Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Dodge Durango

The 2026 Dodge Durango, despite its age, maintained a timeless style with its blend of chunky fenders and smooth body panels. The 2021 refresh updated the grille, lighting, and bumpers, while the interior dashboard received an overhaul. The Durango's signature wraparound LED taillight remained a standout feature, giving it a distinctive look. The America250 package, introduced at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, added unique touches like black leather seats with blue perforations and flag graphics. However, the interior showed its age with outdated switches and cheaper plastic materials. Despite this, the Durango's analog controls and logical layout provided a refreshing experience, and its driving performance was praised.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that included a new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer featured a modern design with strong horizontal lines and a 12-inch infotainment screen. The seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's premium materials, such as Nappa and Palermo leather, added to the luxurious feel. The Grand Wagoneer's fit and finish were rated highly, with solid construction evident throughout the vehicle.

The 2026 Dodge Durango was primarily offered with V8 engines, with the 3.6-liter V6 making a return due to customer demand for a more affordable option. The V6 produced 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but struggled to move the 5,000-pound vehicle. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, available on GT and GT Plus models, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 8,700 pounds. The SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, offered 710 hp, while the 6.4-liter V8 on the Durango R/T produced 475 hp. The Durango's eight-speed automatic transmission and multiple AWD modes provided smooth performance, though steering accuracy was lacking.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured the 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for the 6,000-pound vehicle. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, producing an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile for its size, with large windows and squared-off corners aiding visibility. The ride was quiet and comfortable, with the seats providing ample support for long journeys.

The 2026 Dodge Durango offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with a standard second-row bench seat on most trims. The third row was tight, reflecting the Durango's older chassis design. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85.1 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provided ample space for passengers, with a third row that could comfortably seat three people. Cargo space was 27.9 cubic feet behind the third row, with a long-wheelbase version available for increased capacity. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds and featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and Quadra-Lift air suspension for off-roading.

The 2026 Dodge Durango came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering navigation, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The base GT had a six-speaker stereo, while higher trims featured a nine-speaker Alpine or 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Durango lacked advanced features like semi-automated driving and rear-seat entertainment.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen, a wireless phone charger, and a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system on higher trims. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, and the wireless charger had issues with overheating. Adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026.

The 2026 Dodge Durango received a four-star NHTSA rating, but lacked recent IIHS ratings. It featured a driver's knee airbag and central side airbag, but its dated structure affected crash performance. Blind-spot monitors and parking sensors were standard, while advanced driver-assist features were limited.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a surround-view camera system. It received mixed ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with some lower scores in crash tests. The surround-view cameras were highly recommended for navigating tight spaces.