Pretty much depends on whether you need the third seat or not? Otherwise, not a lot of difference between them.

 

GC looks much less like a family car than the Durango, IMO... i.e., I think the GC is much better looking! But if you need the 3d row or prefer the longer "stationwagon" looking vehicle, then go with the Durango.

 

I have a 2011 GC and a girl I work with has a 2012 Durango. The only real difference I see are the back doors on the Durango are much wider. Maybe easier to get teens in and out of.

 

I initially went to the dealer to look at buying a Durango. I really liked the front end of the R/T. Took it out for a test drive and while it was a comfortable ride, I ended it feeling very uninspired. Started walking around it and just couldn't get over the back of the thing. From the B-Pillar back it looks like a hurst. Drove the Jeep Overland Summit sitting next to it in the lot and just fell in love...the drive, the looks, everything. I can't figure out why Dodge would make the front of that thing look so good and the back so bad. Almost as if they had two people designing it from each end.

 

My wife and I are trying to make the decision between the GC and the D, and it comes down to this: we like the extra space of the D and could probably use the third row at some point in the future, my wife thinks it's pretty ugly compared to the GC. Not sure where we're going to come out, but a three row Grand Wagoneer would make things a lot easier...

 

The Durango has a bit of a smoother ride due to the longer wheelbase. The JGC has a nicer interior. The big difference for me was the Jeep had a 4x4 system and the Durango has an AWD system. Big difference.

 

So, what is the difference between the 4X4 and AWD systems? We bought the Grand Cherokee because we like the size and style. Friends have asked the difference between the Durango and GC systems and I did not have an answer.

 

I too, went ready to write a check for the Durango. Test drove them both, and fell for the JGC. If possible, park the Durango nose-to-nose with the Jeep. When I did that, I saw the Durango is less pleasing to look at from the side. The front end-gorgeous. Everything else-meh. It just looked like a minivan to me.
So, long story short: i own an Overland.

Good luck to ya!!

 

The Durango, by design I think, is more focused on hauling people and stuff around. The JGC more on offroad manners and, of course, less size/weight (though not by a huge amount). Which makes sense for you depends on what you want to do.

Based on my visit to JNAP last august and the folk I met while there, both are well designed and made vehicles.

 

I also considered the Durango, but its just to big for me. The Jeep is the perfect size IMO. I do like the look of the front end of the Durango like many have said. The interior in the Durango is not as pleasing either.

 

I love the look of the new GC, but the new Durangos look too much like a minivan with regular doors to me. If I had the cash to afford either it would be the GC hands down.

 

Rindge NH, practically next door!

Also see http://durangoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14730

 

Thanks for the link. Family is from Turners Falls.

 

I want this to stay here... Kinda like what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.......so this stays in this thread....


I work for a dodge dealer, I get some pretty nice employee incentives..... I could have bought a Durango..... But I wanted the 7 slot.......

If you blind folded me and stuck me behind the wheel, sure the amenities I could easily tell, they drive pretty much the same.... It's just a combination of the jeep name and the looks of the GC my wife and I liked better... That said.... If it was nt a GC I'd have a Durango R/T....

 

The durango would be a better large family hauler, and I think it would be better for towing as the wheelbase is a bit longer.

Other than that, I would get the Jeep. IMO they look better, I like the slightly smaller/sportier styling.

 

I test drove both and the main thing I noticed was that the Durango had a smoother ride. I believe this was due to the longer wheelbase of the Durango. The third seat was optional, so that wasn't an issue for me. The main reason for me for picking the JGC was the 4X4 system, nicer interior and sportier body design.:wave:

 

The Jeep def cleans up better and looks dressier, and IMO it can "hold its own" in a lot of fancy cars, while the Durango is more of a soccer mom-mobile.

 

The Jeep def cleans up better and looks dressier, and IMO it can "hold its own" in a lot of fancy cars, while the Durango is more of a soccer mom-mobile.

Totally agree. The jeep compares great to vehicles twice the price. The Durango has come a long way but Jeep faired much better.

 

For some reason, here in SoCal, theres a Durango commercial that shows an actor driving around the Durango going to auditions. Doesn't seem like this would be the target market for this vehicle.

