A Shopper’s Guide to the Pathfinder vs Durango
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder and 2024 Dodge Durango have a different attitude toward their job as a family hauler.
If you are the family driver, you will be especially interested in this shopping guide.
3 Row SUV Shopping Considerations: Durango vs Pathfinder
Which 3 row SUV is the right one? That question is best answered by each individual buyer. So we invite you to look at the comparisons that mean the most to you: spaciousness, daily driving, performance driving, and style.
Spaciousness Comparison
Shoppers should know that 2024 Nissan Pathfinders seat up to 8 people while Durangos seat 7 in a standard 3-row arrangement. With two captain’s chairs, the Durango has a 2-2-2 layout.
The two SUVs have more than 140 cubic feet of passenger space with the Nissan claiming more cubes than the Dodge. However, on the second row, the Durango has 38.8 inches for adults or tall teens. That’s 3.2 inches more than in the Nissan Pathfinder.
On the third row, where space matters even more, the difference is even more striking. The Durango has 33.5 inches on the third row. That’s an extra 5.5 inches of space in the Dodge 3 row SUV.
For growing families, those inches really count.
Winner: Unless you need that 8th seat, you’ll have more room in the Durango.
Variety Comparison
Before we get into speed or adventure, we’ll address variety and trim levels
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder comes in five trim levels. The leather edition is the Platinum trim level.
Other trims wear cloth upholstery except for the Rock Creek Edition which has leatherette seats. The main question beyond trim is whether to get four-wheel drive.
With the 2024 Dodge Durango, choices are everywhere. There’s so much variety that shoppers can really personalize their choice. On the exterior, you can even get racing stripes. The interior is always a little glamorous with its standard illuminated cupholders. The emphasis on racing continues with three different shades of red accents, depending on the trim.
Durangos have 10 trim levels plus 3 trim levels each for the SRT 392 and Hellcat engines. The Durango Citadel trim level is quite elegant with Nappa leather, a Faux Suede headliner, and other luxury touches. There are even racing stripes on the front seat upholstery.
Winner: Style must match your personality. While Highlanders may be fine, Durangos give shoppers many more ways to express themselves. You can learn more about trim levels and amenities in this new Dodge Durango Review.
Daily Driving Comparison
The Dodge Durango has serious power, regardless of your engine choice. For starters, it produces more horsepower and more torque than the Pathfinder. If you climb the ladder to the next engine, the difference is huge. For family drivers, these differences can mean the difference between confidence and concern in busy traffic situations.
The Durango V6 powertrain is sufficient for any driver. However, driving enthusiasts will really enjoy the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. This Dodge powerhouse cranks out 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. It’s also built to improve fuel efficiency by cutting back to four cylinders when it doesn’t need the extra push.
Adding fun to confidence, the Durango has a 50:50 weight distribution. This rare accomplishment is usually found in sports cars. It certainly ensures that the Dodge SUV handles superbly at any speed. Adding to that, rear wheel drive is another trick from the sports car toolkit. The Pathfinder has front-wheel drive and the more boring handling that comes with it. As Car and Driver warns, handling is utterly forgettable in the Pathfinder.
Winner: If you want the most confident experience as a family driver, the Durango is more likely to please you than the Highlander.
Performance Driving Comparison
There are very few SUVs with the performance prowess of the 2024 Dodge Durango. There are luxury SUVs that can’t compete so it’s no wonder that the 2024 Highlander falls short in this category.
With 475 horses under the hood, the Dodge Durango SRT 392 is a force to be reckoned with. It even has a special SRT hood with a central air inlet. Two heat extractors work to keep the engine cool under stress.
For the most diehard driving fans, there’s nothing like the Durango SRT Hellcat. It takes driving an SUV to a whole new level. There are 710 horses under the hood. Plus the driver has 645 lb-ft of torque at their command.
Winner: This is a bit unfair since the Highlander doesn’t try to compete, but it’s clear the Dodge Durango is uniquely situated to give driving enthusiasts the thrill rides they really want.
Adventure Driving Comparison
If you are looking for adventure, the first thing to know is that the RWD Durango has an extra inch of ground clearance compared to the Highlander. In fact, unless you choose the Pathfinder Rock Creek 4×4 edition, the ground clearance doesn’t change. The Rock Creek Pathfinder claims 7.7 inches of clearance. So it still doesn’t meet the standard set by the Durango.
As for taking your toys along, the Durango can tow 6,200 or even 8,700 pounds. It offers rear road-leveling shocks to make it easier on the SUV. There’s new Trailer Detect technology to help the driver handle the trailer blind spot.
The Highlander generally tows 3,500 pounds. However, it can be equipped to tow up to 6,000 pounds. Either way, it is falling short of the Durango’s trailering potential.
Winner: The Durango excels in this category where it claims best-in-class towing capability.
Conclusion
No matter how you slice it, the 2024 Dodge Durango just comes out ahead of the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. You can discover the truth for yourself.
Schedule a test drive at your Phoenix Dodge dealer, Earnhardt CDJR.