Compare the2022 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2022 BMW X5 M

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Durango SRT are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Durango SRT has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The X5 M doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango SRT and the X5 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Durango SRT is safer than the BMW X5 M:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Durango SRT is safer than the BMW X5 M:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5 M. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 M ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango SRT’s warranty.

The Dodge Durango SRT’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X5 M’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

On the EPA test cycle the Durango SRT gets better mileage than the X5 M:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango SRT’s fuel efficiency. The X5 M doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango SRT has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 M (24.6 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Durango SRT can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The X5 M doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Durango SRT has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 M doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango SRT’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the X5 M (119.8 inches vs. 117 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Durango SRT’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the X5 M’s (41 feet vs. 42 feet).

The Durango SRT uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X5 M doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Durango SRT has standard seating for 7 passengers; the X5 M can only carry 5.

The Durango SRT has .5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the X5 M.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Durango SRT’s middle row seats recline. The X5 M’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the X5 M.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area is larger than the X5 M’s in almost every dimension:

The Durango SRT’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 M’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Durango SRT has a 8700 lbs. towing capacity. The X5 M has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Durango SRT uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 M doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Durango SRT has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X5 M (1410 vs. 1080 lbs.).

The Durango SRT’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X5 M does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Durango SRT has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 M only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Durango SRT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X5 M doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Durango SRT owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango SRT will cost $5500 to $5887 less than the X5 M over a five-year period.

The Durango SRT will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Durango SRT will retain 51.15% of its original price after five years, while the X5 M only retains 44.3% to 44.78%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango SRT will be $41966 to $49745 less than for the BMW X5 M.