I do agree with the earlier posts, the Durango looks great from the front profile, but the rear not so much. I bought the JGC for the design and features and would have considered the Durango if I had a 3rd row requirement.

 

For some reason, here in SoCal, theres a Durango commercial that shows an actor driving around the Durango going to auditions. Doesn't seem like this would be the target market for this vehicle.

I do agree with the earlier posts, the Durango looks great from the front profile, but the rear not so much. I bought the JGC for the design and features and would have considered the Durango if I had a 3rd row requirement.

The refresh did lots for the rear end.

The Durango 2011 to 2013 looked like the Oscar Meyer wiener mobile.
The 2014 looks good all around..

 

I own a 13 rango rt and was wondering the difference myself.. "Difference to full time 4wd is that a 4-lo setting is not available in AWD cars."- Per the second link.. but the durango has a low. So really what this is saying is the durango is actually a 4wd? Btw the rt suspension is stiffer than the other durango models but the interior(rt package leather/suede) is very attractive to me.. we wanted the third row and the extra room is why we went with the rango.
QUOTE=peckmv;12927916]This explains it pretty well.

http://www.allpar.com/eek/k/SUVs.html

http://rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/difference_4WD_awd.html[/QUOTE]

 

I agree with most people here. I was looking at Durangos originally, but the back end looked like a mini van to me. I went with the Jeep. I don't need a third row of seats either! Good luck

 

There are high-end options available (or standard) on the Grand Cherokee that aren't available at all on the Durango. IMHO the racetrack tail lights on the Durango are pretty cool. But in the end, the Jeep is just a better package.

 

I believe the Hemi Durango's have an "AWD-Lock" control nob, which turns the vehicle into a part time 4x4 mode, from the AWD it normally is. I think it runs an MP3022 T-Case,



"The Durango has two all wheel drive (AWD) systems. The V6 has an MP3010 single speed transfer case for full-time all wheel drive, with a 50/50 torque split. The Hemi-powered AWD Durango has a low-range MP3022 transfer case with a neutral position, for light off-road use, or to aid in moving a boat or trailer; the neutral position eases Durango-towing. The transfer case has a 2.72:1 low-range ratio, and a variable torque split. 20-inch wheels are optional. "

Above taken from Allpar

 

A friend of mine looking to buy a new SUV and not thrilled with any of the Ford or GM offerings asked me for a suggestion on what to buy. I told him to test drive the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, and knowing that he has 2 kids told him if he needed 3 seats, the new Dodge Durango. He responded that he had test driven a new Durango and that it had "terrible blind spots", so they had crossed it off their list.

Does it really?

 

A friend of mine looking to buy a new SUV and not thrilled with any of the Ford or GM offerings asked me for a suggestion on what to buy. I told him to test drive the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, and knowing that he has 2 kids told him if he needed 3 seats, the new Dodge Durango. He responded that he had test driven a new Durango and that it had "terrible blind spots", so they had crossed it off their list.

Does it really?

The WK2 and Durango can be tuff to see out of, a common complaint. But with a little seat adjustment one can improve visibility dramatically. The optional rear camera and side firing RADARs help significantly.

Any modern SUV will have blind spots due to roof supports and crash safety.

 

it's a big SUV so it most likely does. In the WK2 the A-pillar is so damn wide sometimes it's really hard to see when taking a turn at an intersection.

 

I traded my 2006 GC for the 2011 Durango for the 3rd row seat and some new bells and whistles, and my front differential was shot.
I traded the 2011 Durango for a 2014 GC last October for a few reasons:

1. We rarely used the 3rd row seat, and a 10" shorter vehicle fit in my garage better (I didn't have to remove my bike rack)
But, I do miss the extra space at times.
2. When driving through 8" of snow, the lower front-end of the Durango plowed the road, even though it drove just fine.
3. The Durango rode MUCH heavier than the GC. Lots of body/head roll.
4. After the first salesman on the 2011 Durango said "this is the new soccer mom car", I couldn't get over the thought that I was driving a station wagon.
5. I missed the better off-road capabilities of the GC.

Pros and Cons to both. Just depends on what you want.

 

I don't like the durango.

GC is epic.