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

[Exodus 4x4]

Look hard for a Excursion with a 7.3 power stroke. Even if it has 200k it's probably better than half the new shit out there.


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[MattAlpha]

I'll throw another potential option into the mix. My wife has a 2011 Honda Pilot Touring edition with the V8 and 4x4 option. It rides amazing and tows like nothing is behind it. It's going cross country 8 times, three of which we were towing just over 6,000 pounds in a U-Haul trailer...it's rated to 7,500 pounds. The 4x4 system is a push button and it will lock your axles, not a full time all wheel drive system.

It's a great daily driver and kid/family carrier with a ton of room. It also gets good gas mileage for a full size SUV with 8 seats with real seat belts and normal size seats. It also has a full size spare in the trunk area, not below on a crappy cable system.

The newer body style Pilots suck...stay away from them.

Just my 2 cents.


'07 JKUR ... mod'ing never stops...

 

[longarmwj]

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:

Did somebody call? LOL.

The differences between the Durango and Explorer come down to the ride and fit and finish. The explorer also starts out a couple of grand more expensive then the Durango. The Durango also has the 3.6, which is a Wards 10 best engine several years running. The difference in MPGs is only 1, the Explorer gets 19 city 27 highway and the Durango gets 19 city 26 highway. From what I've experienced, the Durango is a much more planted feeling vehicle, and it drives more like a luxury car than a typical SUV. Then of course you have the optional 5.7 Hemi which totally changes the feel of that vehicle.

Another good option if you're needing a third row is the Chrysler Pacifica. It's crazy roomy, also uses the 3.6, has active noise cancellation standard, comes well equipped at a very reasonable price, looks great IMO, drives awesome, has the Stow N' Go, etc. If you haven't considered one, do yourself a favor and look at one. They're very nice, and unlike any minivan on the market.

 

[WJCO]

Did somebody call? LOL.

The differences between the Durango and Explorer come down to the ride and fit and finish. The explorer also starts out a couple of grand more expensive then the Durango. The Durango also has the 3.6, which is a Wards 10 best engine several years running. The difference in MPGs is only 1, the Explorer gets 19 city 27 highway and the Durango gets 19 city 26 highway. From what I've experienced, the Durango is a much more planted feeling vehicle, and it drives more like a luxury car than a typical SUV. Then of course you have the optional 5.7 Hemi which totally changes the feel of that vehicle.

Another good option if you're needing a third row is the Chrysler Pacifica. It's crazy roomy, also uses the 3.6, has active noise cancellation standard, comes well equipped at a very reasonable price, looks great IMO, drives awesome, has the Stow N' Go, etc. If you haven't considered one, do yourself a favor and look at one. They're very nice, and unlike any minivan on the market.

Thread closed.

 

[jesse3638]

Did somebody call? LOL.

The differences between the Durango and Explorer come down to the ride and fit and finish. The explorer also starts out a couple of grand more expensive then the Durango. The Durango also has the 3.6, which is a Wards 10 best engine several years running. The difference in MPGs is only 1, the Explorer gets 19 city 27 highway and the Durango gets 19 city 26 highway. From what I've experienced, the Durango is a much more planted feeling vehicle, and it drives more like a luxury car than a typical SUV. Then of course you have the optional 5.7 Hemi which totally changes the feel of that vehicle.

Another good option if you're needing a third row is the Chrysler Pacifica. It's crazy roomy, also uses the 3.6, has active noise cancellation standard, comes well equipped at a very reasonable price, looks great IMO, drives awesome, has the Stow N' Go, etc. If you haven't considered one, do yourself a favor and look at one. They're very nice, and unlike any minivan on the market.

^^^winning^^^. Thanks for the info. We rented either a Pacifica or Town and Country for our cross country trip and it was amazing. The room and comfort was really nice. Unfortunately my wife isn't a huge fan of mini vans. We're going to look more at the Durango before deciding. Thanks for the help.


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[BananaJeep]

I'm going to be "that guy", but have you looked into a Toyota Sequoia?

 

[longarmwj]

^^^winning^^^. Thanks for the info. We rented either a Pacifica or Town and Country for our cross country trip and it was amazing. The room and comfort was really nice. Unfortunately my wife isn't a huge fan of mini vans. We're going to look more at the Durango before deciding. Thanks for the help.


