2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The modernized look featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, making it more visually compatible with models like the Suburban and Silverado. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior of the Equinox was also revamped, with a focus on texture and space, including a relocated shifter and a larger infotainment screen integrated with the driver-information display.

The 2025 Dodge Durango, particularly in the SRT Hellcat Premium trim with the Silver Bullet special edition package, exuded a bold and aggressive presence. The exterior enhancements included a satin black hood, unique wheels, and dark badges, adding to its visual appeal. Inside, the Durango SRT Hellcat 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 the overall luxury. Despite its high price, the Durango offered a solid and comfortable interior, though it lacked some of the refinement expected at its price point.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox continued with its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied between 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive versions. The Equinox transitioned to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for FWD models and an eight-speed automatic for AWD, the latter providing smoother and quieter shifts. While the Equinox offered responsive acceleration at low speeds, it struggled during highway merges, highlighting the limitations of its small engine. The AWD-equipped Equinox could tow up to 1,500 pounds and featured selectable drive modes, enhancing its versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2025 Dodge Durango offered a range of powerful engines, with the SRT Hellcat boasting a 710-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8. This engine delivered 645 lb-ft of torque, enabling the Durango to accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph. The Durango's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds, making it a formidable choice for those needing power and utility. However, its 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 performance brakes, providing a thrilling driving experience reminiscent of a performance sedan.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a comfortable and practical interior, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on RS and ACTIV trims. The Evotex seats provided a premium feel, and the flat roof design ensured consistent headroom throughout the cabin. The moonroof extended light into the rear seats, enhancing the passenger experience. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded. A hidden storage compartment added utility, though overall cargo volume was small for the class.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in interior space and functionality. The SRT Hellcat Premium featured heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa leather, though they lacked secure support during spirited driving. The second-row captain’s chairs offered comfort and leg support, with ample legroom for taller passengers. The third-row seat provided sufficient space for adults, with a high seating position and thoughtful design. The Durango offered 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 85.1 cubic feet. The power liftgate and convenient storage solutions added to its practicality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing for seamless multitasking. However, the voice control system presented challenges, with volume issues in some test vehicles. The Equinox featured an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wi-fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard on RS and ACTIV trims, though no upgraded sound system was available.

The 2025 Dodge Durango featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and native navigation. The system included SiriusXM 360L, Dodge Connect, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The SRT Hellcat came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality. The Uconnect system supported dual-phone Bluetooth pairing and offered SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics. While the voice recognition system worked well, it required specific commands for optimal functionality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with most included as standard. The Chevy Safety Assist suite encompassed rear park assist, lane-change alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Safety & Technology package added rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, and a camera rearview mirror. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed and volume limits, providing peace of mind for families.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were less impressive, reflecting its older engineering. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional upgrades included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Durango received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a concerning three-star rollover resistance rating for AWD models. The IIHS noted issues in the small overlap frontal-impact test, highlighting areas for improvement.