2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Nissan Armada

The 2025 Dodge Durango was offered in a range of trims, starting from the base GT with a V6 engine and rear-wheel drive, priced around $43,000, to the high-performance SRT Hellcat with a supercharged V8 engine and all-wheel drive, nearing $100,000. The SRT Hellcat Premium model, enhanced with the Silver Bullet special edition package, featured Triple Nickel paint and additional visual upgrades like a satin black hood and dark badges, pushing its MSRP to $115,315. Inside, the SRT Hellcat maintained a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather seats and a suede headliner, though some plastic surfaces detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2025 Nissan Armada showcased a bold design with a high beltline and a prominent grille, reminiscent of its luxury sibling, the Infiniti QX80. The PRO-4X trim stood out with its skid plate and rugged features, while the new C-shaped LED lighting added a modern touch. From the side, the Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with distinctive design elements like the ARMADA-emblazoned accent strip. The interior of the Platinum Reserve and PRO-4X trims offered a premium feel, with leather seats and a luxurious cabin ambiance, especially in the Platinum Reserve's Chestnut with Rye theme. The Armada's design updates made it a striking presence on the road.

The 2025 Dodge Durango offered a streamlined lineup with three engine options: a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 for the GT, a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8 for the R/T, and a 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 for the SRT Hellcat. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the GT featuring standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, while the R/T and SRT Hellcat came with standard all-wheel drive. The SRT Hellcat's engine delivered 645 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph. Despite its impressive performance, the Durango SRT Hellcat had poor fuel economy, rated at 12/17/13 mpg in city/highway/combined driving. The SUV's handling was enhanced by a full-time AWD system, electronic limited-slip rear differential, and competition-tuned adaptive damping suspension, making it feel track-ready.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, inspired by the high-performance GT-R. The old seven-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a nine-speed automatic, and all trims except the PRO-4X offered rear-wheel drive or Nissan’s Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive. The PRO-4X trim featured exclusive off-road enhancements like an electronic locking rear differential and metal skid plates. The Armada's adaptive electronic air suspension, shared with the Platinum Reserve, provided a 33-degree approach angle and 9.6 inches of ground clearance. The Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds and offered eight selectable drive modes for various terrains. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering provided a nice sense of engagement, while off-road, the PRO-4X's suspension excelled in challenging conditions.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in form and function, offering a spacious and comfortable interior with thoughtful features. The SRT Hellcat Premium model had heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa leather, though the performance seats lacked 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, expandable to 43.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum volume of 85.1 cubic feet. The power liftgate and convenient storage solutions added to its practicality.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad. The Platinum Reserve trim offered "Zero Gravity" seats, which were comfortable but felt deep. The Armada's interior was versatile, with standard eight-way driver's-side power adjustment and optional captain’s chairs in the second row. Cargo volume increased across the board, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 behind the second, and 97.1 in total. The Armada's headroom and legroom adjustments improved passenger comfort, though it still fell short compared to some American rivals.

The 2025 Dodge Durango came equipped 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 included SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Dodge Connect, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The SRT Hellcat model boasted a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the audio experience. The SRT Performance Pages allowed drivers to track performance metrics, adding a sporty touch to the family-friendly SUV.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured two large screens, with 12.3-inch displays on the SV and SL trims and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. The SL trim added a wireless charging pad and Google Built-In, allowing Google Maps to be viewed on the driver-information display. A head-up display was optional, and the SL trim and above featured a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System. The Armada's infotainment system offered a modern and connected experience.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with standard 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, and front parking sensors. The Durango received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a three-star rollover resistance rating for AWD models. The IIHS's small overlap frontal-impact test raised concerns about its safety performance.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came standard with Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering assistance. Higher trims featured ProPILOT Assist 1.1 and 2.1, with hands-free highway-driving assist technology. The Armada also included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. The surround-view camera and 3D Around View Monitor enhanced visibility, making the Armada a safe and technologically advanced choice.