Compare the2026 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2026 BMW M5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Dodge Durango SRT are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Durango SRT has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The M5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango SRT and the M5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango SRT’s warranty.

The Dodge Durango SRT’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the M5’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The M5’s redline is at 7200 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Durango SRT has a 6200 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in initial quality. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Durango SRT Hellcat gets better fuel mileage than the M5 Touring running its gasoline engine (12 city/17 hwy vs. 11 city/17 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango SRT’s fuel efficiency. The M5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango SRT has 8.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the M5 (24.6 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Durango SRT stops shorter than the M5:

For better traction, the Durango SRT has larger tires than the M5 (295/45R20 vs. 285/40R20).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Durango SRT can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Durango SRT has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the M5; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Durango SRT has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The M5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango SRT’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the M5 (119.8 inches vs. 118.3 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Durango SRT has a 2.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the M5 (7.8 vs. 5 inches), allowing the Durango SRT to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Durango SRT uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The M5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Durango SRT has standard seating for 7 passengers; the M5 can only carry 5.

The Durango SRT has 43.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M5 (141.4 vs. 98).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Durango SRT’s middle row seats recline. The M5’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the M5 Touring.

The Durango SRT’s cargo area is larger than the M5’s in every dimension:

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Durango SRT uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The M5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Durango SRT’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 M5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Durango SRT has standard extendable sun visors. The M5 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Durango SRT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The M5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Dodge Durango outsold the BMW 5 Series by almost four to one during 2024.