In today's market, a considerable amount of families are looking for affordable and adequate SUVs to meet their lifestyle needs! The new 2019 Dodge Durango and 2019 Ford Explorer are two of the "longest running" SUVs that provide a plethora of safety, entertainment, and convenience features as well as reliability that is on par with most other manufacturers!

 

    2019 Dodge Durango's offer seven different model variations (SXT, SXT Plus, GT, GT Plus, Citadel, R/T, & SRT) while the 2019 Ford Explorer provides five options (Base, XLT, Limited, Sport, & Platinum), and all models have the ability of being fully loaded depending on how many "creature features" you are looking for! Additionally, each of these new SUVs offer room for up to seven passengers while still providing a great deal of style and performance!

 

    As far as SUVs are concerned, one of the major features that customers search for is the maximum towing capability, and both of these new vehicles can certainly help out in that department. The 2019 Dodge Durango provides up to 8,700 pounds of towing capacity while the 2019 Ford Explorer hauls up to 5,000 pounds on the hitch. Also, each of these SUVs come with several engine options that are available depending on the quality of performance you are interested in! For example, new Durango's offer a 3.6-liter V6 (293 horsepower) option as well as a 6.4-liter V8 (475 horsepower) option. On the other hand, the new Explorer comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 (290 horsepower) configuration and an upgraded 3.5-liter turbocharged-V6 engine that puts out 365 horsepower!

 

    Due to the overall size of these newer SUVs, the manufacturer's suggested retail price is based upon which model and which trim level you are interested in! The MSRP for each base model is a good place to start when figuring out what would be affordable and fit your budget. 2019 Dodge Durango models start at $30,195. On the other hand, 2019 Ford Explorer base models are a little more expensive, and come with a price tag of $32,365. Although the price differs for each SUV, the infotainment systems are relatively similar in higher end models. Both interiors offer competent systems that are on par with what consumers should expect from a newer vehicle that is on sale in 2019! Both vehicles offer large touchscreen infotainment systems that are compatible with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, as well as available 4G-LTE Wi-Fi capability. The 2019 Durango offers three USB ports and three 12-volt outlets, while the 2019 Explorer is equipped with three USB ports and four 12-volt outlets! In fact, the 2019 Durango even sports a rear entertainment system that includes a 9-inch TV screen for passengers in the rear seats.

 

    Fuel efficiency is also a major consideration when searching for a new SUV. As far as the base models are concerned, the Durango gets slightly better gas mileage with 19mpg/city and 26 mpg/highway. 2019 Explorers are almost on par in this category as they average 17mpg/city and 24mpg/highway which is still a relatively close comparison. If you are looking for something a little more advanced than the base model configurations, the superior Durango SRT puts out 13mpg/city and 19mpg/highway as opposed to the Explorer Platinum which provides 16mpg/city and 22mpg/highway! As you can see, not only are these two SUVs comparable when it comes to available technology and entertainment, but also closely matched as far as fuel economy is concerned.

 

    Safety may very well be the most important factor when it comes to determining which SUV is right for you! Although neither of these new vehicles perform at the top of their class as shown by IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Crash Testing, "both of these vehicles offer just about everything a driver could want and expect" when it comes to "driver assistance safety features" according to autotrader.com! However, the 2019 Dodge Durango offers automated emergency braking in the front and rear of the vehicle which is a feature that can not be found in the new Explorers.

 

    Considering the fact that competitive brands such as Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen have all introduced redesigned models of their 2019 SUVs which Dodge and Ford have not done for this particular year, it may be beneficial to look further into exactly which SUV fits all of your specific qualifications before making a purchase. That being said, both the 2019 Durango and 2019 Explorer have benefits that the other one does not have. Ford Explorers have proven that they provide more efficiency, better resale value, and overall reliability. Dodge Durango's in my opinion are much more stylish looking and according to sources offer better performance options than Ford's 2019 Explorer, but I would highly recommend getting behind the wheel of both SUVs to help make an executive decision about which of these two vehicles should find its way from the dealership into your driveway!

Â