Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which SUV Fits Your Needs?

Choosing between the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes down to how you use your SUV every day. Both can handle a daily commute, a weekend road trip and a snowy January morning. The real differences show up in seating, engine choices and towing. In this Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee guide, the team at DuPage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Glendale Heights lays out the verified specs side by side, so you can see which SUV fits your family, your hobbies and your drive.

The Durango SRT Hellcat pairs three rows of seating with a 710 horsepower supercharged HEMI V8. Image: Dodge

Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee at a Glance

Here is how they compare on the numbers shoppers ask about first. Figures come from Dodge and Jeep, and towing ratings assume the vehicle is properly equipped.

In short, the Durango is the bigger, more powerful family hauler, and the Grand Cherokee is the trimmer two-row choice with serious 4×4 hardware.

Seating and Cargo Space for Your Family

Dodge Durango: Three Rows and Room to Grow

The Durango is available with three rows of seats and room for up to seven people. That third row is a big help for carpools and visiting family. Fold the second and third rows and you get up to 85.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which leaves plenty of room for camping gear, hockey bags or a big grocery haul.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: Two Rows, Easy to Live With

The two-row Grand Cherokee seats up to five and offers up to 70.8 cubic feet of cargo room. Need a Jeep with three rows? Jeep also builds the Grand Cherokee L, which seats up to seven and offers up to 84.6 cubic feet of cargo room. This guide focuses on the two-row model.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers three 4×4 systems and Selec-Terrain traction management. Image: Jeep

Engines, Power and Towing

This is where the two SUVs split the most. The Durango leans on HEMI V8 muscle, while the Grand Cherokee uses a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V6.

Durango HEMI V8 Options

• 5.7L HEMI V8: 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a 7,200 pound standard towing rating on GT HEMI models, or up to 8,700 pounds with the available Tow ‘n Go package
• 6.4L HEMI V8 (R/T 392): 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque
• Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 (SRT Hellcat): 710 horsepower, 645 lb-ft of torque and a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, according to Dodge

Dodge lists the 8,700 pound rating for SRT Hellcat, R/T 392 and GT HEMI V8 models equipped with Tow ‘n Go, which gives you more room for a boat or camper.

Grand Cherokee Engine Options

• 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo: 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, with a manufacturer’s estimated 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway
• 3.6L Pentastar V6: 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, standard on Laredo and Laredo X models, with a manufacturer’s estimated 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway

Both Grand Cherokee engines are rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds. Always check your trailer’s loaded weight against the rating before you hitch up.

Handling Chicago Winters: AWD vs 4×4

Snowy side streets and icy on-ramps are part of life around here, and both SUVs give you solid traction options.

Durango All-Wheel Drive

Dodge says all-wheel drive comes standard on HEMI V8 Durango trims, including GT HEMI, R/T and SRT Hellcat models. AWD helps put power to the pavement when roads get slick, so you can stay focused on the drive during a snowy commute through Carol Stream, Lombard or Glen Ellyn.

Grand Cherokee 4×4 Systems

The Grand Cherokee offers three available 4×4 systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. The available Selec-Terrain traction management system includes a dedicated Snow mode, along with Auto, Sport, Rock and Mud/Sand. Quadra-Lift air suspension comes standard on Overland, Trailhawk and Summit trims, and the Trailhawk carries the Jeep Trail Rated badge.

No matter which SUV you choose, good tires and regular maintenance matter as much as the drive system. Our winter driving tips cover what to keep in your car once the cold sets in, and our Mopar service department can check your tires, battery and brakes before the first snowfall.

Which SUV Should You Choose?

Both SUVs make sense for a lot of drivers. Use the lists below as a quick gut check, then browse our current new Dodge Durango inventory and new Jeep Grand Cherokee inventory to compare trims.

Choose the Dodge Durango if you:

• Need a third row for kids, carpools or extended family
• Tow a heavier boat or camper and want up to 8,700 pounds of capacity when properly equipped
• Want HEMI V8 power, from the 5.7L all the way up to the 710 horsepower SRT Hellcat
• Haul bulky gear and want up to 85.1 cubic feet of cargo space

Choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee if you:

• Usually carry five people or fewer
• Want a turbocharged engine with a manufacturer’s estimated 27 mpg highway
• Plan to explore trails and want available 4×4 systems like Quadra-Drive II
• Like the idea of a Trail Rated Trailhawk for weekend adventures

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dodge Durango bigger than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Inside, yes. The Durango has three rows and seats up to seven, while the two-row Grand Cherokee seats up to five. The Durango also offers up to 85.1 cubic feet of cargo space compared with up to 70.8 cubic feet in the Grand Cherokee. If you want a three-row Jeep, the Grand Cherokee L seats up to seven.

Which tows more, the Durango or the Grand Cherokee?

The Durango tows more. Dodge rates it at up to 8,700 pounds when properly equipped, including GT HEMI V8 models with the Tow ‘n Go package. The Grand Cherokee is rated at up to 6,200 pounds with either of its engines.

Does the Dodge Durango have a HEMI V8?

Yes. Dodge offers the Durango with a 5.7L HEMI V8 (360 horsepower), a 6.4L HEMI V8 in the R/T 392 (475 horsepower) and a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat (710 horsepower). The Grand Cherokee does not offer a V8.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee good in snow?

The Grand Cherokee is built with winter traction in mind. It offers three available 4×4 systems, Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, and the available Selec-Terrain system includes a dedicated Snow mode.

Can I test drive a Dodge Durango or Jeep Grand Cherokee at DuPage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram?

Yes. Visit us at 433 East North Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139, or call our sales team at 630-547-1001 to set up a time. Ask which Durango and Grand Cherokee models are on the lot that day so you can drive them back to back.

See the Durango and Grand Cherokee Side by Side

Numbers on a screen only tell part of the story. Sitting in the Durango’s third row or feeling the Grand Cherokee’s turbo engine merge onto the highway tells you the rest, so stop by and drive them back to back. Prefer to save with a pre-owned SUV? Browse our used vehicle inventory. When you are ready, our finance center can walk you through your options at your own pace. Bring your questions and your car seats, and we will help you find the SUV that fits.