test drives: Lexus GX 460 vs Dodge Durango (with the V8)
Hi all
We are in no rush to upgrade our current tug, but I wanted to have a good sense of what we might get, down the road, when the time comes (or if our tug was stolen, or totaled in an accident)
We tow our 2017 21’ with our 2011 Acura MDX
with factory tow package. 5,000 towing capacity, 500 tongue weight, 273 lbs torque, 300 HP.
It does fine, but I would like more torque for merging onto freeways, and for climbing big hills. I’d also like a slightly more stable setup… and a slightly bigger and heavier tug would give us this.
Tonight I test drove both a Lexus GX 460
(6,500 lbs capacity, 329 lb-ft torque, 300 hp.)
vs Dodge Durango “R/T” (with the V8)
(7400 lbs towing capacity with bigger engine on R/T) (390 lb-ft torque, 360 hp…. wow!)
… back to back.
I’m posting this here, just in case anyone else is curious.
Lexus GX 460
pros:
super quiet
nice interior!
smooth engine and shifting
high up view. it feels quite high up. I liked this.
A survey of many many owners determined that this is a very reliable vehicle. (Consumer Reports says so)
6,500 towing capacity
cons:
the stupid antiquated barn door rear door - could not be opened with hooked up, I’m pretty sure.
the ride is somewhat jiggly over uneven pavement in the city
high up view. it feels quite high up, and I think my wife would dislike this.
even more expensive than the Durango.
Dodge Durango (with the V8)
pros:
holy cow it has smooth power! wow! transmission & V8 is a marriage made in heaven. (AZ Jack wasn’t kidding!)
Torque for days!
less jiggly drive than the Lexus GX 460.
In some ways it handled better than the Lexus (!)
My wife would prefer the lower to the ground, more car like view
Significantly cheaper than the Lexus.
Power for days. Able to tow even more weight than the Lexus, so more safety margin, in a way….
Longer wheelbase than the Lexus, so one might conclude that it is more stable, in a way.
Tried and true engine. Been around a long time, I’m told.
cons:
Interior isn’t quite as luxurious as the Lexus, at a glance. (this is an issue with my wife)
I didn’t have time to really look at the Durango interior….
Didn't seem as quiet as the Lexus. Still.... pretty quiet.
A survey of many, many owners determined that this is has quite a few reliability issues. (Consumer Reports says so)
Longer and slightly wider than the Lexus, so might be a little tougher to park.
My hunch is side and rear visibility isn’t quite as good as the Lexus…. (although by the time we get around to owning a new SUV, I’m hoping that more safety stuff will me included as standard, such as blind spot monitoring, etc.)
So there you go….. FWIIW
p.s.... just announced is the insanely powerful Durango SRT. Holy cow!!!
details here:
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/dodge...t-look-review/
cheers
John