2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Dodge Durango, despite its age, maintained a rugged and timeless appeal. While its competitors underwent multiple redesigns, Dodge managed to keep the Durango relevant with strategic updates. The 2021 refresh brought changes to the grille, lighting, and bumpers, along with a revamped dashboard. The Durango's exterior, with its blend of chunky fenders and smooth body panels, continued to exude a tough, no-nonsense attitude, making it a popular choice for police cruisers. The America250 package, introduced in 2026, added unique touches like black leather seats with blue perforations and flag graphics, enhancing its patriotic appeal. Inside, the Durango showed its age with older switch styles and plastic materials, but its analog controls and logical layout were appreciated for their simplicity and functionality.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus TX offered a more modern and luxurious aesthetic. The TX 550h+ featured a standard panoramic glass roof and striking Matador Red Mica paint, setting it apart from the usual grays and silvers. The large grille retained a hint of the older spindle shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and a sleek rear LED lighting strip. Inside, the TX provided a spacious and comfortable environment, with multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and a third row that accommodated adults comfortably. However, the overall material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics scattered throughout. The redesigned door handles, while innovative, seemed unnecessary, and the interior could have benefited from more attention to detail.

The 2026 Dodge Durango was known for its powerful V8 engines, catering to those who valued performance over fuel efficiency. The base 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, struggled to move the hefty 5,000-pound SUV. However, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft, significantly improved towing capacity and performance, albeit at the cost of fuel efficiency. The SRT Hellcat, with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8, delivered an insane 710 hp, offering thrilling acceleration and handling. Despite its power, the Durango's steering accuracy was lacking, and the ride was stiff across all trims. The eight-speed automatic transmission and multiple AWD modes provided smooth and unobtrusive driving experiences.

The 2026 Lexus TX, particularly the 550h+ plug-in hybrid, offered a different kind of performance. Its 3.5-liter V6 hybrid system generated 404 horsepower, providing a quiet and smooth ride. The TX's drive options allowed for flexibility, with modes for electric-only driving, standard hybrid operation, and gasoline-only use. The adaptive suspension and rear steering in the 500h hybrid enhanced handling, while the 550h+ excelled in comfort and ride quality. The AWD system offered versatility, distributing power between the front and rear wheels as needed. The TX's brakes were firm and linear, and the suspension absorbed bumps effortlessly, making it an ideal choice for long road trips.

The 2026 Dodge Durango offered seating configurations for five, six, or seven passengers, with captain's chairs available on certain trims. The third row was tight, reflecting its shared chassis with older models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While headroom and legroom in the first and second rows were adequate, the second-row bench seating was firm. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 85.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. This made the Durango comparable to models like the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer.

The 2026 Lexus TX excelled in interior space, particularly in the third row, which offered ample headroom and a recline function. The second row featured captain's chairs with a removable center console, and a one-touch button facilitated access to the third row. However, folding the second row flat was cumbersome due to a series of levers. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX boasted excellent cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with all seats folded. The TX's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, accommodating various needs.

The 2026 Dodge Durango came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering features like navigation, HD Radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. However, Android Auto required a wired connection. The infotainment system included performance functions like launch control in the Hellcat model. Despite these features, the Durango lacked semi-automated driving functions and other modern conveniences like rear-seat entertainment.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch touchscreen with quick response times, but some functions lacked polish. The steering wheel controls were confusing, and the infotainment system occasionally switched from satellite radio to Apple CarPlay without reason. Wireless smartphone connectivity was standard, but in-dash navigation required a subscription. The TX offered advanced parking features and a rear-camera mirror, enhancing convenience. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed powered.

The 2026 Dodge Durango received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but IIHS ratings were unavailable. While it included features like a driver's knee airbag and blind-spot monitors, its dated body structure limited its crash performance. Advanced driver-assist features were sparse, with forward automatic emergency braking only standard on the GT Premium.

The 2026 Lexus TX came standard with Safety System+ 3.0, offering features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was slow to resume speed in traffic. The TX 350 and 500h earned five-star NHTSA ratings, while the IIHS gave it mixed scores. The Proactive Driving Assist feature was often turned off due to its sensitivity.