2022 Dodge Durango

Dodge may claim the Durango is a Charger on stilts, but the handling doesn't reflect that. On the plus side, the steering is direct and heavy. Given the weight, the amount of lean through the corners is also surprisingly minimal. That being said, it's not easy to make a 5,000-pound SUV handle like a performance car. It is possible, as BMW, Porsche, and Alfa Romeo have proved, but doing so requires all sorts of expensive kit like adjustable damping and traction management systems, air suspension, and torque vectoring which aren't viable on these run-of-the-mill models.

The Durango's handling is best described as soft and safe. You can push it hard, but it will eventually run wide. And while the brakes are powerful, they will ultimately fade following repeated abuse. The softer suspension setup is much better, considering the Durango will be used to transport families.

It doesn't have the best off-road-related figures, but it can do a little more than your average SUV. V6 models are equipped with a basic AWD system with a 50:50 torque split. The V8 with a tow package comes with a two-speed transfer case, including an option of locking the 50:50 split in place. A full-time active AWD system is optional.

The Durango is a stylish, comfortable, powerful, and affordable seven-seater crossover. It's one of a few left with a V8 option, with most competitors sticking with six-cylinder power or opting for small-capacity turbocharged engines. There are a few things that count in its favor. It's large, it has loads of space, the interior is better than before, and you can have it with racing stripes. It's also the undisputed towing king, making full use of a RWD platform and brawny engines. Other than that, the competition has it pretty much licked. It now has a decent complement of driver-assistance features too. But the engines are old and the performance from the V8 is mediocre, even if it is characterful. It lacks true stand-out virtues unless you count the above-average towing capacities. In short, the Durango has been around for far too long, and this recent facelift is not enough to save it. It requires a complete rethink from the ground up to be considered competitive again.

Compared to the Durango, the Chevrolet Traverse looks dull. It has lights at the front and lights at the rear and a generic SUV body in the middle. The Durango is also better at towing, as the Traverse can only manage 5,000 lbs in the correct setup. From there, the scale tips in the Traverse's favor. It also has a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine, but it produces 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available from 2,800 rpm, giving it a nice linear powerband. Its nine-speed gearbox is tuned for fuel efficiency and not sprint times, but it's easy to live with and easy on the pocket, too. There are still some cheap surfaces inside the Traverse, but it also boasts an eight-inch infotainment system with all the latest connectivity features.

The Traverse has two selling points. It easily beats the Durango when it comes to packing space, but the best thing about it is the price. The LT Leather model comes with a list of standard features that, by comparison, makes the Durango's interior look like a deep, dark void. Driver assistance systems are also standard. This particular model has an MSRP of $39,900, undercutting the equivalent Durango model. The Traverse also has a larger model selection, starting at $33,700. Unless you're buying for towing capacity or the sound of a V8, the Traverse makes more sense.

This battle is a bit one-sided. There's a very good reason the Explorer is America's best-selling midsize SUV ever. The Explorer has a much nicer interior and comes as standard with more comfort and convenience items. Crucially, the Explorer range comes standard with forward-collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist, and lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. As these are essentially family vehicles, you can't ignore the Ford's Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Ford's engine options are a generation ahead as well. The Dodge's V6 competes with the 300-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost, while the R/T goes up against the 400 hp/415 lb-ft Explorer ST. Unlike the R/T, it has the show to match the go. You can tell the Explorer is a product of the modern world, while the Durango feels a generation behind. We'd spend our money on the Ford.