2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Honda Pilot: Why Durango Is the More Capable Three-Row SUV in Alberta
A three-row SUV shopper in Alberta usually wants two things at once: room for the family and enough muscle to tow a trailer, a boat, or a loaded utility trailer without hesitation. The 2026 Dodge Durango and 2026 Honda Pilot both promise seven-passenger flexibility, but they chase that goal from opposite directions.
The Pilot leans into smooth, mainstream family duty. The Durango leans into power, towing hardware, and a driving character built for people who want their SUV to feel like something more than an appliance.
Durango vs Pilot: Side-By-Side
| Spec | Durango GT (V-6) | Pilot Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 295 hp | 285 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Engine | 3.6 L V6 | 3.5 L V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Max towing | 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Seating capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Spec | Durango GT HEMI V8 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 360 hp | 5.7 L V8, AWD |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft | |
| Max towing | 3,266 kg (7,202 lbs (3,267 kg)) | Best-in-class among Dodge's V-6/V-8 range |
| Fuel economy combined | 14.3 L/100km |
The Pilot's towing figure for the Black Edition sits at 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg), well under the Durango GT's 2,812 kg 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) rating and further behind the GT HEMI V8's 7,202 lbs (3,267 kg). That gap is the clearest, most concrete argument in this comparison.
Power And Driving Character
The Durango's standard 3.6 L Pentastar V6 makes 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive standard. Step up to the GT HEMI V8 and output climbs to 360 hp and 390 lb-ft from a 5.7 L V8, still paired to the same 8-speed automatic and AWD.
The Pilot's sole engine is a 3.5 L V6 making 285 hp and 262 lb-ft, run through a 10-speed automatic with Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system standard across the lineup. It is a smooth, well-mannered powertrain, but the Pilot never offers a step beyond it.
The Durango does. Buyers who want more than mainstream V6 output can move into HEMI V8 territory, and Dodge builds the range all the way to a supercharged 6.2 L V8 producing 710 hp, a figure no other three-row SUV in this comparison comes close to touching. That range gives Durango shoppers a performance ceiling the Pilot simply does not offer.
Towing And Payload: Where Durango Pulls Ahead
Towing is the number that matters most for buyers who need one SUV to double as a trailer hauler, a boat mover, or a weekend hauler for gear. The Durango GT tows 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) with the standard V-6, already ahead of the Pilot's 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) Black Edition rating. Move to the GT HEMI V8 and Durango's rating rises to 7,202 lbs (3,266 kg).
Payload tells a similar story of capability. The Durango GT carries up to 658 kg of people and cargo, while the GT HEMI V8 carries 612 kg. That is enough for a loaded roof box, camping gear, and a full cabin of passengers without pushing weight limits.
For Alberta buyers who tow campers, side-by-sides, or utility trailers regularly, that towing gap is not a marginal spec. It is the difference between an SUV that manages a trailer and one that is built around the job.
Cargo, Cabin, And Daily Use
Behind the third row, the Durango holds 487.1 L; fold the rear seats and that grows to 2,409.8 L of maximum cargo room. The cabin runs a 7-passenger layout with 60-40 folding rear seats and, on GT trims, 50-50 folding third-row seats for flexible loading.
The Pilot's own numbers, measured differently, run higher on paper: 1,702 L behind the second row and up to 3,175-3,219 L with rows folded, depending on trim, with 8-passenger seating on most trims. That is a real practicality advantage for families who prioritize maximum cargo litres over outright capability.
But the Durango answers that trade-off with usable structure, not just raw space: a full-length 60-40/50-50 folding rear and third row, standard cargo tie-downs, and a power liftgate on GT trims, all built around a chassis that still tows thousands of pounds more than the Pilot can.
Ride, Footprint, And Everyday Confidence
At 5,100.3 mm long and 1,925.3 mm wide, the Durango GT rides on a 3,042.9 mm wheelbase with a 6.2 m turning radius. The Pilot TrailSport measures 5,083 mm long on a shorter 2,891 mm wheelbase, with an 11.5 m turning circle.
The Durango's longer wheelbase and standard multi-link rear suspension support the stable, planted feel buyers expect from a performance-leaning SUV, whether merging onto the highway or holding a line with a trailer attached. Standard features like Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection and rear ParkSense support daily commuting and parking-lot manoeuvring around Alberta's suburbs and city lots.
Technology And Comfort Inside
The Durango GT comes with a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a nine-speaker or six-speaker audio setup depending on trim, all standard.
The Pilot counters with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster on every trim, plus standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That is a real screen-size advantage.But the Durango still delivers heated seats and steering wheel from its GT trim onward, and pairs them with the towing and power capabilities that define what this SUV is actually for.
Why The Durango Fits Alberta Drivers
Alberta driving means highway stretches, trailers, and weather that swings hard between seasons. The Durango's standard AWD, muscular V6-to-supercharged-V8 range, and towing that starts ahead of the Pilot and climbs from there answer that brief directly.
Buyers who want a family SUV that can also handle a loaded trailer, a boat, or a heavy weekend project do not have to choose between capability and comfort. The Durango GT's standard towing already beats the Pilot's own number, and every step up the Durango lineup, GT HEMI V8, R/T 392, SRT Hellcat, adds more muscle without giving up the third row or the seven-passenger layout most families need.
For drivers who want power, towing headroom, and a bolder driving character in their three-row SUV, the Durango is the clear pick.
Book A Test Drive At Crosstown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
The 2026 Dodge Durango pairs family-friendly seating with towing and power figures that stand out in the three-row SUV segment. Its range runs from a standard V-6 to a supercharged V-8, giving Alberta drivers real choice in how much muscle they want.
Visit Crosstown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Edmonton to see the Durango's lineup in person and find the trim that matches how you tow, haul, and drive.
