Standard SUVs · Gasoline · model year 2026
Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is rated 4 MPG higher than the Dodge Durango in model year 2026, 24 against 20 combined, which is 20% more distance from the same energy.
Side by side
| Measure | Dodge Durango | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Combined fuel economy (best version) | 20 MPG | 24 MPG |
| City | 17 MPG | 20 MPG |
| Highway | 24 MPG | 29 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,350 | $2,800 |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 449 g/mile | 377 g/mile |
| Lowest rated version | 13 MPG | 19 MPG |
| Rated versions | 5 | 6 |
| Rank in class (best combined rating) | 61st of 90 | 30th of 90 |
| Class | Standard SUVs | Standard SUVs |
| Powertrain | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Better figure in bold; each model's most efficient version.
Fuel economy and cost
Fuel bills differ by $550 a year. The Ford Explorer comes to $2,800 and the Dodge Durango to $3,350, both at 15,000 miles a year.
Where each one ranks
Within their class the Dodge Durango is tied for 61st of 90 standard SUVs, in the lower half. The Ford Explorer is tied for 30th of 90 standard SUVs, in the upper half.
The Dodge Durango has 5 rated versions, from 13 to 20 MPG. The Ford Explorer has 6, from 19 to 24 MPG. For the most efficient versions, the Dodge Durango is rated 7 higher on the highway (24 against 17), while the Ford Explorer is rated 9 higher on the highway (29 against 20).
Their lineups meet at 20 MPG: Durango AWD: 3.6 L, 6 cyl, Automatic 8-spd, AWD for the Dodge Durango and Explorer AWD: 3.0 L, 6 cyl, Automatic (S10), part-time 4WD for the Ford Explorer.
Ratings by model year
Both models are in the data for 8 model years, 2019 to 2026. The Dodge Durango has the higher best rating in 0 of them and the Ford Explorer in 8. The widest gap, 4 MPG, was in 2026, when the Ford Explorer led.
| Model year | Dodge Durango | Ford Explorer | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 24 | -4 |
| 2025 | 20 | 24 | -4 |
| 2024 | 21 | 24 | -3 |
| 2023 | 21 | 24 | -3 |
| 2022 | 21 | 24 | -3 |
| 2021 | 21 | 24 | -3 |
| 2020 | 21 | 24 | -3 |
| 2019 | 21 | 22 | -1 |