2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, creating an imposing front end. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the new styling elements appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights available on higher trims. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Q5's interior was detailed and distinctive, with top-notch materials, though the design was somewhat discordant. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a sportier interior option, albeit with some design drawbacks.

The 2025 Dodge Durango, particularly in the SRT Hellcat Premium trim with the Silver Bullet special edition package, exuded a more aggressive visual attitude. The special edition added a satin black hood, unique wheels, dark badges, and black exhaust tips, enhancing the SRT Hellcat's expressive look. Inside, the SRT Hellcat maintained a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather seat faces contrasting with a predominantly black cabin. The Premium Package included a suede headliner, a leather and suede steering wheel wrap, and forged carbon fiber trim. While the Durango felt solidly constructed, some plastic surfaces detracted from the overall premium feel. The SRT Hellcat's interior was designed for comfort, with heated and ventilated front seats, a large center console, and thoughtful features like rear climate controls and USB charging ports. The third-row seat offered ample room for adults, and the cargo space was generous, with a maximum volume of 85.1 cubic feet.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's performance was competitive within its segment, offering slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched the output of a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both the Q5 and SQ5 experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, detracting from their sporty feel. The air suspension with adaptive damping, standard on the SQ5, provided capable handling but didn't encourage aggressive driving. The Q5 also offered Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Dodge Durango streamlined its powertrain offerings, with the GT featuring a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, the R/T a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, and the SRT Hellcat a 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8. The SRT Hellcat's engine delivered 645 pound-feet of torque, with Dodge claiming a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. The Durango's towing capacity reached up to 8,700 pounds. Despite its power, the SRT Hellcat's fuel economy was poor, with an EPA rating of 12/17/13 mpg. The Durango's full-time AWD system, electronic limited-slip rear differential, and competition-tuned adaptive damping suspension contributed to its impressive performance. The SRT Hellcat drove like a taller Charger, with firm road manners, creamy steering response, and immediate braking capability. It excelled on challenging roads, offering outstanding grip and body motion control, making it feel track-ready despite its size and configuration.

The 2025 Audi Q5 retained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, surpassing some rivals like the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5's towing capacity reached 4,400 pounds, exceeding some competitors.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in form and function, offering a roomy and comfortable interior with thoughtful features. The SRT Hellcat Premium trim included heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa leather, though the performance seats prioritized comfort over secure support during spirited driving. The second-row captain's chairs provided good leg support, and the third-row seat offered ample room for adults. The Durango's cargo space was generous, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum volume of 85.1 cubic feet. The power liftgate and convenient storage solutions added to its practicality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Premium Plus trim added USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly interface. A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while an available head-up display provided essential information. The Q5 also included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

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. The system supported dual-phone Bluetooth pairing, Alexa compatibility, and wireless smartphone charging. The SRT Hellcat included an Alpine premium sound system, with an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Uconnect system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition required specificity. The SRT Hellcat also featured SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics, adding a unique touch to the family-friendly SUV.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were less impressive, with a short list of standard features including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and front parking sensors. The NHTSA awarded the Durango a four-star overall rating, with a three-star rollover resistance rating for AWD models. The IIHS's small overlap frontal-impact test results were concerning, and the Durango had not been assessed in newer evaluations.