Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs. Dodge Durango: Which SUV Is Better for Opelika Families?

If you’re in the market for a three-row SUV for your family, we have good news: between the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee L , Stivers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has two excellent choices to pick from. 

But that begs the question – how, exactly, can you choose, especially since both are similar in size and provide real-world comfort and capability? We’ve seen plenty of customers weigh this decision and, based on their input and our knowledge of these products, we have some suggestions on which might be the best option for your next vehicle purchase. 

What’s the Real Difference Between These Two SUVs?

The biggest difference between these two comes down to how they seat a family. Unlike the Grand Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee L is a true three-row SUV with seating for up to seven passengers, just like the Dodge Durango. However, the Durango has a bit of an edge if you have a larger family or teenagers in your household.

The Durango’s third row offers 33.5 inches of legroom against the Grand Cherokee L’s 30.3 inches, per published specs. That 3.2-inch gap is noticeable. We’ve watched customers climb into the Durango’s third row and visibly relax compared to what they braced for. It’s a real adult seat, not just an “in a pinch” jump seat. The Grand Cherokee L’s third row is fair space for kids and workable for smaller adults on shorter trips, though it isn’t where you want to put your brother-in-law for a two-hour drive.

Conversely, the Grand Cherokee L counters with 46.9 cubic feet of cargo when you fold the third row flat, versus 43.3 in the Durango in that same configuration. If you rotate between hauling the whole crew and hauling all the gear, the Grand Cherokee L may edge ahead on flexibility, at least when gear outnumbers passengers. Call it the gear-hauler’s pick.

Sources: Jeep.com, dodge.com, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA.

Does the Third-Row Seat Actually Matter for Your Family?

Whether the third row earns its keep depends on your family. For two kids and a dog it may not seem important, but if you plan on long slogs on I-65 down to Montgomery with teens or adults in tow, it changes the decision outright. The third-row seats in both vehicles handle children just fine and, when folded flat, help provide ample cargo space, but the Durango’s advantage shows up when those back seats are forced to carry grown-ups.

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Fuel Economy, Engines, and Towing Performance

Engines and towing are where these two models differ the most. The Durango offers engine options that trade fuel economy for additional grunt and towing capacbility, while the Grand Cherokee instead prioritizes a more efficient, refined character while providing efficient perofmrance.

Take, for instance, the 2026 Durango GT all-wheel drive with the optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. The EPA rates this powertrain combination at 16 MPG combined – that’s the cost of the V-8 character and the stout 7,200-pound tow rating. Step all the way up to the R/T 392 and you get 475 horsepower and an 8,700-pound tow ceiling, while retaining that 16 MPG combined rating. For reference, the base V-6 at about 16 mpg combined. For reference, a Durango with the base V-6 is EPA-rated at 18 city / 25 highway / 20 MPG combined. Real V-8 muscle, real fuel cost.

The 2026 Grand Cherokee L’s new Hurricane 2.0L Turbo is EPA-rated at 21 MPG city / 26 MPG highway in rear-wheel drive form. Jeep rates towing at 6,200 pounds when properly equipped with either engine. That covers a 20-foot bass boat, a pop-up camper, or a small utility trailer without drama, but isn’t likely to handle a large travel trailer or a boat in the 7,000-to-8,000-pound class.