Compared: 2023 Dodge Durango vs. 2023 Jeep Wagoneer

The Jeep is big, pricey and full of features, but can you make do with the more affordable Durango?

Sami Haj-Assaad | 

Feb 27, 2024 | 3 min read

Dodge | Jeep

Some three-row buyers want a small affordable crossover, while others are after large, spacious truck-based SUVs to fill their family’s needs. The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer offers seating for eight along with plenty of space in the cabin, but shoppers may prefer the sportier and more affordable 2023 Dodge Durango.

Dodge

The Dodge Durango Is the Inexpensive Option

Starting at around $42,000, the rear-wheel drive (RWD) Dodge Durango SXT is a relatively inexpensive choice, though the entry-level model lacks a standard third row of seats. It's a $500 option on the SXT, but it comes on the roughly $44,000 GT and higher trims.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is an extra $2,000 on most Durango models. The about $56,000 R/T models include a V8 engine, while the top-of-the-line AWD Durango R/T Premium is around $62,000.

There are nearly a dozen Durango trim levels. If you really want something sporty, you can jump up to the SRT and Hellcat models — the sportiest models boast 710 horsepower — but getting more Durango performance starts in the mid-$70,000 range and goes up to about $107,000 for the most powerful, most luxurious model.

The entry-level Jeep Wagoneer is more expensive than the basic Durango, but it's bigger and includes a standard V8 engine and a third row. The RWD model starts at about $64,000, while 4x4 is an extra $3,000. All non-base models include a more powerful and more efficient twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. However, the top-trim 4x4 Wagoneer Series III is in a different league thanks to its asking price of about $78,000, which buys a host of high-tech features.

Jeep

The Jeep Wagoneer Is Features Heavy

Given that the Wagoneer's starting price is on par with the top-trim Durango, it's not surprising that it has more equipment and modern tech. Entry-level Wagoneers have a 10.0-inch infotainment screen, heated and ventilated seats with leather trimming, a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, and a nine-speaker Alpine-branded sound system.

Other trims include a standard wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, 20-inch wheels, and a three-pane glass sunroof. Additional extras include a head-up display, an air-suspension system, a McIntosh-branded 19 speaker-sound system, and even an in-car lockable safe.

The Durango has fewer goodies in entry-level guise. It comes with an 8.4-inch infotainment display, blind-spot monitoring, and 18-inch wheels. Other trims include a 10.1-inch infotainment system, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a four-zone climate control system. Automatic emergency braking is optional.

The Wagoneer also features more cargo and passenger space than the Durango, with 27 cubic-feet behind the third row and a maximum of 116 cu-ft behind the front seats. The Durango includes just 17 cu-ft behind the third row and up to 85 cu-ft when all the rear seats are folded. That difference extends to the passenger room, with the Jeep offering 65 cu-ft more of interior volume than the Durango.

Dodge

A Wide Range of Fuel Economy Options Are Available

The six-cylinder in the Durango is rated for 293 horsepower and delivers an estimated 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined in RWD and 18/25/21 in AWD models. The V8-equipped R/T models make 360 horsepower and deliver 14/22/17 mpg with both RWD and AWD.

The 392-hp V8 in the entry-level Wagoneer is rated for only 16/22/18 mpg while the 4x4 model returns 15/20/17 mpg. A 420-hp twin-turbo six-cylinder engine found on all other trims of the Wagoneer is more efficient, returning 17/24/20 mpg on RWD models, and 16/23/19 mpg on 4x4-equipped models.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.