2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Toyota Highlander: Why Durango Is the More Capable Three-Row SUV in Alberta
Shopping for a three-row SUV in Alberta this fall means weighing more than cupholders and screen size. Weekend trailer runs, hockey bag season, and gravel-road commutes test a vehicle differently than a spec sheet does.
The 2026 Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander both offer three rows and all-wheel drive, but they chase different priorities. This comparison looks at where the Durango's performance and towing range pull ahead, and where the Highlander tries to keep pace.
Durango vs. Highlander: Side-by-Side
| Spec | Durango | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine (GT) | 295 hp / 260 lb-ft (3.6L V-6) | 265 hp / 309 lb-ft (2.4L Turbo) |
| Top Available Horsepower | 710 hp (SRT Hellcat Jailbreak) | 265 hp (gas) / 243 hp (Hybrid) |
| Max Towing | 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) (R/T 392 / SRT Hellcat Jailbreak) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Max Cargo (rows folded) | 2,409.8 L | 2,387 L |
| Cargo Behind Third Row | 487.1 L (GT / GT HEMI) | 453 L |
| Combined Fuel Economy (gas) | 11.9 L/100km (GT) | 9.9 L/100km |
| Seating Capacity | Up to 7 | Up to 8 (XLE AWD) |
Power and Towing: Where Durango Pulls Ahead
The Highlander's turbocharged four-cylinder makes 309 lb-ft of torque, more low-end pull than the Durango GT's 3.6-litre V-6 at 260 lb-ft. But the Durango GT still outguns the Highlander on horsepower, 295 hp against 265 hp, and that's before the rest of the Dodge lineup opens up.
Move up and the gap widens fast. The GT HEMI V-8 makes 360 hp and 390 lb-ft from a 5.7-litre V-8. The R/T 392 jumps to 475 hp and 470 lb-ft from a 6.4-litre HEMI V-8. At the top, the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak's supercharged 6.2-litre V-8 sends 710 hp and 645 lb-ft to all four wheels. The Highlander has no equivalent to any of these.
Towing tells a similar story. The Durango GT already tows 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg), well past the Highlander's gas-powered ceiling of 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). Add the Tow N Go package's two-speed transfer case with a 2.72 low-range ratio, and the R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat Jailbreak reach 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg).
The Highlander Hybrid returns a combined 6.7 L/100km, better than the Durango GT's 11.9 L/100km. That efficiency comes at a cost for towing families: the Hybrid's rating drops to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg), a limit that rules out mid-size travel trailers and most boats.
Interior Space for Family Gear
Highlander's XLE AWD seats eight thanks to a three-across second-row bench, one more than the Durango's seven-passenger layout. Durango answers with more room to store the gear that comes with a family of seven.
Behind the third row, the GT and GT HEMI trims hold 487.1 L of cargo versus the Highlander's 453 L, enough of a gap for an extra hockey bag or a second cooler. Fold the second and third rows down and Durango's 2,409.8 L edges the Highlander's 2,387 L.
Durango also offers up to 50 seating configurations across the lineup, including 5-, 6-, and 7-passenger layouts on the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, where removing the third row opens 1,226.1 L behind the second row. That range lets a family shift between hauling people and hauling equipment without a second vehicle.
Cabin Tech and Safety Confidence
Every Highlander includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 as standard equipment, bundling adaptive cruise control and lane-departure alerts across the lineup. Durango's Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop are available options rather than standard fitment.
Durango counters with a Trailer Tow Detection System built into its standard Blind-Spot Monitoring, extending blind-spot coverage to a hitched trailer, a detail that matters more in a vehicle rated to tow 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) than one capped at 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).
Inside, Durango GT pairs a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with navigation, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard equipment. Highlander XLE AWD offers an 8-inch display with six speakers, dual-zone air conditioning, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Both cabins suit daily routines, but Durango's larger standard screen and towing-specific sensors point to a driver-focused character the Highlander's calmer, family-first cabin doesn't chase.
Why the Durango Fits Alberta Drivers
Alberta's mix of highway commutes, gravel back roads, and weekend trips to the lake puts real demands on a three-row SUV. A boat, a utility trailer, or a camper doesn't care which vehicle looks better in a driveway, it cares about the tow rating.
Durango GT already covers more towing than the Highlander's best gas powertrain, and the HEMI-powered trims stretch that number to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) for owners who haul heavier loads. Add cargo space that beats the Highlander behind every row, plus a 60-month/100,000 km powertrain warranty backing every trim, and Durango covers hockey season, cottage season, and everything between.
For Alberta families who want a three-row SUV with power in reserve and the towing capacity to back it up, the Durango is the stronger shortlist pick.
Take the 2026 Durango for a Closer Look
The 2026 Dodge Durango pairs a muscle-SUV powertrain lineup with three-row practicality, giving Alberta drivers a towing range from 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) up to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) alongside real cargo room for daily life.
Visit Crosstown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Edmonton to sit inside the 2026 Durango and find the trim that matches how your family tows, hauls, and drives.
