Dodge Durango v Ford Everest

One of the best looking SUV’s on the global market today is the current (3rd generation) Dodge Durango and I really feel that Ford believes this too! Dodge must be flattered that the new Ford Everest is so alike! Take a look at the photos below – do you see any similarities?

For starters, the grille is very close in shape although Ford has also taken design cues from James Bond’s rival henchman, Jaws! The headlight units are quite close in design, especially the light unit under to main beams. To complement the cars further, both have indicators in their door mirrors in the same place. The overall shape is roughly the same too although the Everest is a slightly smaller vehicle.

I feel the Dodge has the better design, maybe Ford will improve the Everest in the next design cycle however their rival will probably keep one step ahead!

Dodge Durango
This generation launched in 2010 and comes fitted with either the venerable 3.6 litre PentaStar V6 motor or a 5.7 litre Hemi V8. It’s a full sized SUV with a 120 inch wheelbase and shares much of its underpinnings with Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and is even built at the same plant in Detroit as it’s sister model.

Interestingly, the PentaStar V6 uses a Mercedes sourced gearbox – a leftover from the old DaimlerChrysler marriage that broke up in 2007! Apparently 2015 was the last year of production until FIAT Chrysler (FCA) get the new Grand Cherokee out into the market and then a new Durango should be heading our way.

Ford Everest
The 2015/16 Ford Everest is also the third generation model to hold that name. The original models were based on the Ford Ranger utility vehicle which was itself based on the Mazda B Series – a BT-50 utility. Again this is from a historical tie up – although in Asia there is still some badge engineering going on.

This third version was designed in Australia and is being built alongside the current Ford Ranger ute in Thailand and by Jianling Motors in China. These are mid sized vehicles using 2.2 or 3.2 litre motors depending on the market. In Australia it uses the 3.2 litre Duratorq diesel motor. It is now the 4th and biggest in the Australian SUV line up by Ford after the EcoSport, Kuga (aka Escape) & Territory. It’s actually not much shorter than the Durango with a wheelbase of 112 inches! However power is down by about 90hp on the Durango 3.6 and a whopping 160hp down on the Dodge Hemi.

In India, it is badged as the Endeavour and globally it is one of a large range of SUVs designed and built by Ford.

Design Copies
It is not uncommon for manufacturers to copy design features from other vehicles. Sometimes the designs can be quite close though. I’d certainly like to see both these vehicles together to have a good comparison.