2027 Dodge Durango vs Chevrolet Traverse: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the Durango — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–3.5 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (49.6% vs 41.8%) and more available power (710 hp vs 328 hp). Choose the Traverse if the lower sticker matters most ($40,800 vs $43,675 to start).

Scorecard: Durango 3.5 pts · Traverse 3.5 pts across 6 scored categories.

The scorecard

Durango vs Traverse scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2027 Durango2027 TraverseWinner
Starting MSRP (2)$43,675$40,800Traverse
NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2)0.61—No data
5-year value retained (1.5)49.6%41.8%Durango
Best EPA combined (1.5)20 mpg22 mpgTraverse
Most horsepower available (1)710 hp328 hpDurango
Max towing (1)8,700 lb5,000 lbDurango
Median discount verified buyers got (1)—3.8% off MSRPNo data
Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5)22Tie
Weighted points3.53.5Durango

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: the Traverse — 22 mpg vs 20 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Budget. Tight budgets: the Traverse — $40,800 vs $43,675 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $27,974 for the Durango vs $25,158 for the Traverse.
  • Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Durango — 49.6% vs 41.8% (5-year value retained).
  • Towing. Towing: the Durango — 8,700 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

The Durango starts at $43,675 and tops out at $80,495; the Traverse runs $40,800 to $55,400 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Traverse buyers paid a median 3.8% off MSRP across 18 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8% off. Used, the median asking price is $27,974 for the Durango and $25,158 for the Traverse (all model years, US dealer listings).

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • Durango: 0.61 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 33th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • Traverse: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
  • Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Durango 2, Traverse 2.

Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Durango 2016 (solid) · Traverse 2016 (caution).

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

Durango vs Traverse specifications
2027 Durango2027 Traverse
Starting MSRP (base trim)$43,675$40,800
Top-trim MSRP$80,495$55,400
Horsepower360–710 hp328 hp
Max torque645 lb-ft326 lb-ft
EPA combined13–20 mpg21–22 mpg
Max towing8,700 lb5,000 lb
Max payload1,590 lb—
Seats (standard / max)— / 7— / 8

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

Resale: 5-year value retained

A 5-year-old (2021) Durango lists for a median $25,298 — 49.6% of today's median new price of $51,025. A 5-year-old (2021) Traverse lists for a median $20,999 — 41.8% of today's median new price of $50,206.

Shop both

Negotiating either one?

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Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the Durango better than the Traverse?

On our data, yes. Our pick: the Durango — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–3.5 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (49.6% vs 41.8%) and more available power (710 hp vs 328 hp). Choose the Traverse if the lower sticker matters most ($40,800 vs $43,675 to start).

Which is more reliable, the Durango or the Traverse?

We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Durango and 2 for the Traverse.

Which holds its value better, the Durango or the Traverse?

The Durango: a 5-year-old example lists for 49.6% of the new price, versus 41.8% for the Traverse, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.

Which is cheaper, the Durango or the Traverse?

The Traverse starts lower: $40,800 vs $43,675 starting MSRP (before destination).

Which has better gas mileage, the Durango or the Traverse?

The Traverse: up to 22 mpg combined vs 20 mpg for the Durango (best EPA rating across each lineup).

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Dodge Durango vs Chevrolet Traverse: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/dodge-durango-vs-chevrolet-traverse, updated November 8, 2026.