Grand Cherokee offers 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the seats down and you get 70.8 cubic feet. That is good for a two-row SUV.
The Durango has less space behind the third row. You get only 17.2 cubic feet with all seats up. But fold the third row and you have 43.3 cubic feet. With both rows folded, you get 85.1 cubic feet. The Durango wins for maximum cargo capacity.
Passenger Space
In the front row, both SUVs feel spacious. The Grand Cherokee offers 39.4 inches of headroom and 40.1 inches of legroom. The Durango has 39.9 inches of headroom and 40.3 inches of legroom up front.
Second row is where things differ. The Grand Cherokee gives you 38.6 inches of headroom and 38.2 inches of legroom. The Durango offers 39.8 inches of headroom and 38.6 inches of legroom. The Durango is slightly roomier.
Third row in the Durango is tight. Headroom is 37.8 inches and legroom is 30.9 inches. Adults will not want to sit back there for long trips. Kids will be fine.
Towing And Capability
Towing is a big reason people buy large SUVs. The Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Dodge Durango specs show clear differences here. The Durango can tow more, especially with the V8.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Towing
With the V6 engine, the Grand Cherokee can tow up to 6,200 pounds. That is enough for a small boat or a camper trailer. The V8 bumps that to 7,200 pounds. The 4xe hybrid tows 6,000 pounds.
All Grand Cherokees come with a standard Class III hitch receiver. Trailer sway control is also standard. You can add a brake controller from the factory.
Dodge Durango Towing
The Durango V6 can tow 6,200 pounds. The 5.7-liter V8 can tow 8,700 pounds. That is a huge jump. The 6.4-liter SRT tows 8,700 pounds too. The Hellcat tows 7,700 pounds.
Durango offers an optional Trailer Tow Group. This includes a hitch, wiring harness, and heavy-duty cooling. It is a must if you plan to tow often.
Off-Road Capability
Jeep is known for off-roading. The Grand Cherokee offers Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Drive II systems. These include a two-speed transfer case and rear electronic limited-slip differential. You also get adjustable air suspension on higher trims.
The Durango is not built for serious off-roading. It has all-wheel drive, but no low-range gearing. Ground clearance is 8.1 inches, compared to 8.6 inches on the Grand Cherokee. If you go off-road, pick the Jeep.
Interior Quality And Technology
Both SUVs have nice interiors, but they feel different. The Grand Cherokee focuses on luxury and refinement. The Durango feels more rugged and sporty.
Seating And Materials
The Grand Cherokee uses soft-touch materials everywhere. Leather seats are available on most trims. The Summit model adds real wood trim and quilted leather. Front seats are heated and ventilated on higher trims.
The Durango also offers leather, but it feels less premium. The seats are firmer and more supportive. The SRT models have suede inserts and performance seats. The Durango is more about function than luxury.
Infotainment Systems
Both SUVs use Uconnect systems. The Grand Cherokee has a standard 8.4-inch touchscreen. An optional 10.1-inch screen is available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
The Durango also starts with an 8.4-inch screen. You can upgrade to a 10.1-inch screen too. The system is fast and easy to use. Both have physical knobs for volume and tuning.
Sound Systems
The Grand Cherokee offers a 19-speaker McIntosh system. This is one of the best sound systems in any SUV. It costs extra but sounds incredible.
The Durango has a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. It is also very good, but not quite as refined as the McIntosh. Both systems will satisfy most music lovers.
Safety And Driver Assistance
Safety is important for any family SUV. Both the Grand Cherokee and Durango offer good safety features. But the Jeep has a slight edge in standard equipment.
Standard Safety Features
The Grand Cherokee comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard. You get adaptive cruise control on higher trims.
The Durango has fewer standard safety features. You get a rearview camera and parking sensors. But blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are optional. You have to pay extra for them.
Crash Test Ratings
The Grand Cherokee earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It also got Good scores from IIHS in most tests. The Durango also got five stars from NHTSA. IIHS gave it Good ratings too, but headlights were rated Poor on some trims.
Both SUVs are safe. But the Grand Cherokee offers more standard safety tech. If safety is your top priority, the Jeep is the better choice.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is not great in either SUV. But there are differences between the engines. The Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrid is the most efficient.
Jeep Grand Cherokee MPG
The V6 Grand Cherokee gets 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Combined is 22 mpg. The V8 drops to 14 city and 22 highway. Combined is 17 mpg.
The 4xe hybrid is much better. It gets 56 MPGe combined. On gas only, it gets 23 mpg combined. That is impressive for a large SUV.
Dodge Durango MPG
The Durango V6 gets 19 city and 26 highway. Combined is 22 mpg. The 5.7-liter V8 gets 14 city and 22 highway. Combined is 17 mpg.
The SRT 6.4-liter V8 gets 13 city and 19 highway. The Hellcat gets 11 city and 17 highway. If you care about fuel economy, avoid the V8s.
Pricing And Trims
Price is a big factor in any car purchase. The Grand Cherokee starts higher but offers more luxury. The Durango is cheaper but has less standard equipment.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Pricing
The Grand Cherokee starts around $40,000 for the base Laredo trim. The Limited trim is about $45,000. The Overland is $50,000. The Summit is $55,000. The Summit Reserve is $60,000.
The 4xe hybrid starts at $55,000. The Trailhawk off-road trim is $52,000. Prices can go over $70,000 for fully loaded models.
Dodge Durango Pricing
The Durango starts around $38,000 for the SXT trim. The GT is $42,000. The R/T with V8 is $48,000. The Citadel is $52,000.
The SRT 392 is $65,000. The Hellcat is $90,000. The Durango is cheaper at the base level, but the top trims are expensive.
Which One Should You Buy?
Now you have all the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Dodge Durango specs. The choice comes down to your needs. If you want luxury, off-road ability, and better fuel economy, get the Grand Cherokee. If you need three rows, more towing capacity, and raw power, get the Durango.
The Grand Cherokee is better for daily driving and light off-roading. The Durango is better for towing and hauling a big family. Both are great SUVs. You just need to decide what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV Has More Cargo Space, Jeep Grand Cherokee Or Dodge Durango?
The Dodge Durango has more maximum cargo space at 85.1 cubic feet. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has 70.8 cubic feet. But the Durango has less space behind the third row.
Can The Dodge Durango Go Off-road Like The Jeep Grand Cherokee?
No. The Durango is not built for serious off-roading. It lacks low-range gearing and has less ground clearance. The Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Drive II is much more capable off-road.
Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe Worth The Extra Cost?
If you drive short distances and can charge at home, yes. The 4xe saves you money on gas. It also offers strong performance. But it costs more upfront than the V6 model.
Which SUV Tows More, Grand Cherokee Or Durango?
The Dodge Durango tows more. With the V8, it can tow up to 8,700 pounds. The Grand Cherokee maxes out at 7,200 pounds. The Durango is the better choice for heavy towing.
Do The Jeep Grand Cherokee And Dodge Durango Have The Same Engines?
They share the 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8. But the Durango also offers a 6.4-liter V8 and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. The Grand Cherokee has a plug-in hybrid option. So they are similar but not identical.