Compare the2023 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2023 BMW X3 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 X3 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Durango SRT and the X3 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 768 to 1100 pounds more than the BMW X3 M. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 X3 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 X3 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 X3 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 engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X3 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’ 2022 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 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Durango SRT’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 2 more horsepower (475 vs. 473) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 457) than the X3 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Durango SRT Hellcat’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 207 more horsepower (710 vs. 503) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (645 vs. 479) than the X3 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Durango SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the X3 M Competition:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango SRT’s fuel efficiency. The X3 M doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango SRT has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 M (24.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Durango SRT has larger tires than the X3 M (295/45R20 vs. 255/45R20).

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 X3 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 X3 M doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango SRT’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the X3 M (119.8 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Durango SRT is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the X3 M.

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 X3 M doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Durango SRT has standard seating for 7 passengers; the X3 M can only carry 5.

The Durango SRT has 40 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 M (141.4 vs. 101.4).

The Durango SRT has .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3 M.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the X3 M.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area is larger than the X3 M’s in almost every dimension:

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 X3 M doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Durango SRT has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X3 M (1410 vs. 840 lbs.).

The Durango SRT has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 M (1590 vs. 840 lbs.).

The Durango SRT’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 M doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 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 X3 M only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Durango SRT has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X3 M.

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 X3 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 $905 less than the X3 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 55.55% of its original price after five years, while the X3 M only retains 51.51%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Durango SRT will be $3053 less than for the BMW X3 M.