Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Dodge Durango VS 2016 Mercedes GLE-Class Near Phoenix, AZ

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 3 points, IIHS rates the Forward Collision Warning with Mitigation optional in the Durango as “Advanced.” The GLE-Class scores only 1 point and is rated only “Basic.”

To help make backing safer, the Durango Limited/Citadel/R/T’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The GLE-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Durango and the GLE-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Durango’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and 50,000 miles longer than the GLE-Class’ (5/100,000 vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 9 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Durango gets better fuel mileage than the GLE350:

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The GLE-Class doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Dodge Durango uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The GLE-Class requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Durango stops much shorter than the GLE-Class:

For better traction, the Durango has larger tires than the GLE-Class (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the GLE-Class (119.8 inches vs. 114.8 inches).

The Durango R/T handles at .79 G’s, while the GLE550e 4MATIC pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Durango R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the GLE550e 4MATIC (27.9 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.8 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Durango’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the GLE-Class’ (37.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Durango has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE-Class (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Durango to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango has standard seating for 7 passengers; the GLE-Class can only carry 5.

The Durango has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the GLE-Class.

The Durango’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLE-Class.

The Durango Limited/Citadel/R/T has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GLE-Class doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Durango’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GLE-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Durango has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE-Class only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Dodge Durango has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

 The Durango is ranked first in its class and received the 2015 “Total Quality Award.” The GLE-Class is not ranked.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Mercedes M-Class/GLE by 37% during the 2015 model year.