2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Chevy Traverse

Buyers shopping for a family-friendly 3-row SUV are in good company. SUVs have officially eclipsed minivans as the preferred way to shuffle the whole family in style and comfort. Their popularity means this segment is unbelievably crowded with options from just about every automaker. This begs the question, how can a prospective buyer cut through the noise and find the best value in its class? The team at Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Willoughby is here to help. Let's look at how the 2025 Dodge Durango stacks up against one of its main competitors, the 2025 Chevy Traverse so you can be informed while browsing our inventory online before stopping by to meet with our helpful and informative sales team.

2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Chevy Traverse

Dodge has been synonymous with style and performance for decades, and the Durango is no exception. Its bold design, class-leading towing capacity, and available V-8 power positively thrill prospective buyers. Looking at the Traverse in comparison we can't help but feel it lacks the panache and charm of the Durango.

Performance

Horsepower is something no Dodge has ever lacked so it should come as no surprise the Durango comes standard with a best-in-class 295 horsepower. Buyers looking for a bit more oomph can opt for a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that pumps out 360 pulse-pounding horses! Being the maker of some of the most powerful road-going vehicles in existence Dodge didn't stop there. People who want a family hauler with the mighty beating heart of a muscle car can shell out for the SRT Hellcat trim level churning out an insane 710 tire shredding horsepower sure to shove all 7 passengers into their seats!

The abundance of powertrain choices available in the Durango means there is a trim level to suit any buyer's preferences. The Traverse on the other hand does not offer the same level of customization with only one available engine, a 2.5 liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 328 horsepower.

Buyers who think opting for the smaller displacement engine in the Traverse will lend greater efficiency will be disappointed. The Traverse is only good for 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, barely more than the Durango's 19 mpg and 26 mpg ratings and identical to the previous generation V6 Traverse. What's more, when tested the Chevy received negative marks for unpleasant engine noises during acceleration emanating from the 4-cylinder engine which was described as sounding like it's struggling, not exactly confidence-inspiring for anyone behind the wheel.

Safety Features

In today's tech-obsessed world, all manufacturers have made their products safer than ever with an abundance of available safety features designed to mitigate crashes. As a result, the Durango and Traverse are basically tied in this regard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist are standard equipment on both however Dodge takes it a step further with a class-exclusive trailer tow detection system. Designed to supplement the Durango's best-in-class towing capacity it has a much further reach and alerts the driver when other vehicles are in the path of the trailer instead of just the vehicle towing it. While the Traverse also has an impressive roster of safety equipment we can't help but wonder if the Chevy's throttle response, described in testing as lazy, could be a safety hazard while trying to merge onto the interstate or simply speeding up to change lanes.

Interior

A good family SUV needs to have a nice quiet cabin and be comfortable enough for long-distance road trips. This is an area where the Durango excels with a smooth ride that strikes just the right balance of comfort and athletic, in line with Dodge's mission to produce the most exciting vehicles on the road. Upon entry, drivers are welcomed by the thick-rimmed leather steering wheel giving a commanding feel for the road. Those that prefer to shift their own gears will be pleased to find the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel which snap off satisfyingly quick gear changes more akin to a sports cat than a 3-row SUV.

While the Traverse is a good-enough family SUV it lacks the character and refinement of the Durango. Drivers that enter the Chevy's cabin are greeted by hard and cheap-feeling plastic. Not quite the long-haul warrior as the Durango, it was pointed out during testing that the Traverse's steering is quite heavy and numb leading to driver fatigue.

Bottom Line

In an impossibly crowded segment, the 2025 Dodge Durango emerges as the most charismatic family SUV that makes its driver smile but has the practicality to match. An abundance of option packages and powertrain choices broaden its appeal as it can be equipped to match the preferences of any driver. The Chevy Traverse on the other hand is merely adequate. It has some admirable qualities but does not excel in any area making it second fiddle to the Dodge.

Take the 2025 Dodge Durango for a test drive!

Ready to experience the greatness of the Durango instead of just reading about it? Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Willoughby is your destination for the best family SUV in its class. Be sure and call our sales team to schedule a test drive. To see what we currently have in stock, you can view our inventory online.