Compare the2024 Dodge DurangoVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Durango has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front and rear parking sensors.

The Dodge Durango weighs 947 to 1777 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Durango’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

The Durango’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 112 more horsepower (293 vs. 181) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Durango’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 114 more horsepower (295 vs. 181) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 179 more horsepower (360 vs. 181) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Dodge Durango is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Durango V6	Durango V8	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	2.2 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	6.4 sec	9.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	14.9 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.5 MPH	92.9 MPH	83 MPH

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The Outlander doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Durango V6’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Durango has 10.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (24.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Durango R/T Tow N Go’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander:

	Durango R/T Tow N Go	Outlander
Front Rotors	15 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Outlander (265/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Durango R/T Tow N Go’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (295/45R20 vs. 255/45R20).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Durango can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Outlander doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Durango offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Durango offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Outlander’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Durango offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Outlander doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Durango has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 13.3 inches longer than on the Outlander (119.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Durango is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Durango has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Durango has 15.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (141.4 vs. 125.5).

The Durango has 3 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room, 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.3 inches more third row headroom, 14.8 inches more third row legroom and .3 inches more third row hip room than the Outlander.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Durango	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	17.2 cubic feet	11.7 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	43.3 cubic feet	33.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.1 cubic feet	79.7 cubic feet

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Durango. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (6200 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is only 2000 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango V8 4WD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Durango can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Outlander can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Durango is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Durango’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Outlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Durango and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Durango is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Durango’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Durango’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Durango’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Durango’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/Black Edition/SEL.

The Durango’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Durango (except SXT) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Durango has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Outlander.

The Durango offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 41% during 2023.