2025 Porsche Cayenne vs 2026 Dodge Durango

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in two distinct styles: the standard SUV with a squared-off rear end and the sporty Cayenne Coupe. The trim levels ranged from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT, each featuring unique exterior elements. The GTS trim, in particular, stood out with high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a distinctive front fascia with larger air intakes. The GTS also boasted tinted headlights and red brake calipers visible through 21-inch anthracite gray wheels. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from color choices to trim and seat belts, allowing owners to create a unique cabin. Despite the high level of personalization, the Cayenne maintained a well-organized interior with mechanical controls for essential features, although the sliding center console was a minor drawback.

In contrast, the 2026 Dodge Durango retained its classic design, with chunky fenders and smooth body panels that continued to appeal to buyers. Despite its age, the Durango's style remained timeless, with a refresh in 2021 updating the grille, lighting, and bumpers. The America250 package introduced at the 2026 New York International Auto Show added unique touches like black leather seats with blue perforations and flag graphics. The interior, however, showed its age with older switch styles and cheaper plastic materials. Despite this, the Durango's analog controls were straightforward and functional, with a large touchscreen that integrated well into the dashboard. The Durango's interior was practical, but the materials and design lagged behind more modern competitors.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of delivering impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, while the Cayenne S boasted a V8 with 468 hp. The Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, delivered a staggering 650 hp. For those seeking peak performance, plug-in hybrid options offered up to 729 hp. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, produced 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. The Cayenne GTS excelled in handling, with precise steering and a low center of gravity, making it agile despite its 5,000-pound weight. The adaptive suspension and Pirelli P Zero tires further enhanced its performance, while the optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power. The Cayenne GTS seamlessly transitioned between sporty and comfortable driving modes, offering a versatile driving experience.

The 2026 Dodge Durango primarily featured V8 engines, with the 3.6-liter V6 available on base trims. The V6 produced 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but struggled to move the 5,000-pound Durango. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, available on GT and GT Plus models, offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving towing capacity. The SRT Hellcat, with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8, delivered 710 hp, while the 6.4-liter V8 on the R/T produced 475 hp. The Durango's eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD modes provided smooth performance, but the steering lacked precision. The Hellcat's handling was impressive, with minimal body roll, but the ride was stiff across all trims. The Durango's performance was characterized by its powerful engines and aggressive exhaust notes, appealing to those seeking a thrilling driving experience.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a customizable interior, with options for carbon fiber or aluminum trim, and a variety of seat adjustments. However, it lacked a third row, accommodating only five passengers. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, exceeding 7,700 pounds, but its cargo space was smaller than competitors, with 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 60 cubic feet with seats folded. The coupe version offered even less space, and the plug-in hybrid models further reduced cargo capacity.

The 2026 Dodge Durango provided seating for up to seven passengers, with captain's chairs available on certain trims. The third row was tight, but the first and second rows offered decent headroom and legroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Durango's interior was practical, but the materials and design were dated compared to newer models.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for additional media control. The Cayenne's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and voice control options. A head-up display and night-vision assist were available, along with multiple USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Dodge Durango came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering navigation, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The base GT trim had a basic six-speaker stereo, while higher trims featured a nine-speaker Alpine or a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Durango lacked advanced driver-assist features and rear-seat entertainment, but the Hellcat's infotainment system included performance functions like launch control.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. The Cayenne had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2026 Dodge Durango received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. It included standard blind-spot monitors and parking sensors, but advanced driver-assist features were limited. The Durango's dated body structure affected its crash performance compared to newer competitors.