2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Dodge Durango offered a range of models from the base GT with a V6 engine and rear-wheel drive starting at approximately $43,000, to the high-performance SRT Hellcat with a supercharged V8 engine and all-wheel drive, priced near $100,000. The SRT Hellcat Premium with the Silver Bullet special edition package, featuring Triple Nickel paint, satin black hood, and unique wheels, was priced at $115,315, including destination charges. This package added a more aggressive visual appeal, which was a welcome change for those seeking a bolder look. Inside, the SRT Hellcat maintained a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather seats, a suede headliner, and carbon fiber trim, though some plastic surfaces detracted from the overall luxury experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in five trims, maintained its design from the previous year, showcasing a chunky, boxy aesthetic with a long wheelbase and pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim offered distinct wheel sizes, with the off-road-focused XRT trim featuring chrome and black exterior accents. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Calligraphy trim, which offered captain's chairs in the second row. The interior ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather, with some squeaks and rattles noted during testing. The Santa Fe's interior was functional, with physical HVAC controls, though some buttons were less intuitive.

The 2025 Dodge Durango streamlined its powertrain options, offering a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 in the GT, a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T, and a 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the SRT Hellcat. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the GT featuring standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, while the R/T and SRT Hellcat came with standard all-wheel drive. The SRT Hellcat's engine delivered 645 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph and a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. Despite its power, the Durango SRT Hellcat suffered from poor fuel economy, rated at 12/17/13 mpg city/highway/combined. The SUV's performance was enhanced by a full-time AWD system, adaptive damping suspension, and Brembo brakes, providing a track-ready feel.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across the lineup, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered a combined 231 horsepower from a 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The Santa Fe handled corners well, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The XRT trim's off-road capabilities were enhanced by 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, though it wasn't suited for rugged terrain. The Santa Fe's towing capacity ranged from 3,500 to 4,500 pounds, depending on the trim.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in form and function, offering a spacious and comfortable interior with thoughtful features. The SRT Hellcat Premium model included heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa leather, though the seats lacked secure support during spirited driving. The second-row captain's chairs provided adequate legroom and comfort, with a large center console offering ample storage. The third-row seats were accessible through a generous pass-through, providing enough space for adults. The Durango's cargo capacity ranged from 17.2 cubic feet with all seats up to 85.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, with a power liftgate for easy access.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a versatile center console. The XRT trim featured heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet, while the Calligraphy trim added heated second-row seats and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seats. Cargo space ranged from 14.6 cubic feet with all seats up to 79.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The widened liftgate opening facilitated loading larger items, and most trims could tow up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Dodge Durango came equipped with a Uconnect 5 infotainment system featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a native navigation system. Additional features included SiriusXM 360L, Dodge Connect, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless smartphone charging. The SRT Hellcat model boasted a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics. The system was user-friendly, though voice recognition required specific commands.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also offering a digital gauge cluster. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional Amazon Music, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging. The Santa Fe offered a digital key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and an optional digital rearview mirror. Bluelink app connectivity provided remote access to vehicle functions, and over-the-air updates ensured the latest software.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and trailer detection. The Durango received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a concerning three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated its small overlap frontal-impact performance poorly.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added rear parking collision avoidance, side park distance warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Santa Fe's Highway Drive Assist was generally smooth, though it occasionally struggled in heavy traffic. The top trims featured blind spot avoidance and a Blind-View Monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories.