Compare the2022 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2021 Mercedes AMG GLA

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 Mercedes AMG GLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Durango SRT and the AMG GLA 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 Dodge Durango SRT weighs 1725 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLA. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

There are over 6 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mercedes 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 AMG GLA’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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Durango SRT’s 6.4 V8 produces 173 more horsepower (475 vs. 302) and 175 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 295) than the AMG GLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango SRT’s 6.4 V8 produces 93 more horsepower (475 vs. 382) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 354) than the AMG GLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Durango SRT has 11.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLA (24.6 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Durango SRT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLA:

For better traction, the Durango SRT has larger tires than the AMG GLA (295/45R20 vs. 235/50R19).

The Durango SRT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLA’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Durango SRT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLA 35.

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. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the AMG GLA.

The Durango SRT has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG GLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG GLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango SRT’s wheelbase is 12.4 inches longer than on the AMG GLA (119.8 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Durango SRT is .8 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the AMG GLA.

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 AMG GLA doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The Durango SRT has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLA.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the AMG GLA.

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 AMG GLA doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Durango SRT is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG GLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 AMG GLA 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 AMG GLA only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Durango SRT has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Durango SRT has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the AMG GLA. The Durango SRT also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG GLA.

On extremely cold winter days, the Durango SRT’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.