2026 Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Which Three-Row SUV Fits Your Family?
Choosing a three-row SUV for Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, or the wider Inland Empire comes down to what you want the vehicle to do. The 2026 Dodge Durango and the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L are both built by Stellantis and both sold here at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram — but they solve the family-hauler problem in very different ways. This side-by-side breaks down price, powertrain, space, tech, and safety so you can decide which one fits your driveway.
Two Different Takes on the Three-Row SUV
The Durango leans into muscle-SUV character: a traditional rear-drive-based layout, available V8 power, and class-leading towing for a midsize three-row. The Grand Cherokee L leans toward refinement and capability — a quieter, more cushioned ride, a new turbocharged engine option for 2026, available air suspension, and Jeep’s deeper 4×4 hardware for drivers who head toward the mountains. Neither is “better” outright; they are aimed at different priorities.
Price and Trim Value
Both SUVs start right around the same place: the Durango GT (3.6L V6) and the Grand Cherokee L Laredo (3.6L V6) each open near $40,000. The real difference is where each lineup goes from there — the Durango climbs toward V8 performance, while the Grand Cherokee L climbs toward luxury and off-road capability.
2026 Dodge Durango — Starting MSRP by Trim
| Trim | Engine | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| GT | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | $40,990 |
| R/T 392 Launch Edition | 6.4L HEMI V8 (475 hp) | $51,990 |
| SRT Hellcat | Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 (710 hp) | $79,995 |
The V8-powered GT HEMI V8 Plus and GT HEMI V8 Premium trims slot between the GT and the R/T 392; contact our team to confirm their current MSRP at build-and-price.
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L — Starting MSRP by Trim
| Trim | Engine | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Laredo | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | $40,415 |
| Laredo X | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | $42,910 |
| Laredo Altitude | 2.0L Hurricane Turbo | $45,855 |
| Limited | 2.0L Hurricane Turbo | $45,815 |
| Limited Reserve | 2.0L Hurricane Turbo | $53,410 |
| Summit | 2.0L Hurricane Turbo | $62,195 |
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.
Both lineups start with the same 3.6L Pentastar V6 near $40,000, then diverge in character. You can compare live pricing and current builds on our 2026 Dodge Durango overview and Durango trim levels pages, or read the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee overview for the Jeep side.
Powertrain and Capability
Here is the clearest dividing line. Both SUVs come standard with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 — 295 horsepower in the Durango, 293 in the Grand Cherokee L, each making 260 lb-ft of torque and paired with an 8-speed automatic. What they offer above the V6 is where they split. The Durango offers something almost no midsize rival does: an available 5.7L HEMI V8 making 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft, which raises maximum towing to 7,200 pounds (and up to 8,700 pounds on V8 models with the available Tow ‘n Go package). The Grand Cherokee L’s 2026 upgrade goes the other direction — a new 2.0L Hurricane turbocharged four-cylinder producing 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft, prioritizing quicker everyday response and better efficiency over outright V8 muscle. The Grand Cherokee L tows up to 6,200 pounds.
| Specification | 2026 Dodge Durango | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Standard engine | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 |
| Standard horsepower | 295 hp | 293 hp |
| Standard torque | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Available upgrade engine | 5.7L HEMI V8 (360 hp / 390 lb-ft) | 2.0L Hurricane Turbo I4 (324 hp / 332 lb-ft) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Standard drivetrain | RWD (AWD available) | RWD (4WD available) |
| Max towing | 7,200 lb (V8) / 6,200 lb (V6) | 6,200 lb |
Towing & V8 power advantage: 2026 Dodge Durango
Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
On the road, the Durango feels planted and athletic in the muscle-SUV mold, while the Grand Cherokee L rides softer and quieter, especially in its available four-wheel-drive configurations with air suspension.
Space and Everyday Practicality
For family duty, the two are remarkably evenly matched on cargo. Both seat up to seven and both offer 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row. The Durango edges ahead on maximum volume with the seats folded, while the Grand Cherokee L holds slightly more with just the third row down.
| Specification | 2026 Dodge Durango | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Max seating | 7 | 7 |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 17.2 cu ft | 17.2 cu ft |
| Cargo (3rd row folded) | 43.3 cu ft | 46.9 cu ft |
| Max cargo (rows folded) | 85.1 cu ft | 84.6 cu ft |
Cargo & seating: Effectively even — both seat seven with matching space behind the third row
Both offer a bench-or-captain’s-chair choice in the second row, letting you prioritize a full seven seats or upgrade to more comfort for six.
Technology and Family Connectivity
Both run Jeep and Dodge’s Uconnect 5 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango comes standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen across the lineup. The Grand Cherokee L pairs a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster with Uconnect 5 and offers the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both can be equipped with premium audio and rear-seat features for keeping kids entertained on longer drives.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Both SUVs offer comprehensive driver-assistance suites, with exact standard equipment varying by trim. The Durango GT includes standard Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection and rear park assist, with adaptive cruise and forward-collision features available and standard on higher trims. The Grand Cherokee L equips forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise, and lane-keeping as standard, and adds Active Driving Assist (adaptive cruise with lane centering) from the Laredo Altitude up. The Grand Cherokee L also includes standard driver and front-passenger knee airbags.
Driver-assistance and safety systems are supplemental aids and do not replace attentive driving. Feature availability varies by trim and configuration. Always drive attentively and consult your owner’s manual for system details and limitations.
Fuel Economy
The Durango GT’s V6 is EPA-Estimated at 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG in rear-wheel drive. The Grand Cherokee L’s standard V6 is EPA-Estimated at 22 MPG combined, and its available 2.0L Hurricane turbo improves that to an EPA-Estimated 23 MPG combined — the efficiency edge in this matchup.
Fuel economy advantage: 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
Common Buyer Questions
How do the starting prices of the 2026 Durango and Grand Cherokee L compare?
They are very close. The Durango GT (V6) starts around $40,990 and the Grand Cherokee L Laredo (V6) starts around $40,415, so both open near $40,000. The bigger cost differences appear as you move up each lineup toward V8 Durango trims or higher Grand Cherokee L trims.
Which SUV is better for towing a camper or trailer?
The Durango. Its available 5.7L HEMI V8 tows up to 7,200 pounds (and up to 8,700 pounds with the Tow ‘n Go package), while both the Durango V6 and the Grand Cherokee L are rated at 6,200 pounds.
Which one is more fuel-efficient?
The Grand Cherokee L. Its available 2.0L Hurricane turbo is EPA-Estimated at 23 MPG combined, ahead of the Durango GT V6’s 20 MPG combined.
How can I see both in person?
Visit Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 16263 S Highland Ave, Fontana, CA 92336 to compare both SUVs side by side, or contact our sales team with questions about availability.
The Verdict: Which One Is Right for You?
Choose the 2026 Dodge Durango if you want V8 power, the strongest towing in the class, and a rear-drive-based SUV with genuine muscle-car character. Choose the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L if you prioritize a quieter, more refined ride, the efficiency of the new Hurricane turbo, and Jeep’s deeper off-road capability for trips toward the mountains. Both are strong three-row choices for Inland Empire families — and both are available right here at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Disclosures
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.
Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
Driver-assistance and safety systems are supplemental aids and do not replace attentive driving. Feature availability varies by trim and configuration. Always drive attentively and consult your owner’s manual for system details and limitations.