2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 GMC Acadia: Three-Row SUV Comparison in Manitoba
Choosing a three-row SUV in Manitoba often comes down to how you actually plan to use it. The 2026 Dodge Durango is built around performance and towing muscle, with a lineup that runs from a standard V-6 to a supercharged V-8.
The GMC Acadia takes a different approach: one turbocharged four-cylinder across every trim, plus hands-free highway driving tech. If weekend trailer runs, boat launches, or spirited driving matter to you, the specs below make the choice easier.
Durango and Acadia at a Glance
| Category | 2026 Dodge Durango | 2026 GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing (V-6 trim) | 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Max towing (V-8 trims) | 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Top horsepower | 710 hp (SRT Hellcat) | 328 hp |
| Base engine output | 295 hp / 260 lb-ft | 328 hp / 326 lb-ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 to 7 passengers | 7 to 8 passengers |
| Max cargo volume | 2,409.8 L | 2,761 L |
| Touchscreen size | 10.1 in | 15 in |
| Basic warranty | 36 mo / 60,000 km | 36 mo / 60,000 km |
| Powertrain warranty | 60 mo / 100,000 km | 60 mo / 100,000 km |
Powertrain Choices: V-6 Efficiency to Supercharged V-8 Muscle
Durango's standard engine is a 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 rated at 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive on the GT trim. Step up to the GT HEMI V-8 AWD and displacement grows to 5.7 litres, with output rising to 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft.
The R/T 392 brings a 6.4-litre HEMI V-8 producing 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft, enough to hit 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. At the top, the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V-8 in the SRT Hellcat and Hellcat Jailbreak sends 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft to all four wheels.
On paper, the Acadia's turbo four actually edges the Durango's standard V-6, with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft against 295 and 260. But that's the Acadia's whole powertrain story: one engine, every trim. The Durango range keeps climbing all the way to a 710-horsepower supercharged V-8, a jump the Acadia's single turbo four simply cannot make.
Towing Capacity and Trailer-Ready Features
Durango's standard V-6 already tows 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg). The 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 pushes that to roughly 7,200 lbs (3,266 kg), and the R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat models reach 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg), the highest rating in the lineup. The Acadia's single turbo engine tops out at 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) across every trim.
The Acadia backs up its rating with a standard Trailering Package, including Hitch Guidance and Hitch View, on all four trims. Durango buyers get more headroom to grow into a heavier trailer, though: the towing range climbs by 3,700 lbs (1,678 kg) from the Acadia's ceiling to the Durango's V-8 trims, and Durango's Blind-Spot Monitoring adds a Trailer Tow Detection System on trailer-equipped models.
Cabin Layout, Seating and Cargo Space
Durango seating starts at 5 passengers in a 2-row layout on the SXT, then opens to 7 passengers on the GT and GT HEMI trims. The SRT Hellcat ships 5-passenger as standard, while the Hellcat Jailbreak can be configured for 5, 6, or 7 passengers. The Acadia seats 8 on Elevation and 7 on AT4 and Denali.
The Acadia's cargo hold expands to 2,761 L with the rear seats folded, ahead of the Durango's 2,409.8 L maximum. Behind the third row, the Acadia holds 651 L to the Durango's 487.1 L. But most of that extra space goes unused on tow days, since the Durango's higher ratings mean gear rides behind the vehicle on a trailer instead of stacked inside the cabin.
Technology, Screens and Driver Assistance
The Acadia's 15-inch touchscreen is noticeably larger than the Durango's 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 display, and its 11-inch driver information screen adds another layer of digital readout. Super Cruise, GMC's hands-free highway driving system, is available across the Acadia lineup.
Durango skips hands-free driving in favour of a cockpit built for the driver: paddle shifters, an M-gate manual shifter on SRT trims, and selectable SRT Drive Modes that keep gear changes in your hands, not a computer's. Its Uconnect 5 system still runs wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation standard.
Move up to the R/T 392 Premium and Durango offers a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, ahead of the Acadia's largest available Bose setup at 16 speakers. On safety, Durango lists more than 60 available safety and security features, while Acadia includes over 19 standard driver-assistance systems.
Matching the Right Three-Row to Your Towing and Performance Needs
If you tow a boat, a travel trailer, or a utility trailer more than a few times a season, Durango's range, from 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) on the V-6 to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) on the R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat, leaves room to grow into a heavier trailer down the road.
If performance matters as much as capability, the V-8 lineup, topped by the 710-horsepower SRT Hellcat, delivers muscle-SUV acceleration the Acadia's single turbo four cannot approach.
If you want a three-row SUV that seats a family comfortably while still hauling gear on weekends, the 7-passenger GT and GT HEMI trims pair that towing range with standard tow-aware safety tech. For Manitoba drivers who tow, chase performance, or simply want a bolder three-row SUV, the 2026 Durango is the stronger pick.
Feel the Durango's Towing and Power for Yourself
The 2026 Dodge Durango pairs a V-6 that already tows 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) with V-8 options that climb to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg), giving Manitoba drivers a three-row SUV built around real towing capability and muscle-SUV performance.
Visit Eastern Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Winnipeg to sit in the Durango's cockpit, compare V-6 and V-8 trims side by side, and ask about bringing your own trailer along to feel the towing and handling difference for yourself.
