Ford or Dodge is one of the oldest debates in the auto world. Starting from the days of muscle cars, the Mustang and Challenger, and now, with the new trend of SUVs, the comparison is even hotter.
Ford and Dodge has always been one of the most loved and talked about auto brands in the US auto sphere and will be so for years to come, as long as they keep offering competitive cars and SUVs. For shoppers looking to lease a midsize SUV with thrilling performance for family-hauling duties, the Ford and the Dodge are some of the top go-to auto brands for such SUVs. Between the 2022 Dodge Durango lease deal and leasing the 2022 Ford Explorer, you’ll get the best three-row family SUV with excellent towing capacity. If you’re looking to lease a new family SUV, should you go with the 2022 Durango lease deal? Or is leasing the 2022 Ford Explorer a better choice?
To help get the best lease option from these two remarkable SUVs, here’s all there’s to know about the 2022 Durango and the 2022 Explorer.
Expectation
When you think about leasing a car that blends the general SUV practicality and adds exciting muscle car-like traits, you should consider leasing the 2022 Dodge Durango. Since it made its first debut in 2011, Dodge is yet to give its only midsize SUV a full design. For 2022, the Durango gets some fresh tweaks and minor updates to keep it going against ever-increasing rivals. Dodge has dropped the stunning 710-hp Hellcat model from the 2022 Durango lineup. However, the 475-horsepower SRT model is still available.
The new Durango now packs more standard safety features and standard third-row seats. The base model is now stacked with more safety and driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and roof rails. Higher up the trim level, the GT model now bags heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and rear liftgate. The GT Plus gets more convenience features.
Higher trim levels like the R/T models and R/T Plus gets a Nappa leather with contrast stitching, advanced automated emergency braking system, sunroof, and a Harman/Kardon stereo system. Dodge has also given the interior of the Durango a subtle design, adding an available 10.1-inch touchscreen and UConnect 5 infotainment system.
While the Ford Explorer may not be as exceptional in its class as its siblings, this midsize family SUV is the most versatile Ford vehicle you can lease today. For 2022, the iconic American auto brand adds a new sporty styled ST-Line trim to the 2022 Explorer lineup. This new sporty ST-Line trim, slotting above the XLT and below the Limited trim level, comes with 20-inch wheels and wears black exterior accents and badging. While it looks like the high-performance ST trim outside, inside, the new ST-Line trim sports a more efficient turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain, a faux-suede upholstery with red stitching, a sport steering wheel, and door-jamb protector plates bearing the ST-Line logo.
Away from the new ST-Line, the sportiest Explorer, the ST trim now affords an available rear-wheel drive. The Explorer Platinum and King Ranch models now bags a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, multi-contour seats, 400-hp turbo V6, and a 14-speaker sound system. Finally, the Timberline models can now be equipped with a second-row bench seat. The 2022 Explorer is part of the sixth generation that debuted in 2020, so it looks a tad more refined than the Durango.
Powertrain And Transmission
Dodge packs a V6 and many V8 powertrain options. The base model is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that pumps 293 to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft. There’s also a 5.7-liter V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft torque. Finally, there’s a 6.4-liter V8 that generates 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the powertrain, all 2022 Durango models are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel-drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available.
Most 2022 Ford Explorer models come standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. Higher up the rim is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. Finally, the hybrid powertrain, which is still the familiar 3.3-liter V6 and electric motor, pairs to generate 318 hp and 322 lb-ft. All models are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, unlike the Durango that uses 8-automatic.
Handling And Performance
The 2022 Explorer may not deliver the sonorous power, quick acceleration, or athletic feel of the Durango, but it affords a smoother ride. These popular three-row SUVs are fun to drive and deliver an SUV-like comfortable ride quality.
Fuel Economy
Thanks to the turbocharged powertrain lineup in the 2022 Explore, leasing the 2022 Ford Explorer delivers more fuel-efficient engine options than with the 2022 Dodge Durango. Where the 2022 Durango with its base engine gets 18-19/25-26 mpg city/highway fuel economy numbers, the base engine of the Explorer returns 20-21/27-28 mpg city/highway.
Interior
While the interior of these two three-row SUVs may not appear as well built as what you can get from other three-row family SUVs, we can appreciate the ergonomic design and quality materials that Dodge and Ford have put in place in the Durango and Explorer, respectively.
The Explorer affords more cargo space than the 2022 Durango and affords standard and available safety features as well. However, the more cheap materials in the Explorer and not-so-comfortable third-row seats keep it a little below the Durango.
Cost
The 2022 Dodge Durango gets a starting MSRP of $37,070, while the 2022 Ford Explorer, at $36,345, gets a slightly lower starting MSRP.
Three-row midsize SUVs are the thing for shoppers looking to lease a family-friendly SUV. While most of these options are generally bland, few SUVs like Durango and Explorer offer an exciting alternative. To lease either of these two at unbeatable lease prices, contact VIP Auto, 1204 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305Â https://viplease.com/.
