2027 Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer: 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 6–1.5 across 6 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.61 vs 0.92) and better 5-year value retention (49.6% vs 43.2%). Choose the Explorer if fuel economy comes first (23 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Durango 6 pts · Explorer 1.5 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Durango | 2027 Explorer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $43,675 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.61 | 0.92 | Durango |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 49.6% | 43.2% | Durango |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 20 mpg | 23 mpg | Explorer |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 710 hp | 400 hp | Durango |
| Max towing (1) | 8,700 lb | 5,000 lb | Durango |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 7% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 34 | Durango |
| Weighted points | 6 | 1.5 | Durango |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Explorer — 23 mpg vs 20 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Durango — 0.61 vs 0.92 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Durango — 49.6% vs 43.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Durango — 8,700 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Explorer buyers paid a median 7% off MSRP across 8 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 12.6% off. Used, the median asking price is $27,974 for the Durango and $24,001 for the Explorer (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).
- Explorer: 0.92 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 25th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Durango 2, Explorer 34.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Durango 2016 (solid) · Explorer 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Durango | 2027 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $43,675 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $80,495 | — |
| Horsepower | 360–710 hp | 300–400 hp |
| Max torque | 645 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 13–20 mpg | 19–23 mpg |
| Max towing | 8,700 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Max payload | 1,590 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 7 | — / 7 |
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) Explorer lists for a median $23,237 — 43.2% of today's median new price of $53,756.
Shop both
- See 6,113 new 2027 Dodge Durangos for sale →Median listed price $49,275 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 41,369 new 2027 Ford Explorers for sale →Median listed price $50,563 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Dodge Durango
More on the Ford Explorer
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Durango better than the Explorer?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Durango — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–1.5 across 6 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.61 vs 0.92) and better 5-year value retention (49.6% vs 43.2%). Choose the Explorer if fuel economy comes first (23 mpg vs 20 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Durango or the Explorer?
On federal data, the Durango: owners filed 0.61 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.92 for the Explorer (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Durango and 34 for the Explorer.
Which holds its value better, the Durango or the Explorer?
The Durango: a 5-year-old example lists for 49.6% of the new price, versus 43.2% for the Explorer, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Durango or the Explorer?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Durango or the Explorer?
The Explorer: up to 23 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 Ford Explorer: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/dodge-durango-vs-ford-explorer, updated November 8, 2026.