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Little tip for you, wherever you go, ask them first if they have any certified pre-owned (CPO) Durangos. Those are typically newer year (2014+) low mile (40,000>) vehicles that were corporate fleet, lease turn in, etc. They come with a 100,000 mile warranty on them, plus a much more in depth inspection, and they can save you a good chunk of change off of a brand spanking new one. If you are dead set on new, find yourself a GT with the Premium Group added to it. You should be paying 41-42k for it, and it'll give you everything the Citadel has (minus captain chair second row and cooled front seats) but will come in cheaper by a couple of grand then the Citadel. Now that price is for the AWD model. The 2WD is even cheaper and you should be paying 38-39k for a 2WD.

 

[jesse3638]

I'm going to be "that guy", but have you looked into a Toyota Sequoia?

No worries I wouldn't consider you being "that guy"!.. haha. Thanks for the idea. I did go look at them they are really nice but are a bit on the high end of my price range plus the MPGs are worse than my pickup.

Little tip for you, wherever you go, ask them first if they have any certified pre-owned (CPO) Durangos. Those are typically newer year (2014+) low mile (40,000>) vehicles that were corporate fleet, lease turn in, etc. They come with a 100,000 mile warranty on them, plus a much more in depth inspection, and they can save you a good chunk of change off of a brand spanking new one. If you are dead set on new, find yourself a GT with the Premium Group added to it. You should be paying 41-42k for it, and it'll give you everything the Citadel has (minus captain chair second row and cooled front seats) but will come in cheaper by a couple of grand then the Citadel. Now that price is for the AWD model. The 2WD is even cheaper and you should be paying 38-39k for a 2WD.

Thanks for the info. I'm working with the salesman who sold me my Jeep so I won't have to do much haggling there. Plus I can get the BNSF family discount so that'll help as I think it's 2% below invoice. I'm not set on new so the advice on CPO vehicles is something I wasn't totally aware of I'll check on those.



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[Sharkey]

We have a 2006 Yukon XL. Bought it brand spanking new and just crossed over the 185k mark on the odometer. Some of the leather is falling apart (although it took a lot longer than on most of the Jeeps I have seen), but mechanically it still runs like a beast. Apart from tires and oil changes, the only money we have spent at all in 11 years is less than $1k on some relatively minor electrical issues around the 150k mark. Seriously, we are on the same shocks, same tranny, same bushings, same ball joints...everything.

Honestly, it is such a great vehicle I'm not sure we will every get rid of it. If you need the room for multiple people, especially taller people, there isn't a current 4wd out there that even compares.

 

[Cboone]

Wife had a 2012 Durango and now a 2014. Both bought new. Has loved both. Can't go wrong with one if seeking 3rd row, etc. good luck on the search!


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[jesse3638]

We have a 2006 Yukon XL. Bought it brand spanking new and just crossed over the 185k mark on the odometer. Some of the leather is falling apart (although it took a lot longer than on most of the Jeeps I have seen), but mechanically it still runs like a beast. Apart from tires and oil changes, the only money we have spent at all in 11 years is less than $1k on some relatively minor electrical issues around the 150k mark. Seriously, we are on the same shocks, same tranny, same bushings, same ball joints...everything.

Honestly, it is such a great vehicle I'm not sure we will every get rid of it. If you need the room for multiple people, especially taller people, there isn't a current 4wd out there that even compares.

We did look at the new suburbans and while we really liked the room Lisa was just not even comfortable with the idea of driving it. She doesn't really like driving my pick up. Also it was a bit more than we're looking to spend. It's definitely nice and I wouldn't mind having one especially if I wanted or needed to tow.


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[el_chupo_]

I have to say that a Tahoe is hard to beat for the price/size/drive train combo. The thing just works.

The Honda Pilot would be pretty high on my list, but also something like a Certified Lexus GX, through a certified pre-owned. wife will probably like it too.

I dont know what kind of mileage you plan on seeing annually, but it seems like most of these, with city driving, will normally see 15-18mpg.

 

[jesse3638]

Got a bead on a CPO 13 rt AWD with 49k on the ODO. for 31700. 7 year 100k warranty. Gonna make an offer of 28500 out the door. What do you think?


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[holliewood61]

You put any thought into a commander? We have a wk which is basically the same platform without the 3rd row. After 2008 the 4.7 is plenty horsy, the 5.7 is even better. They are comfortable and capable with tbe quadradrive 2. Just a little food for thought

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[jesse3638]

You put any thought into a commander? We have a wk which is basically the same platform without the 3rd row. After 2008 the 4.7 is plenty horsy, the 5.7 is even better. They are comfortable and capable with tbe quadradrive 2. Just a little food for thought

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I would but I need the 3rd row.


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[JK_Dave]

I'll throw another potential option into the mix. My wife has a 2011 Honda Pilot Touring edition with the V8 and 4x4 option. It rides amazing and tows like nothing is behind it. It's going cross country 8 times, three of which we were towing just over 6,000 pounds in a U-Haul trailer...it's rated to 7,500 pounds. The 4x4 system is a push button and it will lock your axles, not a full time all wheel drive system.

It's a great daily driver and kid/family carrier with a ton of room. It also gets good gas mileage for a full size SUV with 8 seats with real seat belts and normal size seats. It also has a full size spare in the trunk area, not below on a crappy cable system.

The newer body style Pilots suck...stay away from them.

Just my 2 cents.


'07 JKUR ... mod'ing never stops...

Honda doesn't make a V8 dude.

 

[holliewood61]

I would but I need the 3rd row.


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The commander can be had with the 3rd row where the wk cant

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[jesse3638]

Well we pulled the trigger on the 13 Durango RT. Brought it home last night...[emoji846]. I don't think they would have gone much if any lower than they did (27.5 vs. the asking of 31.3). I was ready to walk based on being upside down in the Rogue but after doing some math figured I'd still come out ahead based on the terms and differences in the rates of hers and the "new" vehicle. Plus we got out of the shitty loan Lisa was in. I plan to take the amount I'm paying on my jeep once it's paid off next year and apply it to this to pay it off sooner and save on some interest. After driving he explorer and the Durango I was much more comfortable in the Durango. The mpgs aren't quite the same as the V6 but the power of the V8 is nice.

I know I know pics....haha. I'll get them posted later. We didn't get home until nearly 1am.

Thanks again for everyone's input and personal experiences. That's why this forum is great. It's a wealth of knowledge even beyond jeeps and off-roading.


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[Napalm]

Well we pulled the trigger on the 13 Durango RT. Brought it home last night...[emoji846]. I don't think they would have gone much if any lower than they did (27.5 vs. the asking of 31.3). I was ready to walk based on being upside down in the Rogue but after doing some math figured I'd still come out ahead based on the terms and differences in the rates of hers and the "new" vehicle. Plus we got out of the shitty loan Lisa was in. I plan to take the amount I'm paying on my jeep once it's paid off next year and apply it to this to pay it off sooner and save on some interest. After driving he explorer and the Durango I was much more comfortable in the Durango. The mpgs aren't quite the same as the V6 but the power of the V8 is nice.

I know I know pics....haha. I'll get them posted later. We didn't get home until nearly 1am.

Thanks again for everyone's input and personal experiences. That's why this forum is great. It's a wealth of knowledge even beyond jeeps and off-roading.


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Awesome! Glad you guys got what you were looking for!


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[Ddays]

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


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Well we pulled the trigger on the 13 Durango RT. Brought it home last night...[emoji846]. I don't think they would have gone much if any lower than they did (27.5 vs. the asking of 31.3). I was ready to walk based on being upside down in the Rogue but after doing some math figured I'd still come out ahead based on the terms and differences in the rates of hers and the "new" vehicle. Plus we got out of the shitty loan Lisa was in. I plan to take the amount I'm paying on my jeep once it's paid off next year and apply it to this to pay it off sooner and save on some interest. After driving he explorer and the Durango I was much more comfortable in the Durango. The mpgs aren't quite the same as the V6 but the power of the V8 is nice.

I know I know pics....haha. I'll get them posted later. We didn't get home until nearly 1am.

Thanks again for everyone's input and personal experiences. That's why this forum is great. It's a wealth of knowledge even beyond jeeps and off-roading.


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Awesome! You won't be disappointed! :thumb: