2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Dodge Durango

The 2025 Dodge Durango ranged from about $43,000 for a base GT with a V6 engine and rear-wheel drive to nearly $100,000 for the SRT Hellcat with a supercharged V8 engine and all-wheel drive. The SRT Hellcat Premium with the Silver Bullet special edition package, featuring Triple Nickel paint, had an MSRP of $115,315, including the destination charge. The Silver Bullet edition added a satin black hood, unique wheels, dark badges, and black exhaust tips, enhancing the SRT Hellcat's visual appeal. Inside, the SRT Hellcat featured dark red premium Nappa leather seats, a suede headliner, and forged carbon fiber trim, though some plastic surfaces detracted from the premium feel.

Volkswagen offered the 2025 Atlas in five trim levels, with prices ranging from $38,200 to $53,205, excluding the destination charge. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, had an MSRP of $54,630. The Atlas boasted a chiseled, upscale appearance with polished aluminum detailing and 21-inch wheels. Inside, diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood created a warm environment. The infotainment system featured digital instrumentation and a large touchscreen, though touch-sensitive controls for temperature and volume were less satisfying.

The 2025 Dodge Durango offered a simplified lineup with three engine options: a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, and a 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the SRT Hellcat. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD standard on the R/T and SRT Hellcat. The SRT Hellcat's engine delivered 645 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph and a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. However, its fuel economy was poor, rated at 12/17/13 mpg. The Durango SRT Hellcat featured a full-time AWD system, adaptive damping suspension, and Brembo brakes, offering a track-ready performance.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas replaced its previous engines with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial skepticism, the engine proved refined and adequate for daily driving, with a 5,000-pound tow rating. The Atlas returned 15.5 mpg in city conditions and 19.2 mpg overall, slightly below EPA ratings. The ride quality was less impressive, with a brittle suspension and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, the Atlas handled predictably on mountain roads, with reliable brakes and steering.

The Dodge Durango excelled in form and function, offering roomy and comfortable seating. 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 provided good leg support, and the third row was accessible with ample space for adults. The Durango offered 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 85.1 cubic feet with seats folded.

The Volkswagen Atlas shone in form and function, with a comfortable third-row seat and cavernous cargo area. The SEL Premium R-Line's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, with excellent visibility. The second-row bench accommodated three adults comfortably, and the third-row seat provided adequate leg support. The Atlas offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 96.6 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2025 Dodge Durango featured a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a native navigation system. The SRT Hellcat included SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics. The Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality, though the voice recognition system required specificity.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used the MIB3 operating system with a 12-inch touchscreen. The lack of traditional controls made the system less user-friendly, and the native voice assistant was unreliable. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered a better experience, with a terrific Harman Kardon audio system. The MIB3 system had glitches, such as incorrect song displays and confusing navigation screens.

The Dodge Durango's safety features were basic, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It earned a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and had concerns in IIHS tests. The adaptive cruise control was overly cautious in curves.

The Volkswagen Atlas included IQ.Drive features like Front Assist, Lane Assist, and Travel Assist. It offered adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick." The IQ.Drive systems were accurate and trustworthy, with minimal false warnings.