Compare the 2025 Subaru Ascent to the 2025 Dodge Durango in Shingle Springs, CA
At Shingle Springs Subaru, we understand that families need more than just a spacious SUV—they need a reliable partner for every journey. That’s where the 2025 Subaru Ascent comes in. With standard all-wheel drive, an impressive list of safety features, and three-row versatility, the Ascent is built for adventurous families who don’t want to compromise. Meanwhile, one of its biggest competitors, the 2025 Dodge Durango, offers strong towing capacity and bold styling, appealing to drivers looking for muscle alongside utility. While the Ascent can seat up to 8 passengers, the Durango is only a 7-seater SUV, but both are equipped to handle road trips, errands, and weekend getaways with ease. While the Durango leans toward power and rear-wheel-drive dynamics, the Ascent emphasizes balanced performance, safety, and all-weather confidence—an ideal combination for Northern California’s diverse terrain. In this comparison, we’ll explore how the Ascent and Durango differ in design, interior comfort, technology, performance, and safety, giving you a clear view of what best suits your lifestyle. Whether you're headed out on a weekend excursion or just navigating the school drop-off line, each vehicle brings something unique to the table. Let’s take a closer look at how these two SUVs stack up and why the 2025 Subaru Ascent continues to be a favorite among Shingle Springs families and adventure-seekers alike.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Dodge Durango: Design & Exterior Features
The 2025 Ascent stands out with a refined yet rugged design built for real-world versatility. Its bold front grille, durable body cladding, and standard roof rails make it adventure-ready right from the start. Steering-responsive LED headlights—standard on every Ascent—don’t just look sharp; they actively follow the curve of the road to improve visibility at night, offering a smart safety advantage that typical LED headlights just can’t match. With available 20-inch alloy wheels and a clean, modern profile, the Ascent blends capability and polish in a way that fits both mountain roads and downtown parking lots with ease. The 2025 Durango, on the other hand, leans into a more traditional SUV look with blocky proportions, a broad front fascia, and available dual exhaust tips on certain trims. While it features basic LED headlights and a choice of bold color options, its overall exterior design prioritizes muscle over modern utility. For drivers who value both form and function, the Ascent delivers a smarter, more purposeful design.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Dodge Durango: Comfort & Technology
The 2025 Ascent and 2025 Durango both offer heated front seats as standard across all trim models, with options to upgrade to Nappa leather upholstery and second-row heated seating on select trims. The Ascent edges out the win in passenger volume with 153.2 cu-ft, while the Durango offers 141.4 cu-ft of passenger volume. Both have ample cargo space, and while the Ascent can seat 7 or 8 passengers, the Durango can only seat 7. The 2025 Ascent and the 2025 Durango come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity, but only the Subaru Ascent comes with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, whereas the Durango provides a 10.1-inch touchscreen display.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Dodge Durango: Performance
The 2025 Ascent comes standard with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a turbocharged 2.4-liter BOXER® engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It offers confident handling in snow, rain, or on dirt roads—a perfect fit for the adventurous spirit. The 2025 Durango comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, which produces 296 horsepower but only 260 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Ascent to pull ahead in powerful efficiency. While the Durango delivers strength, the Ascent balances efficiency with capability, offering up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and impressive fuel economy for its size. The Ascent also offers XMODE® and Active Torque Vectoring, features that are unavailable on the Durango. For drivers seeking all-weather versatility and a smooth, composed ride, the Ascent continues to impress.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Dodge Durango: Safety
Safety is a top priority in the 2025 Ascent. Every model comes standard with Subaru EyeSight®, which includes features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are widely available across the lineup. The 2025 Dodge Durango includes a suite of available driver-assist features as well, such as Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning, though many of these are added through optional packages. The NHTSA gave the Ascent an overall 5-star safety rating while the Durango only got 4 stars. That, combined with Subaru's long-standing reputation for safety and crash performance, gives Ascent drivers added peace of mind. It’s designed to protect not just the driver but every passenger onboard, making it an ideal choice for family travel in and around Shingle Springs.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Dodge Durango: Overall Value
Both the 2025 Subaru Ascent and the 2025 Dodge Durango bring impressive features to the table, from strong performance to tech-rich interiors. The Durango appeals to those looking for brawny towing strength and bold design, especially in V8-equipped trims. However, the Subaru Ascent shines for families who prioritize all-weather capability, standard safety, and everyday usability. With a lower starting price, excellent fuel economy, and a well-rounded standard feature set, the Ascent delivers outstanding value. At Shingle Springs Subaru, we’re proud to offer the 2025 Ascent as a dependable, versatile SUV that’s built to support your family's adventures—whether you're off on a roadside adventure or just enjoying the scenic drive home. Stop by for a test drive and experience why the Subaru Ascent is so well-loved by local drivers.
|
2025 Subaru Ascent | 2025 Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine | 2.4-Liter Turbocharged BOXER® | 3.6-Liter V6 |
| Standard Horsepower | 260 | 295 |
| Standard Torque (lb-ft) | 277 | 260 |
| All-Wheel Drive | Standard | Available |
| Standard Fuel Economy (MPG) | 20 City/26 Highway | 19 City/25 Highway |
| Passenger Volume (Cubic Feet) | 153.2 | 141.0 |
| Max Cargo Volume (Cubic Feet) | 75.6 | 85.1 |
| Standard Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Standard |
| Standard Multimedia Touchscreen Size | 11.6 Inches | 10.1 Inches |