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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  Very Impressed! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By jrobichaud - May 26 - 10:00 am

  We spent a lot of time looking at Ford (explorer and expidition) and Chevy (trailblazer). The new 04 durango really impressed us with comfort, power (even with the 4.7 V8)! great interior room, dealers were great to work with, and the pricing came in significantly under even the smaller explorer and Trailblazer. Better warrentee, just pleased overall with the vehicle.

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  Durango 2004 - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Satisfied customer - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Three (3) words: fun, smooth, and responsive

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  Get to know your Dodge mechanic... - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By kseebold - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I bouught my Durango new in 2001 and have been satisfied with the performance; however, the vehicle has been plagued with numerous malfunctions. Ive been back to the dealer for the following, # visits to correct problem in (), power window failure (1); speaker malfunction (3 - still not fixed); radiator fan thermocouple (1); front pass. seat rail (1); driver seat rail (1). It seems that the "fit and finish" could use a little work, but the styling and vehicle performance are fine. Look at the service record before you buy...

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  04 durango best you can buy 05 better - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By foyman1 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  hemi v/8 enough said, fit & finish perfect, after selling fords & chevys for 35 years & dealing with my customers complaints, plus buying & dealing with many many trips to the warrantie [service] dept. it is indeed a pleasure to own a durango, my 1st was a 01 loaded durango slt, to harsh a ride, not as comfortable as I would like, what a treat the 04 is. the sound system is awsome, I ordered the upgrade 6 CD with sub-woofer, the transmission is so smooth you hardly ever notice it shift, other than poor mileage [all suvs] in this size get poor mileage, so why whine about it, I say get your hands on a new durango, 04 or 05 & be like my wife & I, just enjoy enjoy enjoy

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  Best Overall Vehicle Ever Owned - 2016 Dodge Durango
  By Neil Reid - May 11 - 1:46 am

  This is a terrific machine. Looks great, has all the gadgets you want and enjoy, the 5.7 hemi with the 8 speed gearbox is a rocket. Super comfortable, excellent interior, super build quality, feels like a more expensive machine. This is my second Durango and Im very pleased with it. Not the cheapest sticker, but you get what you pay for. Strong recommend for this machine; I have the R/T.

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  ILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A DODGE !!!!!!!! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By DODGE HATER - April 28 - 3:33 pm

  IVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE.. ITS A LEMON ! THE DEALERSHIP ( SECURITY DODGE )AND CHRYSLER ARE NOT IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BUSINESS. ONCE YOU BUY THE VEHICLE YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.A BUDDY OF MINE ALSO HAS A DURANGO BUT WITH A 318 CI AND ENGINE BLEW AT 34,000 MILES,DEALER GAVE HIM A HARD TIME REPLACING MOTOR TRYING TO SAY NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

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  This things got a hemi! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By mikey692 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I love the 04 durango no problems at all

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  Looks nice, but dont tow with it! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By sburkett - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Lots of interior room, even the third row seats are usable by adults. Interior quality is good, not flashy, but everything you need is right at hand and functional. Seemed like the perfect balance of size, seating capacity and towing capabilities. But two trips out with our 6000 pound trailer, and both resulted in a blown out rear end. Chrysler will only fix broken parts, refuses to look into cause, so well probably be on rear end number three next week. Truck has 3000 miles on it and is currently stranded 200 miles from home.

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  New vehicle - 2016 Dodge Durango
  By Sco Stu - April 15 - 9:32 am

  Purchased a "USED"... yes used 2016 Durango R/T with 65 miles on it (July 2016). With the addition of a second child (we opted for 2nd row captain chairs), our 2013 Audi Q5 3.0T Prem Plus, S-Line just did not have enough interior room. Durango is a nice vehicle for its size. The V8 is a must for the weight of this vehicle. Coming from a supercharged V6 german CUV, my wife could not stand the Dodge V6. The 8sp is smooth. We tested other American SUVs that had the quad captain chairs as options and the Durango ticked all our boxes for satisfaction. We liked the turbo-6 on the Ford explorer but not much else on that vehicle. U-Connect is intuitive, I just hope the touchscreen lasts. I will update later on longevity. Noted....our Audi had 60k miles when we traded and was absolutely flawless....NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM during the ownership.

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  great vehicle - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By music man - April 13 - 10:00 am

  i have realy enjoyed this vehicle, the more we drive it the more we enjoy it.