Which would you buy: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or Dodge Durango SRT

"LJ909" (lj909) 09/20/2017 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

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Both can haul families as well as haul ass and are so close in spec and under the skin they might as well be the same vehicle. Which would you guys choose? Lets take a look at them.

Fully loaded on both, just $4110 separates the price tags of the Grand Cherokee SRT, topping out at $78,070 and the Durango at $73,960. Thats pretty close. Both share the 6.4 475 Hemi as well

As I stated above, a fully loaded GC SRT tops out at nearly 80 grand. Keep in mind this isn’t the Trackhawk either which is $8,925 bucks more than the “regular” SRT. With $9580 bucks in options that include nearly 2 grand for an audio system and $1300 for high performance brakes. Some might say this is a lot of a Jeep, but it still undercuts many other luxury performance SUV options, namely Range Rovers SVR and Mercedes GLE AMG.

The Durango SRT is in a sense the more family orientated of the 2 because its availability of a 3rd row. Dodge has also seem to be marketing it as more of a dad family hauler more than anything, something to appease people still mourning over the loss of the Magnum. Fully loaded at just under 74 grand, its a big pill to swallow for a Durango, even though it is an SRT. That price includes things like a rear DVD system, $1500 for what I think is a pretty bogus SRT Interior Appearance Group that only consists of stitching on the dash, a moon roof and performance seats. With its 3rd row, the Durango really has no competition. But without it, its still in the same arena of higher priced performance SUV’s that the GC SRT runs with.

So which would you guys choose? Personally I would take the GC SRT. I think its been premium enough for a while now, especially the last few years, to command the price tag its asking. This is a new price range for both the Durango and Dodge. When I say that I mean that its still a new arena for them with the Hellcats and Demon. Before them only the Viper was on the higher end. Even loaded SRT Challengers and Chargers never reached 60 grand with options. I would pass mostly because of the depreciation hit it might take on.

Jcarr > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:38

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Durango, but only if it came with a 100-year/10,000,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:44

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Cherokee. I have a soft spot for the 5.9 Limited ZJ and the 4.7HO WJs.

LJ909 > Jcarr 09/20/2017 at 16:46

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They arent that unreliable...are they?

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:47

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Can’t you get the third row in the GC? Or is it just not available on the SRT? If it’s not, then I gotta go Durango because: kidhauler. But I definitely prefer the GC over the Durango in general terms.

Jcarr > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:50

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Eh, not taking my chances with FCA.

benjrblant > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:51

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For that money, I’d get an X5 xDrive35D.

Not that anyone asked.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:52

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Cherokee, because hellcat engine even tho it cost $8000 more

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 16:54

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Durango hands down. It better looking, and why not have seating for 7 or 8 instead of 5? Or just more cargo space.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/20/2017 at 16:55

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The GC is short and a 3rd row is not Available

LJ909 > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 09/20/2017 at 16:55

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Nah the 3rd row isnt an option on the GC. The 3rd row is a big thing on the Durango though for Dodge like I mentioned. It allows marketing to push the fastest 7 seater on the planet along with the family thing as well.

LJ909 > Jcarr 09/20/2017 at 16:55

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The Hemis are pretty bulletproof though.

LJ909 > benjrblant 09/20/2017 at 16:56

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BMW repair costs and quality are shit though.

LJ909 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/20/2017 at 16:57

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Yea its the more butch looking of the 2. The GC, since the beginning of the decade redesign, has always come across as something a higher income Republican housewife would drive because her friend in the book club has an X5 and she wanted something different and American but just as luxurious.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 17:00

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Well Durango it is for me then. Gotta have room for those kiddos, lol.

benjrblant > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 17:03

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There’s something ironic about comparing repair costs between two $70k luxury performance SUV’s but I can’t quite place it.

Nothing > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 17:04

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We’ve got 1 kid and like our GC. The face of the Durango is more aggressive, but the rear dissolved into some kind of minivan-esque blob. I like them both, I’d take the GC.

LJ909 > benjrblant 09/20/2017 at 17:07

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The fact that the BMW might be just as unreliable as the FCA products, or that the FCA products might be just as reliable as the BMW?

benjrblant > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 17:10

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All of the above.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > benjrblant 09/20/2017 at 17:14

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Ooh Ooh! Is it that, at that price bracket, no one is going to be burdened by running costs?

Takuro Spirit > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 17:36

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Except for MDS lifters, but the 6.4 ain’t got em. The electrics though.....

