Compare the2022 Dodge DurangoVS 2021 Mercedes GLE

The Durango 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 GLE doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front parking sensors.

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Durango’s reliability 31 points higher than the GLE.

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Durango 4x4 3.6 DOHC V6 gets better fuel mileage than the GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid 4MATIC (18 city/25 hwy vs. 17 city/22 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The GLE doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Dodge Durango uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The GLE requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLE (24.6 vs. 22.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Dodge Durango at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mercedes GLE is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

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

The Durango’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the GLE 350 are solid, not vented.

The Durango stops shorter than the GLE:

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the GLE (265/60R18 vs. 255/50R19). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLE (295/45R20 vs. 275/45R21).

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

The Durango offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GLE; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the GLE (119.8 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the GLE’s (53.5% to 46.5%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

The Durango R/T 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the GLE 350 4MATIC pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Durango R/T 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLE.

The Durango’s cargo area is larger than the GLE’s in almost every dimension:

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLE’s (6200 vs. 5950 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes GLE is only 7700 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango V8 4WD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Durango can be unhitched and driven around locally. The GLE can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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

Consumer Reports rated the Durango’s headlight performance “Good” to “Very Good” (depending on model and options), a higher rating than the GLE’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Insurance will cost less for the Durango owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Durango will cost $2240 to $6215 less than the GLE over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Durango is less expensive to operate than the GLE because it costs $137 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Durango than the GLE, including $574 less for a water pump, $342 less for a muffler, $113 less for front brake pads, $205 less for a starter, $357 less for fuel injection, $39 less for a fuel pump, $40 less for front struts and $516 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango will be $23102 to $33047 less than for the Mercedes GLE.