Compare the2027 Dodge Durango VS 2026 Lexus GX

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Durango uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Durango and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Durango is safer than the Lexus GX:

	Durango	GX
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	16 inches
HIC	194	332

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

The Dodge Durango’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the GX’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Durango’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 11 more horsepower (360 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Durango R/T 392’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 126 more horsepower (475 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango 5.7 V8 is faster than the Lexus GX:

	Durango	GX
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.9 MPH	91.1 MPH

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango’s fuel efficiency. The GX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX (24.6 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Durango has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Durango w/Tow N Go’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

	Durango w/Tow N Go	GX
Front Rotors	15 inches	13.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches

The Durango stops shorter than the GX:

	Durango	GX
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver

For better traction, the Durango’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (295/45R20 vs. 265/55R20).

The Durango’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX 550 Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The Durango’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the GX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX 550 Overtrail.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires optional on the Durango can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Durango offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the GX (119.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Durango R/T 392 handles at .85 G’s, while the GX 550 Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 392 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the GX 550 Luxury+ (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Dodge Durango may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the Durango’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Durango offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

	Durango	GX
Behind Third Seat	17.2 cubic feet	10.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	43.3 cubic feet	40.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.1 cubic feet	76.9 cubic feet

The Durango GT can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Durango can be unhitched and driven around locally. The GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango has a higher standard payload capacity than the GX (1400 vs. 1235 lbs.).

The Durango has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Dodge Durango has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GX.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Durango third among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Lexus GX by over two to one during 2025.