2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, presented a unique aesthetic that set it apart from other Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with models like the GLS, GLC, and GLB, yet its more rounded profile paid homage to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The GLE featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights, giving it a wide stance. However, the sharply tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created odd proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models. Despite not being the most handsome in the Mercedes lineup, its styling adhered closely to the brand’s identity, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Inside, Mercedes offered a variety of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan. The U.S. test car's Yacht Blue interior was unavailable in Canada, but the GLE's interior still impressed with its upscale feel. Features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting transformed the cabin into a vibrant space. The interior was designed to feel special and luxurious, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Dodge Durango, sold in Canada starting at $56,511, offered a range of models from the base GT with a V6 engine to the high-performance SRT Hellcat with a supercharged V8 engine priced at $151,915. The Silver Bullet special edition package added visual flair to the SRT Hellcat with features like a satin black hood, unique wheels, dark badges, and black exhaust tips. These enhancements gave the Durango a more aggressive look, appealing to buyers seeking a bold appearance.

Inside, the SRT Hellcat maintained a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather seat faces contrasting against a predominantly black cabin. The Premium Package added a suede headliner, a leather and suede steering wheel wrap, and forged carbon fibre trim. While the upgrades were appreciated, some plastic surfaces detracted from the overall luxury feel. Despite this, the Durango felt solidly constructed, offering a comfortable and supportive ride.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG options. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, offering 80 kilometres of electric range.

The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models rounded out the lineup. The AMG GLE 53 used an enhanced inline-six powertrain to deliver 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S featured a hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, with maneuverability challenges in tight spaces.

The 2025 Dodge Durango streamlined its powertrain offerings with the GT's 295-horsepower 3.6-litre V6, the R/T's 360-hp 5.7-litre V8, and the SRT Hellcat's 710-hp supercharged 6.2-litre V8. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The SRT Hellcat's V8 produced 645 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 96 km/h in 3.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 290 km/h, and towing up to 3,945 kilograms.

Despite its power, the Durango SRT Hellcat suffered from poor fuel economy, with ratings of 20.5 L/100 km in the city, 13.8 on the highway, and 17.4 combined. However, its full-time AWD system, electronic limited-slip rear differential, and high-performance exhaust system enhanced its driving dynamics. The Durango felt firm on the road, with responsive steering and braking, and performed exceptionally well in mountainous terrain, rivaling sport and performance-tuned German alternatives.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though Mercedes did not publish third-row space specs. The GLE offered similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, but outward visibility was limited. The AMG test car's heavily bolstered front seats made entry and exit challenging.

Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom comparable to a BMW X5 and more legroom than the BMW, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, it provided 1,790 litres of cargo space, the most among its competitors. The GLE's centre console offered reasonable storage for small items, and its maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms matched the Audi Q7.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in form and function, offering a roomy and comfortable interior with thoughtful features. The SRT Hellcat test vehicle had heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa premium leather, providing comfort and support. However, the performance seats did not securely hold occupants during spirited driving. The heated second-row captain's chairs offered a proper backrest angle and good leg support, with enough legroom for taller passengers.

The test vehicle's large centre console provided ample storage, including a bin accessible by rear passengers. Rear climate controls, air vents, grab handles, USB charging ports, and a household-style power outlet added convenience. The second-row seats could be manually folded and tumbled for third-row access, which offered enough room for adults and a supportive seating position. The Durango's power liftgate revealed 487 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,226 litres with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum volume of 2,409 litres.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a standard interface with two 12.3-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and the other for infotainment. The MBUX system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, were available, though they could be confusing. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car had additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise.

Some GLE models offered an off-road display with steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, along with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system. These features, combined with air suspension, enhanced off-road capability, though the GLE was not as fun off-road as a Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

The 2025 Dodge Durango featured a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and native navigation. The system included SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Dodge Connect, and SiriusXM Guardian subscription services, supporting dual-phone Bluetooth pairing and wireless smartphone charging. The SRT Hellcat came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

The Uconnect system paired easily with an iPhone 16, and the voice recognition system worked well, though it required specificity. The SRT Hellcat included SRT Performance Pages, allowing drivers to track acceleration, speed, lap times, and g-forces. While seemingly out of place in a family SUV, the Durango SRT Hellcat's performance justified these features.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were not standard. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system mitigated collision effects by tightening seatbelts, closing windows, and emitting a sound to protect against hearing loss.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control with speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The IIHS named the GLE a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, reflecting its older engineering. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. These features worked as expected, though lane-departure warnings were subtle, and adaptive cruise control reduced speed excessively in curves.

The NHTSA awarded the Durango a four-star overall rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS's small overlap frontal-impact test results were concerning, and the Durango had not been assessed in newer evaluations.