The Dodge Durango Actually Beat a Toyota SUV on a List
There are several great full-size SUVs for buyers to pick from. With different lists focused on various criteria, the results often differ a bit. Carfax just released its new list of the best full-size SUVs of 2020. On it, the Dodge Durango actually beat the Toyota Land Cruiser.
To come up with its list, Carfax took a look at fuel costs, passenger and cargo spaces, horsepower, safety scores, and towing capabilities. The SUV costs for comparison purposes looked at trims including five features many people include on their must-have list. Those features are an automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The 2020 Dodge Durango is a very powerful SUV
While the Dodge Durango is usually considered a mid-size SUV, it does offer two optional V8 engines plus rear-wheel drive. It has a smaller cabin than actual full-size SUVs, but it isn’t tight inside.
Carfax says the Durango has good maneuverability. The Durango’s SRT model has excellent horsepower, although it is more expensive and its gas costs more. Although it doesn’t have the best crash test ratings, the Durango offers a 360-hp V8 engine along with good acceleration and towing.
By the numbers, the Durango has a maximum cargo space of 85.1 cubic feet. It can tow up to 8,700 pounds with four-wheel drive, and its engine horsepower is between 295 and 475 hp. While it has a base price of $30,795, when equipped with the key features, it starts at $68,575.
The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser fell behind the Dodge Durango
The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came in last out of 10 on the Carfax list, just below the 2020 Dodge Durango. The Land Cruiser ranks at the bottom of the list partly because it’s a very expensive SUV.
It does include many standard features, but it also has poor fuel efficiency, small interior space, and isn’t compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It’s very durable and has excellent off-road abilities but might be the perfect SUV for only certain buyers.
The Land Cruiser has a maximum cargo area of 82.8 cubic feet and can tow up to 8,100 pounds with four-wheel drive. Its engine gets 381 hp. It has a base price of $85,415, but when equipped with the key features, its price starts at $86,880.
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia
A different Toyota SUV ranked above the Dodge Durango, since the 2021 Toyota Sequoia came in sixth. The best feature of the Sequoia is that all trims come standard with plenty of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.
Including these features as standard helps make the Sequoia better priced than its similarly equipped competitors. However, the Sequoia hasn’t been redesigned since 2008. Carfax says its age shows in the “interior decor, driving experience, and fuel economy.” It is still spacious and comfortable though.
The Sequoia has a large maximum cargo space of 120.1 cubic feet. It can tow up to 7,100 pounds, and its engine has 381 hp. Its base price is $50,100, but when equipped with the key features, it starts at $54,690.
Other great full-size SUVs
Several full-size SUVs were ranked above the Dodge Durango, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Toyota Sequoia. Two Ford SUVs ranked first and second on the list, with the Ford Expedition Max and Ford Expedition.
Three GM SUVs came in third, fourth, and fifth, with the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, and Chevrolet Tahoe. The Toyota Sequoia ranked sixth. The Nissan Armada came in seventh, followed by the GMC Yukon in eighth. The Dodge Durango ranked ninth, while the Toyota Land Cruiser was tenth.
It might be a surprise, but the 2020 Dodge Durango is one option that full-size SUV buyers may want to consider. Included on Carfax’s list of the best full-size SUVs of 2020, the Durango even surpassed the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser.