Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG GLEVS 2023 Dodge Durango SRT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG GLE have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Dodge Durango SRT doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The AMG GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The AMG GLE offers optional Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the AMG GLE’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The AMG GLE has Car-to-X, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

The AMG GLE has a standard Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Durango SRT only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the AMG GLE and Durango SRT have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG GLE has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Durango SRT’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The AMG GLE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLE and the Durango SRT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the Dodge Durango SRT:

	AMG GLE	Durango SRT
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24%	34%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	236 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	339/364 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	209	295
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.8 inches
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	86 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the Durango SRT:

	AMG GLE	Durango SRT
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	9 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Femur Force R/L	1.9/1.3 kN	5.3/2.5 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	6%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.42/.42	1.53/.59

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 Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the Dodge Durango SRT:

	AMG GLE	Durango SRT
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	46
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	714 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the AMG GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Durango SRT is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The AMG GLE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Durango SRT’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the AMG GLE have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engines in the Durango SRT.

Engine

The AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (603 vs. 475) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 470) than the Durango SRT’s standard 6.4 V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG GLE 63 S 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Durango SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8:

	AMG GLE	Durango SRT
Zero to 60 MPH	3.2 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.1 sec	8.9 sec
Quarter Mile	11.6 sec	12 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	118 MPH	115 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLE gets better mileage than the Durango SRT:

			MPG
AMG GLE
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/23 hwy
		4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	15 city/19 hwy
Durango SRT
	AWD	6.4 OHV V8	13 city/19 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	12 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG GLE’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG GLE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG GLE higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Dodge Durango SRT (1). This means the AMG GLE produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Durango SRT every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Mercedes AMG GLE as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Dodge Durango SRT is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Durango SRT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	AMG GLE 53	AMG GLE 63 S CCB	Durango SRT 392	Durango SRT Hellcat
Front Rotors	15.8 inches	16.5 inches	15 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	13.8 inches	13.8 inches

The AMG GLE offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

Tires and Wheels

The AMG GLE’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Durango SRT’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG GLE offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Durango SRT’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The AMG GLE offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the AMG GLE uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Durango SRT, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG GLE offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Dodge doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Durango SRT.

The AMG GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLE is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Durango SRT.

The AMG GLE 63 S handles at .90 G’s, while the Durango SRT pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the AMG GLE’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Durango SRT’s (39.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

Chassis

The AMG GLE 53 is 6.4 inches shorter than the Durango SRT 392, making the AMG GLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes AMG GLE amounts to more than styling. The AMG GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is lower than the Durango SRT (.38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the AMG GLE get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The AMG GLE has .6 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom, 4.4 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Durango SRT.

Cargo Capacity

The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume than the Durango SRT with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 17.2 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the AMG GLE’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG GLE’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Durango SRT, the AMG GLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG GLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The AMG GLE’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Durango SRT’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The AMG GLE’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Durango SRT’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the AMG GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The AMG GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Durango SRT’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG GLE offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG GLE also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the AMG GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the AMG GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The AMG GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Durango SRT.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The AMG GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Dodge Durango by 14% during 2022.

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