In the Market For a New 6-7 Passenger AWD/4x4 SUV: Durango or Explorer?

jesse3638

jesse3638

Hooked
Lisa and I are in the market for a new 6-7 passenger SUV as my truck just isn't working any more. The damn kids keep growing..haha. While I'd love to get a second wrangler my wife isn't to keen on the idea of still needing two vehicles to transport us all around. I figured I'd reach out to the community here looking for some real world experiences with this type of vehicle. We've narrowed it down to the 2017 Dodge Durango and 2017 Ford Explorer. We aren't opposed to buying used if its in good condition, low miles, and a good deal. We looked at the Chevy Tahoe and Traverse and both didn't appeal to us much especially considering the MPG's were a bit lower and the price tag was significantly higher (Tahoe). Any info, experiences, or opinions on these 2 choices or any others we may have over looked (we only looked at the big 3) would be much appreciated. Thanks for everyone's help!


Additionally the AWD/4x4 choice is merely for travels to visit family in Truckee during the winter and possibly mild off roading for camping trips.
 
Ddays

Ddays

Hooked
jesse3638 said:
Lisa and I are in the market for a new 6-7 passenger SUV as my truck just isn't working any more. The damn kids keep growing..haha. While I'd love to get a second wrangler my wife isn't to keen on the idea of still needing two vehicles to transport us all around. I figured I'd reach out to the community here looking for some real world experiences with this type of vehicle. We've narrowed it down to the 2017 Dodge Durango and 2017 Ford Explorer. We aren't opposed to buying used if its in good condition, low miles, and a good deal. We looked at the Chevy Tahoe and Traverse and both didn't appeal to us much especially considering the MPG's were a bit lower and the price tag was significantly higher (Tahoe). Any info, experiences, or opinions on these 2 choices or any others we may have over looked (we only looked at the big 3) would be much appreciated. Thanks for everyone's help!


Additionally the AWD/4x4 choice is merely for travels to visit family in Truckee during the winter and possibly mild off roading for camping trips.
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Durango would be my suggestion. I have a '12 AWD with the 3.6VVT and 210k miles on it. I love it. Comfortable, handles great, quiet inside. Honestly I can't think of one bad thing to say about it. In fact when this one dies I plan on another.
I took a GC for a ride a month ago with the intention of downsizing because I really don't need the 3rd row. I forgot how much nicer the Durango rides compared to it.

I rented an Explorer a few years ago and didn't really like it. And I've always been a Ford guy. We've had 3 Explorers before I went to the Durango and I was really disappointed. Now that was the previous version before the current one. I have not driven the latest version so they may have changed.
 
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AllAmericanInfidel

AllAmericanInfidel

Caught the Bug
Same experience here. I drove a brand new Ford Explorer when I moved here to Hawaii while I waited for our vehicles to get here by ship. I love Fords, but it was a terrible vehicle. The ride was harsh and bottomed when loaded with 6 people, high beltline made it a bitch to drive in busy or congested areas, not to mention it just felt cheap, even with leather interior. I personally would not but an Explorer. Have you taken a look at the New LR Discovery?


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jesse3638

jesse3638

Hooked
Ddays said:
Durango would be my suggestion. I have a '12 AWD with the 3.6VVT and 210k miles on it. I love it. Comfortable, handles great, quiet inside. Honestly I can't think of one bad thing to say about it. In fact when this one dies I plan on another.
I took a GW for a ride a month ago with the intention of downsizing because I really don't need the 3rd row. I forgot how much nicer the Durango rides compared to it.

I rented an Explorer a few years ago and didn't really like it. And I've always been a Ford guy. We've had 3 Explorers before I went to the Durango and I was really disappointed. Now that was the previous version before the current one. I have not driven the latest version so they may have changed.
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210K miles on a 12'...:crazyeyes:. It seems you put some miles on a vehicle. Yeah we've just been looking and trying to decide on which one we prefer. We plan on doing some test drives this week. While I'd love the R/T with the hemi its just not practical. I think the 3.6 paired with the 8-speed trans will work.


AllAmericanInfidel said:
Same experience here. I drove a brand new Ford Explorer when I moved here to Hawaii while I waited for our vehicles to get here by ship. I love Fords, but it was a terrible vehicle. The ride was harsh and bottomed when loaded with 6 people, high beltline made it a bitch to drive in busy or congested areas, not to mention it just felt cheap, even with leather interior. I personally would not but an Explorer. Have you taken a look at the New LR Discovery?


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As mentioned we will be doing some test driving later this week to see how they feel. I really haven't looked in the Discovery as its a bit out of my price range especially depending on how upside down we are on the Rogue we have now.
 
OhNoTheJiggies

OhNoTheJiggies

New member
I like the way they both look and have driven both. My vote would be for the Durango. Feel like it looks better, has a much better ride...
Plus, it's an exotic Italian car!


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Kalums

Kalums

New member
We have a 14' Expedition EL... We love it, only thing we've had to do other than regular maintenance is the front shocks... Rides like the land yacht it is (smooth) , not to bad Off road (it's a 4wd) it's got the V8 not the turbo 6. Tows the neighbor's 36' cabin cruiser nicely (built in brake controller) with a load leveling hitch. Leather dual air/ heat, heated and cooled front seats. I personally like Sync way better than uconnect any day of the week. You can find used ones around here for less than 30k with less that 15k miles on them, we've had ours since it had 5k miles. Just throwing it out there.

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BaddestCross

BaddestCross

Active Member
If you love anyone who you plan on having sitting in the 3rd row, stay away from the mid-sized SUVs. I owned a 2003 Lincoln Navigator for several years and would recommend that or the Expedition if you want comfort for all passengers and some room for gear when everyone's in.

