{"id":1319,"date":"2020-01-24T13:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T18:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/?p=1319"},"modified":"2020-01-24T15:41:51","modified_gmt":"2020-01-24T20:41:51","slug":"comparison-dodge-durango-vs-chevrolet-traverse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/2020\/01\/comparison-dodge-durango-vs-chevrolet-traverse\/","title":{"rendered":"Durango vs. Traverse: Powerhouse SUV or Spacious Crossover?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the news that the Durango would be refreshed soon, we wondered whether the current model still has what it takes to remain competitive in its segment, which includes newer models such as the Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Chevrolet Traverse. In this article, we take a look at how the Durango measures up to the Chevrolet Traverse.<\/p>\n

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Although they may seem like similar vehicles, there are many differences between the Traverse, and Durango. The Traverse is a crossover, based on a more space-efficient FWD platform, with AWD available, and has a single engine option: GM’s corporate 3.6L V6. Meanwhile, the Durango is a true SUV based on a RWD layout with available AWD, and three engine choices: a 3.6L V6, a 5.7L V8, and a 6.4L V8. With available V8 power and a RWD layout, the Durango clearly prioritizes performance while the Traverse places a greater emphasis on cargo capacity and passenger comfort. Let’s take a look at how the exterior dimensions compare.<\/p>\n

Durango vs Traverse Exterior Dimensions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Dodge Durango<\/th>Chevrolet Traverse<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Length<\/td>201.2\"<\/td>204.3\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Width<\/td>75.8\"<\/td>78.6\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height<\/td>70.9\"<\/td>70.7\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wheelbase<\/td>119.8\"<\/td>120.9\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

As you can see on the table above, the Traverse is larger in every dimension aside from height, where it’s two-tenths of an inch shorter than the Durango. Despite being 3.1 inches longer overall than the Durango, the Traverse’s wheelbase is only 1.1 inches longer, so GM clearly took advantage of this length to add space to the third-row and cargo compartment.<\/p>\n

Now, let’s take a look at how the interior dimensions compare between these two models, a very important comparison for buyers in this segment.<\/p>\n

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Durango vs Traverse Interior Dimensions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Dodge Durango<\/th>Chevrolet Traverse<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Front legroom<\/td>40.3\"<\/td>41\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Front headroom<\/td>39.9\"<\/td>41.3\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Second row legroom<\/td>38.6\"<\/td>38.4\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Second row headroom<\/td>39.8\"<\/td>40\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Third row legroom<\/td>31.5\"<\/td>33.5\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Third row headroom<\/td>37.8\"<\/td>38.2\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cargo capacity behind third row<\/td>17.2 cubic ft.<\/td>23 cubic ft.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max cargo capacity<\/td>84.5 cubic ft.<\/td>98.2 cubic ft.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Looking at the interior dimensions, the Traverse’s extra length and space-efficient FWD underpinnings clearly paid off. In all dimensions listed on the above table, the Traverse has an advantage over the Durango. The advantage is most apparent when comparing maximum cargo room where the Traverse holds a 13.7 cubic-foot advantage to the Durango. Again, Chevrolet’s priority is on interior space while Dodge is willing to compromise a bit of interior space for tidier dimensions and a sizable performance advantage, which we take a look at below.<\/p>\n

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Durango vs Traverse Powertrain Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Dodge Durango<\/th>Chevrolet Traverse<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Base engine<\/td>3.6L V6<\/td>3.6L V6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power (horsepower\/torque)<\/td>293 hp\/260 lb-ft<\/td>310 hp\/266 lb-ft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EPA rating (city\/highway)<\/td>19\/26 MPG<\/td>18\/27 MPG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max towing capacity<\/td>6200 lbs<\/td>5000 lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Optional engine<\/td>5.7L V8<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horsepower\/torque<\/td>360 hp\/390 lb-ft<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EPA rating (city\/highway)<\/td>14\/22 MPG<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max towing capacity<\/td>7400 lb<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Optional engine<\/td>6.4L V8<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horsepower\/torque<\/td>475 hp\/470 lb-ft<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EPA rating (city\/highway)<\/td>13\/19 MPG<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max towing capacity<\/td>8700 lbs<\/td>-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

While the Traverse possessed an advantage in interior dimensions, performance is where the Durango shines. Both the Traverse and Durango offer decent performance from their base engines. The Durango’s base engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and RWD or AWD are available. The Traverse’s engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD or AWD are available. While the Traverse has no optional engines, the Durango has two: the first is the 5.7L Hemi V8 which boosts horsepower to 360 and towing capacity to 6200 lbs. This engine, like Durango’s the base engine, is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with RWD or AWD available.<\/p>\n

The highest-performance Durango, the SRT, is available with an even more powerful 6.4L V8 producing 475 horsepower and allowing a tow rating of up to 8700 lbs. It should be noted that this engine is available exclusively with AWD. The SRT comes with well-bolstered seats in front\u00a0and<\/em> back so everyone can stay planted even as the driver slams around turns, but that also means the rear seats don\u2019t fold down as well, so there\u2019s less room for bulky cargo in the SRT than even in the base Durango.<\/p>\n

The Durango is also rumored to be getting a 707-horsepower Hellcat variant this year, putting even more distance between itself and competitors like the Traverse.<\/p>\n

The Traverse and Durango are evenly matched as far as fuel economy numbers go. In the table above, we took a look at only the two-wheel drive versions of each vehicle. In base form, the Traverse has a 1 MPG advantage to the Durango on the highway but also achieves 1 MPG less in the city, so it’s really a wash. With AWD added, the Durango’s efficiency drops to 18 city\/25 highway MPG. This is actually a slight advantage over the Traverse, which achieves 17 city\/25 highway with AWD. Of course, each of the Durango’s optional engines reduce fuel efficiency even further, down to 13 city\/19 highway MPG with the 6.4L V8–atrocious numbers until you consider the huge performance advantage.<\/p>\n

Overall, we are unable to pick a clear winner of this comparison as the best vehicle is largely dependent on the buyer’s needs. If someone needs as much space as possible for their kids, will use the third row often, and needs to haul a lot of cargo, the Traverse has the advantage. If someone is willing to sacrifice a bit of interior space for a more spirited driving experience, the Durango is likely the best vehicle for them. Both vehicles are due to be refreshed in the near future, so stay tuned for new information as it becomes available.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the news that the Durango would be refreshed soon, we wondered whether the current model still has what it takes to remain competitive in its segment, which includes newer models such as the Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Chevrolet Traverse. In this article, we take a look at how the Durango measures […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[22,4,2],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Durango-Traverse-Exterior.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1319"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1392,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319\/revisions\/1392"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}