2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out in a dwindling field of wagons in the U.S., embracing crossover trends with its rugged design elements like chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-inspired fascias. Its Crimson Red Pearl paint paired beautifully with a black leather interior, though earthy tones were deemed more fitting. Subaru's focus on off-road capabilities paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers. The 2025 model saw no major changes, but the Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof and a 360-degree heated steering wheel. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather and ventilated seats, maintaining a balance of ruggedness and interior sophistication.

The 2025 Dodge Durango, particularly in the SRT Hellcat Premium trim with the Silver Bullet special edition, exuded a bold presence with its satin black hood and dark accents. The Triple Nickel paint added to its visual appeal, catering to those seeking an expressive look. Inside, the Durango maintained a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather and carbon fiber trim. Despite its solid construction, some plastic surfaces felt out of place at its price point. The Durango's design aimed to blend performance with comfort, though it leaned more towards the former.

The Subaru Outback featured a Boxer engine in two forms: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 260 hp. Both engines used a CVT and standard AWD. The turbocharged version offered better acceleration, making it a recommended upgrade. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode for traction, the Outback was well-suited for off-road adventures. The Wilderness model increased ground clearance to 9.5 inches. On-road, the Outback provided a smooth ride with light steering and powerful brakes, though its stop/start technology and CVT had minor drawbacks.

The Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, from a 295-hp V6 in the GT to a 710-hp supercharged V8 in the SRT Hellcat. The Hellcat's engine delivered 645 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and towing up to 8,700 pounds. Despite its power, fuel economy was poor, with an EPA rating of 12/17/13 mpg. The Durango's AWD system, adaptive suspension, and performance brakes ensured impressive handling. It felt firm yet responsive, with a supercharger whine and exhaust bellow adding to its character. The Durango excelled in performance, rivaling sportier alternatives.

The Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality with easy entry and a lower roof for loading. It provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with seats up, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet. Passenger space was generous, with 109 cubic feet of total volume. The Outback's towing capacity increased to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine. Different trims offered varied driving experiences, making test drives essential for buyers.

The Dodge Durango excelled in space and comfort, with heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided good leg support, though they sat low. The third row was accessible and spacious for adults. The Durango offered 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 85.1 cubic feet. Features like rear climate controls and multiple charging ports added convenience. The power liftgate and thoughtful interior design enhanced its functionality.

The Subaru Outback's 11.6-inch touchscreen was bright but slow to respond, especially at startup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with a Harman Kardon audio system providing quality sound. The dashboard had a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, appealing to less tech-savvy buyers. A CD player and USB ports catered to older tech preferences.

The Dodge Durango featured a Uconnect 5 system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system supported dual-phone pairing and offered SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics. Voice recognition worked well, though it required specificity. The Durango's tech package was comprehensive, enhancing its appeal.

The Subaru Outback included EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. While effective, the system had some side-to-side movement. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The Dodge Durango's safety features were basic, with forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Safety ratings were less impressive, with a four-star NHTSA rating and concerns in IIHS tests. The Durango's safety tech was functional but dated.