Durango vs Palisade
Put the Durango next to the Palisade and you have Dodge and Hyundai going after exactly the same three-row suv crowd. The scorecard favors the Durango, which leads in 2 of 3 areas. Its strongest showing is in the engine & performance category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Durango wins
- Space & Practicality Palisade wins
- Off-road & Towing Durango wins
- Engine & Performance10.0
- Off-road & Towing10.0
- Engine & Performance4.9
- Off-road & Towing5.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Durango has 73 hp more power
Among all the differences on this page, 360 hp against 287 hp is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Durango. The Durango’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Durango has 3,700 lb more towing capacity
The Palisade gives up a lot on max towing: 5,000 lb, compared with 8,700 lb on the Durango. A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
-
The Durango has 130 lb-ft more torque
Few buyers will miss this one. The Durango brings 390 lb-ft to the table; the Palisade brings 260 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
-
The Palisade has room for 8 seats
It’s a small lead (8 seats versus 7 seats), but it’s real, and it goes to the Palisade. The Palisade has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Design & Size
Size is a tie. Anywhere the Durango fits, the Palisade should fit too, and vice versa.
Dimensions
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8 in | 199.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 71.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 119.8 in | 116.9 in |
Engine & Performance
Durango leads
Here the Durango opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Durango wins here with 73 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the Durango.
Total system output
Durango: 360 hp Palisade: 287 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Durango: 390 lb-ft Palisade: 260 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Space & Practicality
Palisade leads
The Palisade takes space & practicality by a nose. The Palisade brings room for 8 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car. If space & practicality is your priority, the Palisade is the car to pick.
Seats
Durango: 7 seats Palisade: 8 seats Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
Off-road & Towing
Durango leads
For off-road & towing, the verdict is easy: the Durango leads, and not by a little. On its side, the Durango has 3,700 lb more towing capacity. If you tow regularly, the Durango’s higher rating gives you more margin. Weighing only off-road & towing, the Durango comes out ahead.
Max towing
Durango: 8,700 lb Palisade: 5,000 lb Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at.
Safety & Tech
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the Durango and the Palisade row by row in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 5.7L V8 (HEMI) | 3.5L V6 |
| Total system output | 360 hp (winner) Most powerful in class | 287 hp |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft (winner) Most torque in class | 260 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 21 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 19 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 25 mpg Thirstiest on the highway |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 17.2 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 85.1 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 8,700 lb (winner) Best towing in class | 5,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Hyundai SmartSense |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8 in | 199.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 71.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 119.8 in | 116.9 in |
Price
| Spec | Durango | Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $42,495 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Durango if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (360 hp vs 287 hp)
- you tow a camper, boat or trailer (8,700 lb vs 5,000 lb)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (390 lb-ft vs 260 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the Palisade if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you’re loyal to Hyundai and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Durango or the Palisade?
We’d point most buyers to the Durango. The main exception is if you need room for 8 seats, which only the Palisade offers.
Which is larger, the Durango or the Palisade?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the Durango and the Palisade differ only marginally.
Executive Summary
If it were just about the brand, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s talk about the Durango and the Palisade on their merits. The Durango earns my vote first and foremost with 73 hp more power. On top of that, the Durango adds 3,700 lb more towing capacity. The Palisade’s strongest argument is room for 8 seats.
Choose by what you’d use most: engine & performance leads to the Durango, space & practicality leads to the Palisade.
My pick: the Durango. The Palisade only comes out ahead if you’d rather have room for 8 seats on the Palisade.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.