Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Helena
3377 E US Highway 12
Helena, MT 59601

Compare the2026 Dodge Durango SRTVS 2025 Audi SQ5

2026 Dodge Durango SRT
2025 Audi SQ5

Safety

The Dodge Durango SRT has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The SQ5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango SRT and the SQ5 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, 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.

The Dodge Durango SRT weighs 1287 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Durango SRT is safer than the Audi SQ5:

Durango SRT

SQ5

Front Seat

STARS

5 Stars

5 Stars

HIC

46

60

Hip Force

236 lbs.

279 lbs.

Rear Seat

STARS

5 Stars

5 Stars

HIC

50

185

Spine Acceleration

34 G’s

53 G’s

Hip Force

446 lbs.

817 lbs.

Into Pole

STARS

5 Stars

5 Stars

Max Damage Depth

14 inches

15 inches

HIC

194

219

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Durango SRT 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the SQ5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the SQ5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango SRT’s warranty.

Reliability

The Dodge Durango SRT’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the SQ5’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Durango SRT has a standard 700-amp battery. The SQ5’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in initial quality. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Durango SRT’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 361 more horsepower (710 vs. 349) and 276 lbs.-ft. more torque (645 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Durango SRT is faster than the Audi SQ5:

Durango SRT

SQ5

Zero to 60 MPH

3.4 sec

5 sec

Quarter Mile

11.7 sec

13.5 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

117.3 MPH

101.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango SRT’s fuel efficiency. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango SRT has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (24.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Durango SRT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

Durango SRT

SQ5

Front Rotors

15.7 inches

13.8 inches

Rear Rotors

13.8 inches

13 inches

The Durango SRT stops shorter than the SQ5:

Durango SRT

SQ5

60 to 0 MPH

104 feet

112 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Durango SRT has larger tires than the SQ5 (295/45R20 vs. 255/45R20).

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Durango SRT’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the SQ5 (119.8 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Durango SRT is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The Durango SRT Hellcat handles at .90 G’s, while the SQ5 Prestige pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Durango SRT Hellcat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the SQ5 Prestige (25 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

Chassis

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Durango SRT has standard seating for 7 passengers; the SQ5 can only carry 5.

The Durango SRT has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5.

Cargo Capacity

The Durango SRT’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ5.

Durango SRT

SQ5

Third Seat Folded

43.3 cubic feet

n/a

Third Seat Removed

n/a

25.9 cubic feet

Second Seat Folded

85.1 cubic feet

54.1 cubic feet

The Durango SRT’s cargo area is larger than the SQ5’s in almost every dimension:

Durango SRT

SQ5

Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)

20”/50”/83”

n.a./36.5”/68”

Max Width

49”

50”

Min Width

42.5”

40.3”

Height

36”

30.5”

Towing

The Durango SRT’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5’s (8700 vs. 4400 pounds).

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Durango SRT’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5.

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 SQ5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Durango SRT has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the SQ5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Dodge Durango SRT has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the SQ5.

Compared to traditional radio, the Dodge Durango SRT’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the SQ5.

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Dodge Durango outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 7% during 2024.

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