Compare the2023 Dodge DurangoVS 2023 Mercedes GLB

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 GLB doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the GLB 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, 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.

The Dodge Durango weighs 859 to 1732 pounds more than the Mercedes GLB. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Durango has a standard 850-amp battery. The GLB only offers a 800-amp battery.

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 13 points higher than the GLB.

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’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 72 more horsepower (293 vs. 221) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 74 more horsepower (295 vs. 221) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Durango’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 139 more horsepower (360 vs. 221) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango V8 is faster than the Mercedes GLB:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The GLB 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 GLB requires premium, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

The Durango has 8.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (24.6 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the GLB (265/60R18 vs. 235/55R18). The Durango R/T’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLB (295/45R20 vs. 235/55R18).

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 GLB; 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 GLB don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Durango offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLB doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the GLB (119.8 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

The Durango’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the GLB’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Durango more stable handling and braking.

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

The Durango has 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 3 inches more third row headroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom and 6.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the GLB.

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

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

The Durango has a 6200 lbs. towing capacity. The GLB has no 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 GLB can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Durango 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 GLB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

The Durango’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 GLB does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 GLB 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 GLB’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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

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

The Durango will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Durango will retain 51.72% to 54.97% of its original price after five years, while the GLB only retains 46.13% to 48.36%.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Mercedes GLB by over two to one during 2022.