2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD vs 2026 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD provides strong overall value by combining standard 7-passenger seating and 6,200 lbs towing capability at an accessible price point, whereas the 2026 Ford Explorer charges extra for a bench seat to match passenger capacity and limits towing to 5,000 lbs.

Military households and active families near Fort Riley require a vehicle that seamlessly balances daily routines with weekend recreation gear. The Dodge Durango GT AWD accomplishes this with its robust 3.6L V6 engine and standard All-wheel drive. For buyers shopping for immediate availability, Valor CDJR features a pre-owned 2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD in DB Black Clearcoat (Stock #DP00563) with 30,342 miles on the odometer, priced at $31,739. This featured model includes 20 in Fine Silver aluminum wheels, durable cloth bucket seats, and the Uconnect 5 Nav system with a 10.1 in touchscreen.

Shoppers evaluating their purchase options can easily value your trade in online to see how much equity applies toward a new vehicle purchase. For drivers seeking well-maintained vehicles, you can also browse our pre-owned SUV inventory to discover excellent savings on spacious three-row crossovers ready for trips to Junction City Lake.

Powertrain specs by trim

The 2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD offers superior interior flexibility with standard 7-passenger seating in a 2+3+2 configuration and 33.5 in of third-row legroom, outclassing the 2026 Ford Explorer's standard 6-passenger arrangement and 32.2 in third-row legroom.

Interior room is critical when loading passengers and sports equipment for weekend trips. Front occupants in the Durango GT AWD enjoy 39.9 in of headroom and 40.3 in of legroom, accompanied by a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat with 2-way electric lumbar support and heated front seats. Second-row passengers benefit from 39.8 in of headroom and 38.6 in of legroom, while third-row passengers receive 37.8 in of headroom. Folding the rear seating flat opens up an expansive about 85 cu ft max cargo volume.

By comparison, the Ford Explorer Active standard setup accommodates only six occupants via second-row captain's chairs. While the Explorer provides about 86 cu ft of maximum cargo volume with all seats folded, its about 16 cu ft cargo hold behind the third row falls short of the Durango's about 17 cu ft capacity. For owners looking to customize their vehicle's utility, our genuine Mopar parts and accessories department offers custom roof rack crossbars and cargo management solutions designed specifically for Dodge vehicles.

Capacity and dimensions by trim

The 2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD utilizes a time-tested Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine producing 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, providing smooth power delivery and a class-leading 6,200 lbs towing capacity that easily out-hauls the Ford Explorer's 5,000 lbs limit.

Transmitting power through a TorqueFlite® 8-speed automatic transmission, the Durango GT AWD delivers confident acceleration and balanced handling supported by independent front wishbone and rear multi-link coil-spring suspension. Its full-time all-wheel-drive system works in tandem with Electronic stability control and Roll stability control to maintain planted traction on loose gravel, slick pavement, and rolling terrain.

The 2026 Ford Explorer Active utilizes a 2.3L EcoBoost® turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generating 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque paired with a SelectShift® 10-speed automatic transmission. Although the Explorer offers spirited output, its turbocharged four-cylinder engine works harder under heavy trailering loads, restricting its maximum braked trailer rating to 5,000 lbs compared to the Durango's robust 6,200 lbs capability.

While the 2026 Ford Explorer Active 4WD achieves an EPA-estimated 20 city / 27 hwy / 23 combined MPG compared to the 2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD's 17 city / 24 hwy / 20 combined MPG, the Durango equips a larger 24.6 gal fuel tank that delivers an impressive 492 mi total highway driving range.

For drivers traveling near Kansas State University for work or campus events, highway driving range plays a major role in overall vehicle convenience. The Durango GT AWD leverages its 24.6 gal fuel capacity to cover up to 492 miles on a single tank of regular unleaded fuel, reducing the frequency of gas station stops during long highway drives across the region.

The Ford Explorer Active 4WD features a smaller 17.9 gal fuel tank, yielding an estimated cruising range of 412 miles despite its higher fuel economy numbers. Therefore, drivers who prioritize long-distance driving freedom without frequent refuels will find the Dodge Durango GT AWD exceptionally practical for extended Midwestern road trips.

Fuel economy and range by trim

The 2025 Dodge Durango GT AWD centers its cabin experience around an intuitive Uconnect 5 Nav infotainment system featuring a 10.1 in touchscreen, built-in Alexa virtual assistant, and wireless smartphone integration that ensures seamless operation for tech-savvy drivers.

Modern drivers expect effortless connectivity during daily commutes. The Durango GT AWD includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 6 speakers, front dual USB charging ports, and a 7 in TFT instrument cluster display that provides driver telemetry at a glance. SiriusXM Guardian telematics offers 12 months of included remote services, allowing users to start the vehicle remotely, lock or unlock doors, and run vehicle health diagnostics from their smartphone.

The 2026 Ford Explorer Active counters with a 13.2 in touchscreen display and a 12.3 in digital instrument cluster running the Ford Digital Experience with Google Assistant integration. However, Durango owners frequently praise Uconnect 5 for its physical climate buttons, straightforward menu architecture, and user-friendly interface that minimizes driver distraction on the road.