Comparison: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango

Having owned two Explorers, I don't think I'd own another one, as both my dealer and I can't get Ford to honor my Extended Warranty I bought from Ford.  Now, this new Explorer is nice, but with the same size engine (290hp), the Dodge beat it.  Plus with the longer wheelbase, the Dodge is more comfortable.  Ford cut the wheelbase on the new Explorer by one inch from the previous model, too. While beauty is subjective, I agree with TruckTrend that the Dodge is more handsome and it has a superior powertrain warranty.  I'd probably opt for the V8.  At least with Dodge, you get a more powerful engine when you pay more.  Ford wants to charge more for the 4 cylinder, less powerful engine.  The only negative for the Dodge is the 5 speed.  But they have promised to bring the 8 speed on board next year.  To me, it's not a contest, especially if you wait until next year to get the even better Dodge.

Well, I don't agree that the Durango looks better at all. The Durango just looks like a Toyota Sequoia, and a much smaller one at that.

To speak of what's out right now, the 6 speed has a significant advantage over the 5 speed. And the supposed 8 speed that's comming out isn't even a Chrysler transmission it's foreign-separate company "ZF" engineered. Where as the 6 speed SelectShift, is actually Ford engineered.

I don't see any advantage in the Hp really, I'm not, and I know  alot of others, are not looking for straight line performace in such a vehicle.


You have to bring up that the Explorer is significantly wider than the Durango, and width is a major factor, maybe even the biggest factor in making the car appear larger, and having seen both vehicles at the auto show, the Explorers width is quite noticably wider.

As for the towing, I a hint on the website "7,700 pounds" of towing stated for the Explorer. This infers that the Future Explorer will tow around 7,700 Lb's maybe even more as time passes. As for comfort, I like a hard ride, I'm not much of a confor person. Going on long freeway trips, I don't want anything that's going to make my muscles relax. And when I stop at  a rest stop to stay the nigh, and recline the seat back. I actually prefer a harder platform than a soft one. The Durango grill cross-stripe outlining makes it look too much like a luxury car. And at the auto show I noticed the Durango appeared more glued to the ground, whether or not in actuality it is or not. Advanced terran management, more off-road worthy appearance in my opinion, better fuel efficiency, complete reengineering, and doesn't look like a mini-Toyota Sequoia, It's Ford Explorer without a contest for me. I even saw one at the dealer with a front bull bar armor guard.

Someone here mentioned the Durango transmission is foreign.  Yes, many are.  I test drove a Mustang GT and saw that the 6 speed gearbox was made in China.  The salesman said, "you know, it's a global market now".  He's right.  I wouldn't let a foreign made transmission ruin your day.  Heck, Chrysler is headed by Fiat, so we are global.  I agree with some of the other writers on the other blogs that the Explorer is too much like the crossover Edge with its FWD and low towing capacity.  The Durango, like the Grand Cherokee, is a true SUV.  Of course, if people are looking for economy, the Explorer offers a 4 cylinder engine.  But if you like to drive and have some performance, the V8 Hemi is the way to go.

It's more than just "made in China". Sure the Mustang gearbox might be made a foreign country. (Whether it really is or not I'm not sure) But it's still a Ford engineered transmission. The Chrysler transmission is a ZF, that not only will made made in a foreign country, but all the design and engineering will be as well. And it's not Fiat that's designing the transmission, it's ZF, a company that also designed some Ford transmissions, and is in no way a part of Chrysler. And lets get this straight, the Explorer looks nothing like the Edge. In fact it was designed by a Land Rover employee. (Ford owned Land Rover). Speaking of what's the true SUV, the Explorer has already been determined to have larger wheel wells. Hence the better off-road performace. Hence why it has less cargo-area despite being significantly wider. I would say that's a bigger SUV characteristic than the Durango. But in real time, both the Cherokee, and the Durango are unibody, which means they are both car-based just based on that.

