Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Is There Any Real Difference?

The Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee are both dominant nameplates in the midsize SUV market segment. They often come as the top two choices among people looking for mid-sized SUVs that have that all-american appearance.

What consumers often don’t know is that they’re both manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and are built on exactly the same platform. As a result, these two unibody SUVs have a lot in common.

But there are also major differences between the two. Most notably, the Durango is a 7-seater whereas the Grand Cherokee is a 5-seater.

To help give you a better understanding of what separates these two models, let’s explore the features and attributes of them in closer detail.

Quick Summary

The Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee are both manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and share the same platform. Performance, features and interior styling is largely the same, but the Dodge Durango is 10 inches longer and has a third row of seats.

Dodge Durango front view
Durango
Dodge Durango front view
Grand Cherokee

Price

The base model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Laredo E, starts at $31,765, and the pricing soars up to $69,410 for the SRT® Hellcat model. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk model is the most expensive, with a starting price of $87,915.

The 2021 Dodge Durango, on the other hand, starts at $31,765 for the SXT model, and the price climbs to $80,995 for the SRT® Hellcat model.

Therefore, despite being the bigger vehicle, the Dodge Durango’s price is virtually indistinguishable from that of the Grand Cherokee.

Dodge Durango rear view
Durango
Jeep Grand Cherokee rear view
Grand Cherokee

Design

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee has a modern take on its classic design. Its iconic 7 slot front grille, which represents Jeep traveling across all 7 continents in its history, is ringed by two slim headlights which give it a mean and lean look.

By comparison, the Dodge Durango has a more classic design that pays homage to the iconic Dodge muscle cars of the 1960s. Its longer body makes it a less capable off-roader than the Jeep, but on the highway few cars will have as much presence as the Durango.

While things look very different on the exterior, it becomes easily apparent that both the Durango and Grand Cherokee share the same blood once you step inside. Aside from a few superficial differences here and there, the basic interiors are practically identical.

Dodge Durango interior
Durango
Jeep Grand Cherokee interior
Grand Cherokee

Size and Capacity

Despite belonging in the same size segment, the Dodge Durango is larger than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

It is 201.2 inches long, 75.8 inches wide, and 70.9 inches high while the Jeep Grand Cherokee is 189.8 inches long, 76.5 inches wide, and 69.3 inches high. The Durango’s wheelbase is also 5.1 inches longer than that of the Grand Cherokee.

On the inside, the Durango also offers a much roomier cabin with a total passenger volume of 141.4 cubic feet as opposed to the Grand Cherokee’s total passenger volume of 105.4 cubic feet.

Although the difference is significant, passengers in the first and second row of the Durango won’t have any more room than the Grand Cherokee. That’s because the Durango can accommodate up to 7 passengers while the Grand Cherokee only carries up to 5. So the Durango’s extra passenger volume only becomes noticeable when you’re carrying extra passengers.

When it comes to cargo space, the Durango again handily beats the Grand Cherokee with its total cargo volume of 85.1 cubic feet when its 2nd-row and 3rd-row seats are folded down flat.

The Grand Cherokee offers up to 68.3 cubic feet when its rear seats are folded down. Once again, this result is expected, since the Durango is 10 inches longer than the Grand Cherokee.

Dodge Durango rear seats
The Durango’s longer body means it can afford a third row of seats

Power and Performance

Both the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee also offer a range of engines depending on the trim.

The Dodge Durango SXT, GT, and Citadel models come equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The R/T model gets a 5.7-liter V8 engine rated at 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, while the range-topping SRT® model gets an even more powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine rated at 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. All of these engines come matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is also offered with several engine options, and in most cases shares the exact same engine as those found in the Dodge Durango. Most of its models are offered with a standard 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine that generates 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Its Limited, Overland, High Altitude, and Summit models can be had with an available 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine that develops 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, or alternatively, a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.

Like the Dodge Durango SRT®, the Grand Cherokee SRT® model also gets a 6.4-liter V8 engine rated at 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the Grand Cherokee goes further and offers a track-tuned Trackhawk model that houses the most powerful engine of all – a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that develops 707 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. The Trackhawk boasts an incredible 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds.

Convenience Features

Both the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee offer comparable convenience features. Some of the features that the Durango offers in all its trims include a three-zone automatic climate control system, keyless entry with push-button start, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 7-inch Uconnect® touchscreen infotainment system that offers smartphone integration via both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™.

Its higher trim levels add features like an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated front seats, a 9-speaker Alpine® audio system with a subwoofer, a dual-screen rear entertainment system with Blu-ray compatibility, and much more.

No doubt because both models are made by the same manufacturer, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a very similar list of standard features. This also includes a keyless entry system with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control system, a 7-inch Uconnect® touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and a 6-speaker sound system.

The Grand Cherokee’s higher trim levels add features like a 19-speaker Harman Kardon® audio system with a subwoofer and amplifier, leather upholstery, auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirrors, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and more.

Verdict

There’s no doubting that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the preferred choice for the masses. Jeep is growing faster than any other American automaker and the Grand Cherokee is only second to the Ford Explorer in its segment.

But there’s definitely something special about the often underappreciated Dodge Durango.

