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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  Great truck with a lot of power - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By NJNOMAD - February 14 - 9:18 pm

  Though we had a few issues with the drive train (Dodge covered everything) after about a year, overall we love it. It is large enough for the 5 of us and all of our camping gear. It has been fun to drive and very responsive for a large truck.

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  Must be good luck - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Bronco - February 9 - 10:37 am

  Have owned this vehicle since it was 1 year old (16,600 mi). Have had only one issue of note. The cam position switch failed, $200 repair and good to go. This has been and continues to be a good reliable vehicle. The gas mileage is horrible but the interior layout and design is nice. The quality of the interior components is not the best, the plastic will fail (esspecially with kids). However the parts are inexpensive to replace. Maybe Ive been lucky, but I have had less problems with this than friends and family with 2002 Montero, and 2001 Tahoe.

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  2004 Hemi Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By John Dillman - February 2 - 11:44 pm

  We have driven from Indiana to the Florida Keys 3 times and to Texas twice. The highway ride is smooth and comfortable. Gas mileage can be as expected, but the power on the highway is really nice! The only problem we ever had was an oxygen sensor, but that was replaced under warranty. We now have just over 53,000 miles on the Durango. Runs so quiet at idle I have to check rpm to know it is actually running. We change oil every 3000 miles and rotate tires every 6000 miles along with any other services shown in the service handbook.

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  From SHO to Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By N8ECH - January 21 - 10:29 am

  Purchased my 01 Dark Garnet SLT+ in August of 03 w/25k. I find that the 4.7 motor has plenty of power as well as "good musclecar sound" for the hot rodder in me. You get a good view of the road due to sitting up higher, but the A pillars are wide and provide a blind spot to be watched. Only two items I would change if I could are get the 4 wheel ABS (the 2wABS is useless). I would also get the full time 4wd xfer case. Mileage is about the same either way, and since you paid for 4x4 why not be able to use it all the time. Only service issues as of 56k are leaking steering rack, aux coolant pump ,and upper ball joints under recall. Mileage is 9-12 in town, and 16-18 hwy.

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  For the Kids - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By 4theKIDS - January 18 - 12:46 pm

  I haul football players all the time. This SUV has been to LA four times in two months with a load of kids and lots of equipment. I love the ride. The teenagers do not have a problem in the third row, nor is there a complaint as I got this SUV at the same price as I purchased a 2005 Honda Accord. I do wish the fuel was better. I have the low end SUV, but still have all power and room for 7! I must also state that I am a real estate agent, and this SUV may not have been one of the high end utilities that my peers have but I look just as good!

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  My Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By idengale - January 17 - 10:40 pm

  has towing pkg which gives it slow acceleration, poor gas milage(14mpg, a little stiff but fun to drive. really tight turning radius very easy to manipulate in traffic, roomy.

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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By trcaldwell - January 16 - 10:18 pm

  When my family bought the new Dodge Durango we knew we made the right choice. The Hemi engine and the aggressive styling are definite pluses. The only area of concern for our family in downsizing was the passenger room. In our Durango we have the two-seater third row and it is the most spacious and comfortable third row that we have seen in comparing vehicles, moreso even than that of the Ford Expedition (2004), Chevrolet Tahoe, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoya, or even the Chevrolet Suburban. The only drawback that we came across was that when we pile six of us into the car for a road trip there is no room for our bags. So on every long trip we had to put a cargo carrier on the top and back.

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  Been good to me - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Corsair - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I leased my Durango in Sept of 99. It was a dealer demo. I had a lot of problems with the dealer during/after the sale & they forgot to mention some details about buying a dealer demo vehicle. Overall I am very UNIMPRESSED with the original dealership & most Dodge dealerships in my area. Otherwise I love the truck. Yes, it gets poor gas mileage but I KNEW it would when I bought it! The only problem I have had was the drivers window regulator stopped working within the first few months. Otherwise I have had no problems. I must have gotten one of the good ones. The vehicle only has 28K miles on it and I baby it (maintenance, washes, etc).

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  2006 Dodge Durango - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Todd n DE - December 2 - 11:03 am

  I bought this truck and traded in my 2000 Acura RL because my wife is pregnant with our third child and we needed the room. The Acura was paid for and I did not want a big note, so price was an important issue. Since my late grandfather retired from Chrysler, we were able to get the employee price. We got an in-stock truck w/ every option available, except GPS. Shortly after purchase, my family went on a trip from Delaware to South Carolina. I am very pleased with the way this vehicle performs and rides. I also really like all the options.

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  Durango 2016 - 2016 Dodge Durango
  By RQ - November 10 - 10:04 pm

  Walked away with an amazing deal on a great vehicle.