Compare the2023 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2022 Mercedes G-Class

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 G-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Durango SRT uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The G-Class uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Durango SRT and the G-Class 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, 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.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the G-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the G-Class 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 engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the G-Class’ 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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Durango SRT’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 59 more horsepower (475 vs. 416) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 450) than the G 550’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The Durango SRT Hellcat’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 133 more horsepower (710 vs. 577) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (645 vs. 627) than the AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango SRT V8 is faster than the G 550:

On the EPA test cycle the Durango SRT gets better mileage than the G-Class:

For better stopping power the Durango SRT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G-Class:

The Durango SRT stops much shorter than the G-Class:

For better traction, the Durango SRT has larger tires than the G-Class (295/45R20 vs. 275/55R19).

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 G 550’s standard 55 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 G 550.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Dodge Durango SRT has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango SRT’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the G-Class (119.8 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Durango SRT’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the G-Class’ (53% to 47%). This gives the Durango SRT more stable handling and braking.

The Durango SRT 392 handles at .88 G’s, while the AMG G 63 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Durango SRT Hellcat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 5.7 seconds quicker than the G 550 (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 30.7 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Durango SRT’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

Unibody construction lowers the Durango SRT’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The G-Class uses body-on-frame design instead.

The design of the Dodge Durango SRT amounts to more than styling. The Durango SRT has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .38 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Durango SRT get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Durango SRT has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 G-Class doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Durango SRT has standard seating for 7 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

The Durango SRT has 34.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G-Class (141.4 vs. 107).

The Durango SRT has 1.6 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the G-Class.

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 G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Durango SRT has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The Durango SRT’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the G-Class’ (8700 vs. 7000 pounds).

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 G-Class 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 G-Class 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 G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 G-Class.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Mercedes G-Class by almost 8 to one during 2022.