Both the Durango SRT and the AMG GLS 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, 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.
Compare the2023 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2023 Mercedes AMG GLS
Safety
Warranty
Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG GLS. 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 GLS 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.
Reliability
The Dodge Durango SRT’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the AMG GLS’ engine uses 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.
Engine
The Durango SRT Hellcat’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 107 more horsepower (710 vs. 603) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (645 vs. 627) than the AMG GLS’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.
As tested in Motor Trend the Durango SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Mercedes AMG GLS:
|
Durango SRT |
AMG GLS |
Zero to 60 MPH |
3.4 sec |
3.7 sec |
Quarter Mile |
11.7 sec |
12.1 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
117.3 MPH |
115.7 MPH |
Transmission
The Durango SRT’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer launch control.
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the Durango SRT has larger tires than the AMG GLS (295/45R20 vs. 275/50R21). The Durango SRT’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG GLS (295/45R20 vs. 285/45R22).
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 GLS 63’s standard 50 series front tires.
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 AMG GLS doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Chassis
The Dodge Durango SRT may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 650 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLS.
The Durango SRT 392 is 5.6 inches shorter than the AMG GLS, making the Durango SRT easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
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 GLS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.
Passenger Space
The Durango SRT has .5 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more third row shoulder room than the AMG GLS.
Cargo Capacity
The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the AMG GLS.
|
Durango SRT |
AMG GLS |
Third Seat Folded |
43.3 cubic feet |
42.7 cubic feet |
Second Seat Folded |
85.1 cubic feet |
84.7 cubic feet |
Towing
The Durango SRT’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the AMG GLS’ (8700 vs. 7700 pounds).
A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Durango SRT, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the AMG GLS.
Ergonomics
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 GLS has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature 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 GLS 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 AMG GLS.
Recommendations
The Dodge Durango outsold the Mercedes GLS by almost three to one during 2022.