2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 GMC Acadia: Three-Row SUV Comparison
Saskatchewan families shopping for a three-row SUV face a clear fork in the road: do you want a vehicle built around efficiency and everyday ease, or one engineered to haul hard and move fast? The 2026 Dodge Durango and the 2026 GMC Acadia both seat seven, but they answer that question very differently.
| Category | 2026 Dodge Durango | 2026 GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|
| Engine options | 3.6L V-6 (295 hp), 5.7L V-8 (360 hp), 6.4L V-8 (475 hp), 6.2L SC V-8 (710 hp) | 2.5L Turbo I-4 (328 hp) |
| Max towing | 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Standard towing (V-6 / base) | 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Seating | Up to 7 | Up to 8 (Elevation) / 7 |
| Max cargo volume | 2,410 L | 2,761 L |
| Fuel economy (city/hwy) | 13.5 / 9.9 L/100 km (V-6) | 12.1 / 10.1 L/100 km |
| Touchscreen | 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 | 15-inch GMC Infotainment |
| Super Cruise | Not available | Available (standard on Denali Ultimate) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 60,000 km | 3 yr / 60,000 km |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 100,000 km | 5 yr / 100,000 km |
Power and Performance
The Durango's engine lineup has no rival in this segment. Canada gets the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 as the standard powertrain, rated at 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Step up to the GT HEMI AWD and the 5.7L V-8 delivers 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. The R/T 392 raises the bar further with a 6.4L V-8 producing 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, covering 0--60 mph in 4.4 seconds. At the top sits the SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2L V-8 at 710 hp and 645 lb-ft.
The Acadia uses a single powertrain across every trim: a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 328 hp and 326 lb-ft, also paired with an 8-speed automatic. That number is respectable for daily driving, but it's the only option on the menu.
For towing, the gap is decisive. The Durango's V-6 already out-pulls the Acadia's ceiling, rated at 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) versus the Acadia's maximum of 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). With the R/T 392 and Tow N Go, the Durango reaches 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg), a figure no three-row SUV in this class can match.
Durango power highlights:
• V-6 GT: 295 hp / 260 lb-ft, 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) towing
• GT HEMI AWD: 360 hp / 390 lb-ft
• R/T 392: 475 hp / 470 lb-ft, 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) towing
• SRT Hellcat: 710 hp / 645 lb-ft
Fuel Economy
The Acadia's single turbo-four earns an EnerGuide rating of 12.1 L/100 km city and 10.1 L/100 km highway across every trim. The Durango V-6 comes in at 13.5 city and 9.9 highway, a comparable highway number with a higher city figure. The GT HEMI V-8 climbs to 17.0 city and 11.0 highway. The SRT Hellcat Jailbreak reaches 20.5 city and 13.8 highway on premium fuel.
If fuel costs are your primary concern, the Acadia is the more efficient choice on paper. But the Durango V-6 narrows that gap considerably on highway runs, which is how most Saskatchewan families use a vehicle of this size. The trade-off for choosing the Acadia is giving up two engine steps worth of towing and performance headroom.
Interior, Cargo, and Tech
The Acadia offers more maximum cargo volume: 2,761 L with all rows folded versus the Durango's 2,410 L. The Elevation trim also provides 8-passenger seating, while the Durango seats seven. If raw passenger or cargo capacity is your deciding factor, the Acadia has an edge there.
The Durango counters with up to 50 seating configurations and a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen standard across the lineup, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated navigation, and heated front seats and steering wheel included from the base GT trim. The R/T 392 interior steps up to Nappa leather and suede seating with heated and ventilated front seats; the Premium variant adds a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, carbon-fibre accents, and a suede headliner.
The Acadia brings a 15-inch infotainment screen on the AT4 and above, along with Google built-in compatibility and a 12-speaker Bose audio system standard on most trims. The Denali Ultimate adds a 16-speaker Bose system and Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology on compatible roads.
The Durango's standard safety suite includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross path detection, trailer-sway control, seven airbags including full-length three-row side-curtain airbags, and a forward collision warning system. The Acadia matches with over 19 standard driver assistance features, including enhanced automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic braking, and reverse automatic braking.
Which One Is Right for You?
If you tow a trailer, a boat, or a camper regularly, the Durango is the answer. Its V-6 alone outpulls the Acadia's ceiling, and the R/T 392 opens up class-leading 8,700 lb (3,946 kg) capability no other three-row gas SUV can touch. The multi-engine lineup also means you can match the powertrain to your actual budget and use case rather than accepting a single option.
The Acadia suits families who prioritize everyday efficiency, a slightly larger cargo floor with all rows folded, and features like Super Cruise. But when performance, towing, and powertrain variety are the real priorities, which describes the way most drivers actually use a truck-based family SUV, the Durango holds every card that matters.
The Durango Delivers Where It Counts
The 2026 Dodge Durango brings engine choices, towing ratings, and performance options that no rival three-row SUV in Canada can match, all in a seven-passenger package that handles family duty just as capably as a weekend at the lake.
Visit Dodge City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Saskatoon to explore the Durango lineup, find the trim that fits your towing needs, and schedule a test drive.
