Overview & Reviews

Though the Dodge Durango has long been classified as a midsize sport-utility vehicle, its designers actually made it a half-size larger in order to fill the niche between the midsize and full-size SUV classes. As such, the Durango is often just the right size for those folks who need more interior room and towing capability than a typical midsize SUV can deliver, while not being as bulky and hard to park as a full-sizer.

The first two generations of the Durango were truck-based SUVs in the traditional style. A used model from this period should be a fair choice, though in the later part of the 2000s, the Durango was outclassed by newer crossover SUV competitors. The third-generation Durango, however, has joined the crossover club. It still offers V8 power and stout towing capabilities, but is a much nicer and well-rounded vehicle overall.

Current Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is a large crossover SUV that seats seven passengers, though buyers can opt for second-row captain's chairs that lower capacity to six. Four trim levels are offered: well-equipped SXT, midlevel Limited, sporty R/T and plush Citadel.

Both V6 and V8 power are offered. The 3.6-liter V6 has respectable muscle -- 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Standard on the R/T and optional on the Limited and Citadel is a 5.7-liter V8 good for 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. One may also choose among rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive (V6 only) and four-wheel drive with added low-range gearing (V8 only).

In reviews, we've found the Durango confident in terms of handling while still providing a composed and comfortable ride over bumps and ruts. Performance is adequate with the V6, while the V8 provides fairly strong acceleration and added grunt, which would be an asset for those who plan on towing.

Inside, the Durango offers an attractive and upscale design, with class-competitive quality and features, including an 8.4-inch touchscreen display (standard on all but SXT) and an available rear-seat Blu-ray player. The second and third rows offer enough room for most families (the rearmost row can even comfortably sit 6-foot adults), though its seven-passenger max falls one person short of its GM and Toyota rivals. Even so, the Durango comes highly recommended as a choice for a midsize or large crossover SUV.

Used Dodge Durango Models
Revived for 2011 after a one-year hiatus, the current-generation Dodge Durango boasts a full redesign with major improvements in several key areas. A carlike unibody (as opposed to body-on-frame) design notably improved interior space and ride/handling dynamics compared to its forebears. The exterior styling traded the former trucklike look for a more upscale persona, while the cabin followed suit with big improvements in fit and finish. Both the V6 and V8 came with a five-speed automatic. The following year brought a six-speed automatic transmission for V8 models, available second-row captain's chairs and revised trim levels.

Potential buyers should note that these Durangos lack the current version's eight-speed automatic transmission, refreshed styling and updated cabin that offers additional upscale features, including an 8.4-inch touchscreen display and a rear-seat Blu-ray player.

The second-generation Durango was produced from 2004-'09. It was first offered in ST, midgrade SLT and Limited trim levels and it came with one of three engines: a 210-hp V6, a 230-hp 4.7-liter V8 or a 330-hp 5.7-liter V8. These were offered with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. Alternatively, a single-speed transfer case could be specified on select 4WD models, which essentially meant that you could get a Durango with all-wheel drive. All Durangos came with automatic transmissions as standard -- four speeds for the V6, five for the V8s.

For 2008, the V8 engines were given a welcome nudge in power. The 4.7-liter now produced 303 hp and was more fuel efficient as well, while the Hemi produced 376 horses. In an interesting side story, the Durango Limited HEV hybrid was produced briefly for 2009. It was a so-called "two-mode" hybrid featuring a Hemi V8 (345 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque), two electric motors (87 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque) and a dual-mode transmission with variable ratios.

There were other changes during this Durango's life. Side airbags and refreshed styling arrived for 2006 and the ST trim level was renamed SXT. Two years later, new options such as a back-up camera, a CD/MP3 player, DVD-compatible audio and a MyGIG multimedia infotainment system with a hard drive to store digital music files made the Durango more competitive in an increasingly high-tech market. An Adventurer trim level also debuted, slotting between the SXT and Limited.

In our tests, we found the second-generation Durango handled adequately for a traditional body-on-frame SUV, though car-based crossover SUVs of the time were noticeably superior at providing carlike driving dynamics. Interior quality was a couple notches below what we've come to expect from family-friendly utility vehicles, and its interior space was inferior to bigger truck-based SUVs and large crossovers. Given the Durango's mass, the V8s are preferable for towing and acceleration, but fuel economy was poor no matter what engine you picked. As such, we'd suggest looking at a 2008 or later Durango and even then only if you need a big SUV that can tow and haul a lot of heavy stuff.

Launched in 1998, the first-generation Dodge Durango brought big-rig looks to a segment full of what essentially were tall station wagons. Then, as now, the Durango was larger than the typical midsize SUV but it looked and felt more like a shrunken full-size SUV. It was a sport-ute for the truck person: a vehicle that sat eight, but in pretty much every other way was the antithesis of a minivan.

The Durango was offered with several engine choices, including a wimpy V6, a couple of V8s and even a rare performance-oriented Shelby model with a high-powered V8, a lowered suspension, big wheels and racing stripes. None of the Durango's engines were particularly sophisticated, nor were they very fuel-efficient. Generally, we suggest looking for a used Durango equipped with a 4.7-liter V8 (offered from 2000-'03) or the 5.9-liter V8: The 4.7-liter delivered the best mileage out of the lot, while the 5.9-liter offered the most torque. Despite its rugged underpinnings, the first-gen Dodge Durango had better road manners than most truck-based SUVs of this era thanks to its long wheelbase, wide track and carefully tuned suspension.