As a matter of fact, the Body On Frame Ford Explorer was ranked best for Truck people, and the Grand Cherokee was ranked best for car people. Yes that was a true ranking. And this was BEFORE the Cherokee was hunkered down to be less off-road worthy and on road-worthy. Now that the Explorer is unibody, it might be different when it comes to off-road, but remember that the Body On Frame Explorer's (last ones are 2010) are allways going to roam the roads you drive your new Cherokee on, and they were given the title best Truck, while you're Grand Cherokee was ranked as a car, even before the Cherokee became more car-like. The new unibody Ford Explorer has off-road advantages over the Grand Cherokee in that it's larger. The Cherokee is a mid-size crossover SUV, and the Explorer is a full-size crossover SUV. And the Explorer has a major width advantage (which is not the only size advantage the Explorer has) over the Cherokee, and width is a quality essential for off-road.

The Grand Cherokee has been car-based unibody its whole life, and the Explorer has been Body-On-Frame for it's whole life till 2010. And that's really what makes a true SUV. I could still go to the dealer and find an Explorer with the thick, tough steel frame. The Cherokee, doesn't have one. And when you bring the Durango in, and speak off road, I see the clear winner being the Explorer. Not only does it have larger wheel wells for more tire clearance, anda Terrain Management System, IT has a the width advantage as well. Not to mention the Durango looks more like a luxury road-dwelling vehicle. And Ford still has a rear wheel drive Body-On-Frame SUV. A Full-size SUV one as a matter of fact. It can tow 9,200 pounds and has a large V-8 engine. It's called the Expedition, and the Expedition EL. The Expedition dwarfs the Durango, and the Grand Cherokee.

The way I see it is the 2011 Explorer gets better gasoline mileage than he V-6 Durango, It's significantly faster than the V-6 Durango, (and barely slower than the V-8). Wider and better off road capability than the Durnago, and a more advanced Ford-engineered gearbox. You can bet Ford will up the towing to the Durango's level in the future, possibly with the twin-turbo model. And if I want a "real" SUV I will buy the 2010 Explorer with the beefy Steel underbody, or the Expedition. But I'm content with the 2011. Especially when I add a front armor bull bar. And you can soon bet almost around 7,500 Lbs of towing is in the cards.

Like others have said in other publications, Ford hasn't been able to explain the real difference between the Edge and Explorer...though I understand puts a slightly more powerful V6 in the Edge Sport.  They're both FWD and with the short wheelbase, like Truck Trend says, it's not very comfortable.  Of course, Ford has reduced the Mustang's wheelbase and is over 5 inches shorter than the best-selling ponycar, Camaro.  I have always owned Explorers but with its shortcomings, pointed out by Truck Trend, its weaker powertrain warranty, and its crossover towing capacity, it isn't in the same league as the Durango.  Of course, the full-sized Expedition would fill the bill for those who want a true SUV...and, like me, a Ford.

Are you an idiot? " As others have said in other publications Ford hasn't been able to explain the real difference between the Edge and the Explorer". That's a load of bull *** other publications realize the huge difference between the two vehicles.
Try reading what I wrote and stop trying to be an idiot. Yeah, okay Chrysler hasn't states the REAL difference between the Durango and the Mercedes ML. The Durango is based on the ML, chassis. First of all, try and not be a complete Nimrod and actually read the FULL comment, and not just blabber bull out of your ass.

The Explorer is a lot bigger than the Edge, and has a longer wheelbase, a shorter wheelbase is more ideal for off-roading. Michael Green who engineered Willy's CJ Jeep and wrote a book praising the Hummer H1, said the Ideal off road vehicle needs to be square as possible. It might have a shorter wheelbase but it's a WIDER. In the Scheme of things the Explorer could easily be called larger than the Durango

The Explorer continues to score lowest in comparison tests.  Some criticized the MyFord system, but I don't think that should be a part of the rating for the vehicle itself.  But as stated above, even Ford salesmen get tongue-tied when you ask them what the difference is between the Edge and the Explorer.  Let's throw in the Flex...a wagon considerably smaller than the old Ford wagons but large by today's downsized vehicles.  Maybe the new Explorer's ride has less to do with its shorter wheelbase and more to do with other factors.  As owners of several Explorers (and 12 Fords) over 40 years, I'm sad to see what has happened.  Like one of the writers above said, maybe an Expedition is the answer.