2025 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long-standing presence in the automotive world, known for its massive size and practicality. Despite its imposing dimensions, it blended seamlessly into traffic, a testament to its status as an automotive institution. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, it was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban environments. However, for those needing ample cargo and passenger space, the Suburban was a top choice. It came in six trims, each offering various features, from basic niceties like LED headlights to luxurious options like leather interiors and power running-board steps.

Inside, the Suburban provided a comfortable cabin with plenty of space for passengers. While cloth seats were standard on the base trim, higher trims boasted leather upholstery, with the Premier and High Country offering premium leather options. The test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, and supportive seats, though they lacked the comfort expected for long journeys. Despite its high-end features, the interior felt somewhat pedestrian, with power adjustments for the front seats varying by trim.

The 2025 Dodge Durango, particularly in the SRT Hellcat Premium trim, offered a striking appearance with the Silver Bullet special edition package. This included a satin black hood, unique wheels, and dark badges, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Durango maintained a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather seats and a suede headliner. The cabin was well-constructed, though some plastic surfaces detracted from its luxury status. The Durango's interior was designed for comfort, with heated and ventilated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, though the seats lacked secure support during spirited driving.

The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and offered good leg support, though they sat low in the cabin. The Durango provided ample storage, rear climate controls, and USB ports, enhancing its practicality. Access to the third row was easy, and it offered sufficient space for adults. The power liftgate revealed 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 85.1 cubic feet with seats folded, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 277 horsepower. The 5.3-liter V8 was standard on most trims, providing ample power and a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, offered more effortless acceleration. The diesel engine, with its 460 pound-feet of torque, delivered better fuel economy and was a cost-effective choice on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, though the electronic button-style shift mechanism might not appeal to everyone. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims. The Suburban handled well for its size, with impressive steering and brakes, though drivers needed to account for its weight and potential body roll.

The 2025 Dodge Durango streamlined its powertrain offerings, with the GT featuring a 295-horsepower V6, the R/T a 360-horsepower V8, and the SRT Hellcat a 710-horsepower supercharged V8. The SRT Hellcat's engine delivered 645 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and tow up to 8,700 pounds. Despite its power, the Durango's fuel economy was poor, with an EPA rating of 12/17/13 mpg. The Durango SRT Hellcat featured a full-time AWD system, adaptive damping suspension, and Brembo brakes, providing excellent handling and grip. It drove like a taller Charger, with firm road manners and immediate braking capability. The Durango excelled in performance, offering a thrilling driving experience with its powerful engine and track-ready capabilities.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 93.8 cubic feet with seats folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for families needing ample storage for road trips. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups.

The 2025 Dodge Durango also impressed with its form and function. The SRT Hellcat Premium featured heated and ventilated front seats, a large center console, and rear climate controls. The second-row captain’s chairs provided comfort, though they sat low in the cabin. The third row offered enough space for adults, with a high seating position and good visibility. The power liftgate revealed 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 85.1 cubic feet, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering access to Google Maps, Assistant, and the Play Store. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, along with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2025 Dodge Durango came with a Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a native navigation system. It included SiriusXM 360L, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The SRT Hellcat also offered SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics, adding a unique touch to its infotainment offerings.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with advanced driver assistance systems like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking included as standard. Higher trims offered additional features like Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a concerning performance in IIHS tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional upgrades like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.