Takuro Spirit > Jcarr 09/20/2017 at 17:37

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The kind of people to buy Hi-Po SUVs don’t tend to keep them that long. They keep them until the next best Hi-Po vehicle is on the market.

LJ909 > Takuro Spirit 09/20/2017 at 17:39

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On certain models, like the Challenger SRT 392, if you want an auto, it comes equipped with a 6.4 with MDS for some reason.

Saracen > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:13

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Because FCA build quality is so great for a $80k vehicle.

The Durango and JGC will cost twice as much for fuel, tires and brakes, so it’s a wash.

for Michigan > benjrblant 09/20/2017 at 18:15

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Someone made a conscious decision to put those fog lights where they are. Then multiple other someones agreed that it was the right spot.

for Michigan > Takuro Spirit 09/20/2017 at 18:18

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Speaking of electrics, my uncle has a 14 GC and the center stack went dead on him. Touch screen still works, but none of the HVAC controls or other physical controls function anymore. On a 3-year-old truck.

This is why FCA products scare me.

LJ909 > Saracen 09/20/2017 at 18:27

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This is true. And from what Ive read, GC SRT brake jobs can cost upwards of over $500 per axle.

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:31

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Neither.

shop-teacher > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:34

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Tahoe RST. It may be slower, but it’s plenty fast for me, looks better IMO, and will be more reliable/last longer.

LJ909 > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop 09/20/2017 at 18:36

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Tesla Model X is shit though.

LJ909 > shop-teacher 09/20/2017 at 18:37

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And will be rarer too. Im with you on this one. I doubt you will be able to even find these at dealers.

Rico > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:37

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At least with BMW their cars aren’t boring to drive!

Rico > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:37

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Ay papa!

LJ909 > Rico 09/20/2017 at 18:38

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Depends on the model. Most though are so disconnected driving wise now because of all the tech they dont even deserve the Ultimate Driving Machine tagline.

shop-teacher > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:38

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I didn’t realize they were limiting the production run on them. That’s too bad. That makes my odds of affording a used one someday a lot worse.

Rico > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:40

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True!

LJ909 > shop-teacher 09/20/2017 at 18:42

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I didnt know they were liming production.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > shop-teacher 09/20/2017 at 18:56

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I’ve never even heard of those.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Takuro Spirit 09/20/2017 at 18:58

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6.4's do have MDS, the manual Challengers don’t though.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 18:59

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Super tough choice, both are a blast. The Durango is way more fun than it deserves to be, and the GC is just such a perfect vehicle.

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 19:00

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but P100D

LJ909 > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop 09/20/2017 at 19:03

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Yea but I would be more mad when my son cant get out because of the fucked up gullwing doors, or looking down at ill fitting dash pieces.

LJ909 > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 09/20/2017 at 19:04

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The Durango is a no brainer if you have a family.

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 19:13

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immense panel gaps < faster than a Bentayga

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 19:19

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The Durango, that third row always comes in handy for our family

shop-teacher > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 09/20/2017 at 19:20

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They’re pretty sweet. They have the 6.2 liter motor. I don’t think they’re actually out yet, but they’re coming.

shop-teacher > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 19:22

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Oh, I thought you were telling me they were limiting it. Maybe they’ll sell well ... maybe :)

The Compromiser > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 20:16

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Have a Derangeo. With kids, the length and 3rd row is the way to go.

Since I have that covered, I’d go with the Hot Rod!

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > LJ909 09/20/2017 at 20:51

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Red GC SRT. I don’t need the third row and I like the way the jeep looks over the dodge

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > shop-teacher 09/20/2017 at 20:53

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I would pick this over any SRT. I hope it comes with third row delete to make it perfect.

CRider > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop 09/20/2017 at 21:50

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A Tesla Model X P100D is $140,000 without options. For that much you could buy a Dodge Viper AND a Charger SRT 392.  

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > CRider 09/20/2017 at 21:52

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Hey, if you can afford to spend $80,000 on the SRT, you could afford to spend $70,000 more

CRider > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop 09/20/2017 at 22:30

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I don’t think that’s how money works.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > LJ909 09/21/2017 at 02:10

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GC as it’s more understated and frankly, the Dodge taillights only attract attention of the police (even as they look super cool). The GC has been here longer, so there might be a smaller chance of shit fucking up prematurely.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > LJ909 09/21/2017 at 10:31

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I guess it depends on how big your family is. I’ve taken one for a long weekend with my wife and 2 friends, plenty of room for everything. Durango is great for a snowboard weekend with a couple of coolers, luggage and 3-4 people though also. It’s a tough choice.