I like the dash on the Ford but hate its girlie looks. I thought it was loud when I drove it. I My oldest son drives a Ford Edge and loves it, hasn't had a problem. My youngest son turns 16 soon plus my work daily get around vehicle is a crew Ram 1500 4x4 hemi. We could use a car or SUV. I'm leaning more towards the Durango. Anybody out there compared them too? Any opinions? Thanks.

 

Here are the TWO Durango v. Explorer commercials that says a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3QB8nvPhIg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzItFf-AK7Y

Also, nearly every review puts the Durango above the Explorer.

With the "girlie" looks, you certainly aren't getting that from the Durango.

Choice made IMHO.

IndyDurango

 

if you have a "twig and two berries" between your legs then you should buy a Durango.
My job just picked up two new explorers, i was out in one tonight and i have to tell you it feels alot like a minivan. or the opposite of the Durango. Between the Journey, Explorer and GM Lambda CUV's if i closed my eyes and just drove them i would have a tough time telling the difference. The Durango has a rigidity to it they can't ever come close to. it's like a tank, all the others i mentioned feel like a marsh mellow tin can.

 

We were looking at the Exploerer as well, and one thing that you'll very likely miss at first is the legroom for the 2nd & 3rd rows. I'm 6'4" and my wife is 5'11. With the driver's seat set in a comfortable position for me, my wife sat behind it and her knees were buried into the back of the seat. Right now our kids are under 10, so it wouldn't have been an immediate issue but in a couple of years it would have been.

Seems they shrunk the spacing between the rows to give you more cargo space with the 3rd row up. I was already leaning heavily toward getting the D3, but this just sealed the deal for us. I'd rather have the legroom, as I can strap the cargo to the roof if need be.

Many not be an issue for you, but always good to know.

 

Most excellent reply. My state license plate says "US Paratrooper.". It would look better on a Durango. I'm going to pull the trigger this week.

 

Thank you. I'm going to assume you're saying you had problems with the spacing in the Explorer, not the Durango.

 

Did you guys buy the six or eight cylinder hemi. I've driven both and liked both of them. I don't tow anything. I want quiet when I drive. Thanks again.

 

I was going back and forth on both of these vehicles as well, but went with the Durango. When I finally got in the Ex I found it smaller than I expected, and the rear cargo area height felt too short (we have 2 labs, one of them is 100lbs and tall). That kinda nixed it there for us. We wanted a vehicle big enough for 2 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs (plus luggage). We got the Durango 2 weeks ago, and did a road trip already and it worked out great. Wish it got slightly better MPG, but I knew what I was getting with an AWD Hemi.

Hope that helps!

 

I was in the same Boat as you. I was pretty much set on the explorer The explorer is the tech savvy vehicle. It has the my ford, better navigation system, dual LCD screens power third row seats, Park assist, airbags in the rear seatbelts, heads up display for collision warning, wifi, and real wheels, not that chrome clad. I was bored one day and decided to check out the Durango. First of all it has more room in the second and third row. The front end looks more muscular like the charger and of course the hemi. Needless to say. I bought the Durango. The only thing I wished it had was the eight speed transmission, navigation system from the charger, real chrome wheels, and led lights. Why does a 20000 journey has led tail lights but my 50000 Durango does not.

 

We actually just picked up a Durango last night. We were in the exact same boat as you. I wanted to like the Explorer, I really did, but while it had all of the tech it lacked the polish with both the tech and the vehicle. I worked with the My Touch while test driving it and found myself hitting the wrong buttons for the functions that I wanted and having to hunt for what I wanted. It is a great idea, but just poorly executed. Beyond that, I know how my wife is with technology and if it isn't straight forward I be hearing her complain about it for the next 5 years.

Beyond all of that, the Durango just looks better and is a better value for the money. We walked out with a loaded Citadel for way less than a lightly loaded Explorer Limited. I've never owned a Dodge before, but so far I'm impressed! My only beef is that I have issues playing music via USB on my iPhone while it is paired via Bluetooth with the vehicle.