If image projection and midsize-plus packaging were the first-generation Durango's strengths, its chief weakness was quality -- both real and perceived. Gaps between body panels were sizable and inconsistent, while interior fit and finish was lacking compared to the competition. Furthermore, ergonomics revealed the utilitarian pickup underneath, and the third-row seat was uncomfortable for all but children. Still, among families who needed a real workhorse, the original Dodge Durango made many friends.

User Reviews:

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  Best Vehicle Ive ever owned - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By daboyds - April 24 - 4:41 pm

  I ordered my 2004 Durango while stationed overseas in Germany. It was shipped to me there from the U.S., and we used it for 2 years traveling all over Europe. We then shipped it back to the U.S. and then to Australia where we used it in the middle of the Australian Outback with the extreme heat, red dirt and dust. Weve recently moved back to the U.S. again and we still have our Durango and have never had any issues with it at all. Matter of fact, weve only had it in the shop for routine maintenance. This vehicle has been from the cold in Russia/Europe to the heat of the Australian Outback with out any issues at all. We just LOVE it it!!!

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  Surprisingly Reliable! Sporty and roomy - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By kristinholmes - April 20 - 9:19 pm

  I had not ever owned an American car (and Im 48 years old) because I thought they were not reliable. so when we bought this one used with 37,000 miles from a dealership we also bought the biggest maintenance warranty available for $2500.00. Turned out the only repair ever needed in the last 3 years only cost about $360. It was for a broken motor mount and some kind of a gasket on the exhaust system. It has been very reliable and I would recommend it. Ours now has about $80,000 on it and still going strong.

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  What a Great Buy! - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By moprhead1 - April 13 - 10:27 am

  Just took Delivery this month, what a great buy!. Citidal with v-6, loaded with everything under the sun. Looked at BMW, Merc, Audi, and you just cant beat what you get for the money. Love the way the car handles, very nimble for such a large SUV. Blackberry pearl/Tan interior combo is just outstanding. Quality is every bit as good as the others I looked at. Getting 25 HWY...all this and it seats 7.

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  Excellent Value - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By austinp - March 27 - 4:14 pm

  Our Durango SLT has been absolutely flawless. When the salesman pulled it up for us to see we instantly hated it. We would NEVER own a white car. We however got an excellent price on it. We did not know when we bought it how commited it was. It just hit 65000 miles on the odometer and still looks new! The Engine has always started first try and it has never failed us. The 4.7 has been a pleasure to drive, its very fuel efficient and is very powerful. It will haul 7 People with ease. It runs real quite until you step on it then you get a powerful growl. We have had absolutely no issues with it. We expect great things from Chrysler and will continue to buy from them.

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  Great Vehicle So Far - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By meathead1986 - January 25 - 10:41 am

  Bought the Vehicle with about 120,000 on it and have had it for almost a year now. Fuel consumption is on the low side for an SUV but bearable in the fact that I havent yet gotten stuck in the ND snow that tends to pile up around here. Having a 3rd row helps ALOT with 3 kids and the ride quality is the best ive experience so far in a REAL SUV. It is a little noisy when youre standing outside with it running but inside you can talk normally without yelling while youre cruising down the highway at 75 and Ive only done regular maintenance on mine and its had nothing go wrong to date. only complaint is that with the 3rd row up there isnt much room left for cargo in the back...

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  Dynamic Dodge: A Fan is Born! - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By 1atomic - January 22 - 7:29 pm

  Im a new fan of Chrysler & Dodge after this recent purchase. The very best 4X4 out there. Incredible on boulevard or back road. As a former Cadillac Escalade owner, I saved over 20 grand for an even better SUV. Nearly bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, but waited for the Durango to gain extra seating capacity & cargo room. Elected the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 w/ AWD edition in Citadel trim. Loads of creature comforts as standard w/ few options at extremely reasonable prices. Absolutely no unsightly panel gaps. The new 11 is superior to everything in its class. I am pleased to have ordered my Durango w/ every option & all available packages - not possible w/ a Range Rover, Cadillac or Lincoln.

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  Great Power! Sad to see the Big SUV go! - 2009 Dodge Durango
  By Bryan - November 7 - 1:00 am

  I have owned my 09 Durango for two years. I drive allot, about 30K a year. Love the hemi power, I towed my 30 ft camper a couple times but did not like the "swaying". It has all of the power you need to tow 6K-8K lbs. I think the wheel base being short makes the swaying of the trailer a bit worse. If you want a big SUV for allot less than the Tahoe this is it and it will tow more than the Tahoe. The resale values have really tanked since my purchase. I think the used ones are a great deal right now. Get the hemi!

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  In love - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Dennysgirl09 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned Mini-Vans and we had a Ford Explorer, Never again. I am so in love with this SUV. Yeah gas millage is low but its worth it to me because this is just such a cool and fun SUV to drive. Handles like a dream, rain or shine. I haul kids every where so dependability and room along with comfort are a most and I got all that and then some.

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  Love my Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By durango mom - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Durango new with only 4 miles on it and have loved every mile I have ever driven it. I have boys who are in athletics and I carry bags of baseball gear and football gear year round to games and tournaments all over the Northwest. My Durango is spacious, seats move up and down easy, and is very easy to drive. Im teaching my 15-year-old to drive and he loves the Durango compared to other cars he has tried to drive because of its ease in turning, ability to see well from all angles, and height off the ground. I would definitely buy another Durango.

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  I Love My Dodge - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By JT in SC - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I am a Dodge man. I love the power of my Dodge HEMI. My wife and I bought it originally so that we could travel with our whole family for my job. Great on road handling. I drive much more cautiously than I did when I was younger, so I treat this truck like a baby. But when I need power to pass or tow. WOW! It goes like a bat out of you-know-where.