Dodge Durango vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which 2025 SUV Offers Superior Towing Power?

When shopping for a new SUV, towing capacity often becomes a decisive factor for families and adventure enthusiasts alike. The 2025 lineup brings two outstanding contenders from the same automotive family that excel in this department: the muscular Dodge Durango and the refined Jeep Grand Cherokee. Both vehicles offer impressive capabilities, but they serve different towing needs depending on what you're hauling.

With best-in-class towing capacities in their respective segments, these 2025 models demonstrate why they remain top choices for buyers who need to tow recreational equipment, boats, or trailers. Whether you're hauling a fishing boat to the lake or taking a travel trailer on a cross-country journey, understanding how these two SUVs compare can help you make the right choice for your lifestyle needs.

Durango's Dominant Towing Credentials

The 2025 Dodge Durango continues its reign as the towing champion in the standard SUV segment, offering an exceptional maximum towing capacity of 3,946 kg (8,700 pounds). This best-in-class capability ensures you can confidently tow nearly anything a family might need, from large boats to horse trailers or campers.

This impressive towing prowess comes courtesy of the Durango's powerful engine lineup. The SRT Hellcat leads the charge with its supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI Hellcat V8, generating a staggering 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking balance, the R/T model features the tried-and-true 5.7-litre HEMI V8 producing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Even the base GT model with its 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 delivers capable towing performance.

The Durango R/T AWD with the Tow N Go Package maximizes this capability while adding performance enhancements like Track, Sport, Snow and Tow drive modes. The package includes an electronic limited slip differential and SRT active damping suspension that help maintain stability while towing heavy loads, along with a specially tuned SRT performance exhaust that produces that unmistakable Dodge rumble.

Grand Cherokee's Capable Hauling

The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee brings its own impressive towing credentials to the table with a maximum capacity of 2,812 kg (6,200 pounds) when equipped with the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine. While not matching the Durango's maximum rating, this capacity still leads its class and satisfies the needs of most recreational towers.

What sets the Grand Cherokee apart is how it combines this towing capability with legendary off-road prowess. With three available 4x4 systems—Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II with rear electronic limited slip differential—the Grand Cherokee can tow your gear through challenging terrain that might stop other SUVs.

The class-exclusive Quadra-Lift air suspension provides additional benefits when towing by automatically adjusting to maintain level ride height regardless of load. The system delivers up to 27.7 centimetres (10.9 inches) of ground clearance when needed and can lower the vehicle for easier loading or improved aerodynamics on the highway—especially valuable when towing.

Real-World Towing Applications

Understanding these numbers in practical terms helps clarify which SUV might better suit your needs. The Durango's 3,946 kg (8,700 pounds) capacity means you can tow larger camping trailers (including many fifth wheels), boats up to 8 metres (26 feet), or multiple ATVs on a tandem trailer without approaching its limits.

The Grand Cherokee's 2,812 kg (6,200 pounds) capacity comfortably handles most fishing boats, smaller camping trailers up to about 6 metres (20 feet), single-car trailers, or a pair of personal watercraft. For many families, this represents more than enough capacity for weekend adventures and holiday trips.

Both vehicles include thoughtful towing features like Trailer Sway Control as standard equipment, while the Durango offers a Blind-spot Monitoring system with Trailer Tow Detection that adjusts to account for the length of your trailer. The Grand Cherokee's available Selec-Terrain traction management system includes specific settings that optimize performance when towing through different surface conditions.

Choosing Your Ultimate Towing SUV

When deciding between these two capable haulers, consider how their distinct approaches to towing match your priorities. The Durango emphasizes raw power and maximum capacity, making it ideal for those with larger trailers or boats. Its three-row seating configuration also provides more interior flexibility for passengers and cargo.

The Grand Cherokee balances its solid towing capability with greater emphasis on off-road performance and premium comfort. If your towing adventures frequently take you off the beaten path or you value a more luxurious interior experience, the Grand Cherokee deserves serious consideration.

Both vehicles deliver exceptional value through their combination of towing capability, daily driving comfort, and advanced technology features. Your decision ultimately comes down to which balance of attributes best supports your lifestyle and towing requirements.

Tow More, Worry Less

Ready to experience the confidence that comes with class-leading towing capacity? Visit Belleville Chrysler today to test drive the 2025 Dodge Durango or Jeep Grand Cherokee and discover which of these powerful SUVs will best handle your towing demands. Our team can demonstrate the towing technologies that make these vehicles stand out and help you configure the perfect SUV for your hauling needs.