While it may not be as iconic as the Jeep, it’s hard not to be drawn to its classic American styling. It also carries an extra two passengers should the need arise, all the while costing slightly less than the Grand Cherokee.

Overall, we think the Dodge Durango is the way to go if you don’t need the Jeep badge and want to set yourself apart from the Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokees that dominate US roads.

Related: Jeep Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee

Comparison Table

2021 Dodge Durango2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Trim
Price$33377$33610
Performance
Engine3.6L V6 Gas3.6L V6 Gas
Horsepower293 hp @ 6400 rpm293 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Transmission8-Speed Automatic8-Speed Automatic
DrivetrainRear-Wheel DriveRear-Wheel Drive
Handling
Steering TypeRack-PinionRack-Pinion
Rear Suspension-Multi-Link
Rear Wheel SizeP265/60TR18P265/60R18
Front Suspension-Short And Long Arm
Front Wheel SizeP265/60TR18P265/60R18
Turning Diameter (ft.)41.037.1
Fuel Economy
MPG/MPGe - Hwy2626
MPG/MPGe - City1919
MPG/MPGe - Combined2121
Gas Tank Size (gallons)24.624.6
Cruising Range - Hwy (miles)639.6639.6
Size and Weight
Height (in.)70.169.3
Length (in.)200.8189.8
Weight (lbs)-4513
Max Width (in.)75.876.5
Wheelbase (in.)119.8114.8
Interior Dimensions
Seating Capacity55
Front Seat Leg Room (in.)40.340.3
Front Seat Head Room (in.)39.939.9
Front Seat Hip Room (in.)57.057.0
Front Seat Shoulder Room (in.)58.558.7
Rear Seat Leg room (in.)38.638.6
Rear Seat Head Room (in.)39.839.2
Rear Seat Hip Room (in.)55.556.2
Rear Seat Shoulder Room (in.)57.758.0
Infotainment Features
HD RadioOptionalNot Available
MP3 PlayerStandardStandard
WiFi HotspotOptionalNot Available
Satellite RadioStandardNot Available
Bluetooth ConnectionStandardStandard
Entertainment SystemNot AvailableNot Available
Premium Sound SystemNot AvailableNot Available
Auxiliary Audio InputStandardStandard
Smart Device IntegrationStandardStandard
Hard Disk Drive Media StorageNot AvailableNot Available
Interior Trim
Cloth SeatsStandardStandard
Vinyl SeatsNot AvailableNot Available
Leather SeatsNot AvailableNot Available
Premium Synthetic SeatsNot AvailableNot Available
Bucket SeatsStandardStandard
Sun/MoonroofNot AvailableOptional
Leather Steering WheelStandardStandard
Woodgrain Interior TrimNot AvailableStandard
Comfort Features
A/CStandardStandard
Rear A/CStandardNot Available
TelematicsNot AvailableNot Available
Seat MemoryNot AvailableNot Available
Seat-MassageNot AvailableNot Available
Keyless EntryStandardStandard
Keyless StartStandardStandard
Cruise ControlStandardStandard
Multi-Zone A/CStandardStandard
Power LiftgateNot AvailableOptional
Climate ControlStandardStandard
Head-Up DisplayNot AvailableNot Available
Power Mirror(s)StandardStandard
Automatic ParkingNot AvailableNot Available
Navigation SystemNot AvailableNot Available
Power Driver SeatNot AvailableStandard
Cooled Rear Seat(s)Not AvailableNot Available
Hands-Free LiftgateNot AvailableNot Available
Heated Rear Seat(s)Not AvailableNot Available
Remote Engine StartNot AvailableOptional
Cooled Front Seat(s)Not AvailableNot Available
Heated Front Seat(s)Not AvailableOptional
Power Passenger SeatNot AvailableNot Available
Remote Trunk ReleaseNot AvailableOptional
Heated Steering WheelNot AvailableOptional
Adaptive Cruise ControlNot AvailableNot Available
Navigation from TelematicsNot AvailableNot Available
Universal Garage Door OpenerNot AvailableOptional
Steering Wheel Audio ControlsStandardNot Available
Safety Features
ABSStandardStandard
Brake AssistStandardStandard
Night VisionNot AvailableNot Available
Rear Parking AidNot AvailableStandard
Traction ControlStandardStandard
Stability ControlStandardStandard
Blind Spot MonitorNot AvailableStandard
Cross-Traffic AlertNot AvailableNot Available
Lane Keeping AssistNot AvailableOptional
Tire Pressure MonitorStandardStandard
Lane Departure WarningNot AvailableOptional
Airbags
Knee Air BagStandardStandard
Driver Air BagStandardStandard
Seatbelt Air BagNot AvailableNot Available
Passenger Air BagStandardStandard
Rear Head Air BagStandardStandard
Rear Side Air BagNot AvailableNot Available
Front Head Air BagStandardStandard
Front Side Air BagStandardStandard
Warranty
Basic3 Years / 36,000 Miles3 Years / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion5 Years / Unlimited Miles5 Years / Unlimited Miles
Drivetrain5 Years / 60,000 Miles5 Years / 60,000 Miles
Maintenance-3 Years / Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance5 Years / 60,000 Miles5 Years / 60,000 Miles