Compare the2026 Dodge DurangoVS 2026 Buick Enclave

The Dodge Durango has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Enclave doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Durango is safer than the Buick Enclave:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Durango is safer than the Buick Enclave:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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

There are almost 3 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Durango has a standard 850-amp battery. The Enclave only offers a 730-amp battery.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is rated lower.

The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 32 more horsepower (360 vs. 328) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 326) than the Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango R/T’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 147 more horsepower (475 vs. 328) and 144 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 326) than the Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Buick Enclave:

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

The Durango has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Durango has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank (24.6 vs. 21.7 gallons).

For better stopping power the Durango’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Enclave (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R20). The Durango R/T Tow N Go’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Enclave (295/45R20 vs. 275/45R22).

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 Enclave 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 Enclave; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Durango has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Enclave doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Enclave Avenir AWD (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Durango’s minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the Enclave Avenir (8.1 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Durango is 6.8 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Durango easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (6200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Enclave is only 5000 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 Enclave can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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

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

The Durango’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Dodge Durango has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Buick charges extra for Homelink® on the Enclave.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Dodge Durango retains 50.72% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 41.48% resale value of the 2025 Buick Enclave after five years, which can save the Dodge’s owner up to $7419.51403 in depreciation.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Durango first among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Enclave isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Buick Enclave by over two to one during 2024.