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ob_tj

ob_tj

New member
I know you said you guys didn't like it but my mom bought a chevy traverse last year that is AWD and it has a whole lot of room. Me being 6'4" I've sat in the 3rd row and didn't have me knees in my chest like most 3rd rows. It also has a lot of power and get up for being a 3.6 v6
 
jesse3638

jesse3638

Hooked
Thanks for all the input everyone. I prefer real world reviews than what I can google. I haven't really looked at the expedition but probably should. Keep it coming!


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Fridge81

Fridge81

Member
We just bought a '17 Exploder and really like it so far. With that said, I have 2 small children(oldest is 5) and it's great for us. If you have more than 2 kids I don't think I would recommend the it. The 3rd row seat looks tiny and I think you may have bottoming issues if it was loaded with people and luggage. We just figured the 3rd row would be great for cousins and friends of the kids to ride along every once in a while.


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WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
I would stay far away from the Acadia/Traverse/Enclaves. I look at about 30 a week for failures. Transmission, timing components, power steering, rod bearings. Just speaking from my experience.
 
jesse3638

jesse3638

Hooked
WJCO said:
I would stay far away from the Acadia/Traverse/Enclaves. I look at about 30 a week for failures. Transmission, timing components, power steering, rod bearings. Just speaking from my experience.
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Good to know. I've never been a GM fan. We looked at the traverse and Tahoe and didn't like them.


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Ddays

Ddays

Hooked
One other big feature that sold me on the Durango at the time was the fact that it shared a platform with the Benz M class. That included the suspension. I can't say for sure that they still use MB parts but it is still the same design as it hasn't updated since 2011. The Grand Cherokee also shares this platform. The Durango is just longer and there is more seating and cargo room.

Interesting fact: I still have both of the original rotors on the FRONT. Its time for new ones or possibly resurfacing, but I have never had a vehicle do that before.

PS: Where is LongarmWJ? Hell, I feel like I'm the Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler car salesman here!! Does the 5% Wayalife discount apply to new vehicles too! :brows:
 
U

upnover

Member
My family was in the same boat. Looked at both Durango and Mazda CX-9. The CX-9 felt better than the durango. Got the AWD signature one, wife loves it. Owned 2 Acadias before that and will never buy one again.
 
jesse3638

jesse3638

Hooked
Ddays said:
One other big feature that sold me on the Durango at the time was the fact that it shared a platform with the Benz M class. That included the suspension. I can't say for sure that they still use MB parts but it is still the same design as it hasn't updated since 2011. The Grand Cherokee also shares this platform. The Durango is just longer and there is more seating and cargo room.

Interesting fact: I still have both of the original rotors on the FRONT. Its time for new ones or possibly resurfacing, but I have never had a vehicle do that before.

PS: Where is LongarmWJ? Hell, I feel like I'm the Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler car salesman here!! Does the 5% Wayalife discount apply to new vehicles too! :brows:
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That's a good bit of info. We are leaning towards it as my wife previously owned one and really liked it.

notnalc68 said:
Grand Cherokee


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I didn't know the grand came with seating for 6? If it does maybe that's an option.



So just returned from the Ford dealership and test drove a 13' Exporer Sport. Pretty much fully loaded and was very nice. The only problems I saw were 4+ years old, 72k miles and 90day 1k mile warranty for an asking price of 29k. It had the 3.5 ecoboost which did get up and move but If we go this route we'll probably go new or something newer with less miles. If we do it won't likely be the Sport as they are pretty speedy new.

We have yet to drive the Durango so we're holding off making the decision until we do. Thanks for all the info everyone! Keep it coming.



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USMC Wrangler

USMC Wrangler

New member
My experience is with a 2011 and 2013 Explorer. We traded in the '11 only because our dealer gave us a smoking deal on the '13 when they were getting ready for 2014's.

Anyway, both models we've had the one major complaint is the nav/voice activated stuff. It simply sucks. No other complaints after 47k miles. Our current one is the XLT with "4x4". In 2wd it is fwd and there aren't the typical 4h, 4l. It has a knob on the center console with different graphics on it like sand, mud, etc. it's only been used a handful of times, but seemed to work as intended.

We have four kids and there's never been a comfort complaint from my 5, 8 or 11 year olds in the back row. My 16 yo says it's a little cramped but not uncomfortably so. We've never experienced bottoming out, even with all 6 of us, 2 dogs and pulling my enclosed 5x8 cargo trailer. It's been a really good vehicle for us. I only wish it had the EcoBoost for a little more go. Just my 2¢


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Overall "build thread"
http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?26097-I-guess-it-s-the-quot-Super-Stocker-quot-build

DIY trail/tube door build http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?24449-My-DIY-Doors
 
notnalc68

notnalc68

That dude from Mississippi
jesse3638 said:
That's a good bit of info. We are leaning towards it as my wife previously owned one and really liked it.



I didn't know the grand came with seating for 6? If it does maybe that's an option.



So just returned from the Ford dealership and test drove a 13' Exporer Sport. Pretty much fully loaded and was very nice. The only problems I saw were 4+ years old, 72k miles and 90day 1k mile warranty for an asking price of 29k. It had the 3.5 ecoboost which did get up and move but If we go this route we'll probably go new or something newer with less miles. If we do it won't likely be the Sport as they are pretty speedy new.

We have yet to drive the Durango so we're holding off making the decision until we do. Thanks for all the info everyone! Keep it coming.



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Click to expand...

It's about the same size as those others you mentioned. If you truly want room, the Tahoe.


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