Compare the2024 Audi RS 6VS 2024 Dodge Durango SRT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 6 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Dodge Durango SRT doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The RS 6’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.

Both the RS 6 and Durango SRT have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS 6 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Durango SRT’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi RS 6 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RS 6 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The RS 6 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly 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 infrastructure.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the RS 6 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The RS 6’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Durango SRT.

The RS 6 has a standard Top and Corner View Cameras 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 RS 6 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi RS 6 is safer than the Dodge Durango SRT:

	RS 6	Durango SRT
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	34%
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.8 inches

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

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 Audi RS 6 is safer than the Dodge Durango SRT:

	RS 6	Durango SRT
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	514 lbs.	714 lbs.

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

Warranty

The RS 6 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car 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.

The RS 6’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Durango SRT’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the RS 6 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engines in the Durango SRT.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 2 places higher in reliability than Dodge.

Engine

The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 146 more horsepower (621 vs. 475) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 470) than the Durango SRT’s standard 6.4 V8.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the RS 6 gets better mileage than the Durango SRT:

			MPG
RS 6
	AWD	4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	14 city/22 hwy
Durango SRT
	AWD	6.4 OHV V8	13 city/19 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	12 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the RS 6’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 RS 6’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 Audi RS 6 higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Durango SRT (1). This means the RS 6 produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Durango SRT every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RS 6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Durango SRT:

	RS 6	Durango SRT 392	Durango SRT Hellcat
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	15 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13.8 inches	13.8 inches

The RS 6 stops much shorter than the Durango SRT:

	RS 6	Durango SRT
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The RS 6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Durango SRT’s standard 45 series tires. The RS 6’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Durango SRT’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 6 has standard 21-inch wheels. Only 20-inch wheels are available on the Durango SRT. The RS 6 offers optional 22-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the RS 6 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RS 6 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .2 inches wider in the rear than on the Durango SRT.

The RS 6 Avant handles at .94 G’s, while the Durango SRT pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RS 6 Avant executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Durango SRT 392 (24.2 seconds @ .81 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RS 6’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Durango SRT’s (40 feet vs. 41 feet).

Chassis

The Audi RS 6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Dodge Durango SRT.

The RS 6 is 4.1 inches shorter than the Durango SRT 392, making the RS 6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RS 6 is 13.5 inches shorter in height than the Durango SRT, making the RS 6 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Audi RS 6 amounts to more than styling. The RS 6 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .36 Cd. That is lower than the Durango SRT (.38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RS 6 get better fuel mileage.

Cargo Capacity

The RS 6 has a much larger cargo volume than the Durango SRT with its rear seat up (30 vs. 17.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the RS 6 easier. The RS 6’s trunk lift-over height is 23.7 inches, while the Durango SRT’s liftover is 31.4 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RS 6’s rear 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 RS 6’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.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 25% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Durango SRT, the RS 6 offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RS 6 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 RS 6’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 RS 6’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 nozzles are standard on the RS 6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Laser headlights, standard on the RS 6, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Durango SRT’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS 6 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the RS 6 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The RS 6 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 Audi RS 6 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Durango SRT.

The RS 6’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer an automated parking system.