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:

• 

  I Love This "Thing" - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Smiley - October 13 - 6:59 pm

  Since the first time I saw a Durango, I have always been intrigued by them. I finally bought one, and thus far I am very happy with it. I love that it is truck based, because I like to tow now and then. I also like the ability to drive through mud and snow. Love the fact it has a third row and makes a person feel as though they are in a tank. If you want a capable vehicle this is for you. If you just want a people hauler I suggest a mini-van or car based SUV, because this thing only gets about 13 mpg. Ride is pretty good.

• 

  Do It Durango - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By wbentt - September 16 - 11:33 pm

  I have had my new 06 Durango for three weeks now and love it. It is quiet like a limosine until you step on the gas and feel the incredible power of the Hemi. The interior is fantasitic. Dash is superb! Seats are really comfortable and power drivers seat standard. Yes! I bought this one without running boards and now see that I will have to order some. Its a long way up! The gas mileage is lower than expected, but the power will be great for pulling my motorcycle and trailer to TX every winter. The looks are OK. Havent got used to the front end yet but everything else makes it great! Front will grow on me. Crawled under and had a look. Now that is built tough, but rides great!

• 

  Bought Used, Wrecked Once, Still Keeping - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By redhight - September 2 - 7:00 pm

  1st SUV, 1st Dodge. Tow pkg, 5.9 eng, w/23k miles. Drove everywhere on/offroad, towed trailer, horse, moving van. Lowered the back seats and hauled firewood, hay, camping gear. Rearended a 1-ton p-up 4 yrs ago, got it fixed and shes fine! Loaned it out to friends and family, too. Just under 130k miles now. Needs tie-rod, ball joint, front end align and heater-core replacement. Except for gas mileage woes, virtually no maintenance on this Durango but oil/radiator fluid changes and brakes. Drove at avg. speeds of 65+ After 7 yrs its still going with less than $4k in repairs? Is there a problem? Nope. Will pass it to my daughter when Im done.

• 

  Wow - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By wow - August 29 - 4:57 pm

  Great auto, lots of power. Gas mileage is poor. Inside lots of cheap plastic. Rebuild the inside with premimum products,dont go cheap. Move the fuse box. My foot knocks off the fuse box door, that is a pain. The seat belt needs to be longer. I am a big guy. Change the instrument light to a more fun color have fun with inside lighting. Its a dream to drive, just need to upgrade the inside to have a real winner.

• 

  Durango eats gas - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By tommie - August 26 - 8:43 am

  Have my durango , no problem this suv eats gas otherwise fun to drive ,comfortable

• 

  04 Durango Limited 4.7L - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Tony - August 10 - 5:01 pm

  Love the Durango. The 4.7L engine has enough power to get the truck around w/o guzzling . I get about 18 to 19 MPG when I take it easy on the gas. I have had no mechanical issues with the car and would definitely buy another one.

• 

  Joseph Kirane owner - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By joseph kirane - August 9 - 10:18 am

  This vehicle was a dealers when we purchased. We liked due to the room and durability of the seats. It has a smooth ride. Several months ago we were away from home when the car would not start due to something with the key. The vehicle would not start and had to be towed back to the dealership. Also the ABS light came on at 53,000 miles and needed to be replaced at $600 job by the dealer. Keys are $140 to replace and not dependable. The newer computer system they said is in the vehicle is a poor system and can cause these things to happen when there is actually nothing wrong. Too expensive to replace.

• 

  Digging the Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Dodge Fan - August 8 - 4:04 pm

  Superb vehicle! Leaps and bounds ahead of the previous style Durango. Hemi has everything you could want in a motor, cant complain about the gas mileage. It was posted on the sticker and was well known when it was rolled out. You cant expect 335 hp in a big SUV to compare to a Ford Escape in terms of mileage. Ride is smooth, handling is precise. Extremely quiet even at highway speeds. Could be more leg room in the 2nd row. Leather seats are high quality and heated seats are quick to warm. The transmission is slow to engage going from reverse to drive. Bad visibility looking over you shoulder due to the pillar being in the way. Good fit and finish, though glove box is too small.

• 

  Im not really sold, though this was a big truck - 2016 Dodge Durango
  By stevefromtheburbs - August 8 - 2:37 pm

  I had this for a week, while my car was in the shop. I liked many aspects of this, and many I did not. Ill try to be fair about both sides. The goods are: The look is awesome, Dodge has it going on. From the retro squared boxy design, to the LED running lights, to the rear lights on the tailgate, to the height, it is all super good. The car is heavy, and feels like it is a tank, so you feel confident about driving and not feeling like you will get blown around in the wind. The leather seats are super sweet, but getting in and out of them requires patience, and some pain. The equipment level is good for the price. The price is $42K, but for what you get, in todays market, is about average, or slightly above average. The headlights and driving lights on together give you a great view. The bads are: This thing does not want to stop....it is a beast and will require some pedal effort to get it to stop. The getting in and out will hurt you as the large plastic pieces on the sides of the seat snag you and it hurts....it is too big to sit over or down into...so you have to climb in and as you do, you will get hurt. Gas mileage was in the 14-15 range. The 3rd row seats are for kids...but nice to have. The shifting at times is horrendous, banging around like it is hunting for a good gear.....and the auto start/stop thing is nothing but annoying for the little bit of gas you might have saved. The interior lights are not LED - which is crazy because on our Dodge Journey SXT plus, they were all LEDs inside. For $42K, you have to have at least what the Journey is offering, right? Not in this case. The front bumper rides very low to the ground and wants to scrape all the curbs as you pull into a parking spot. It was a great ride, but I was happy to turn it back in at the end of a week. I had put about 500 miles on it and I was not feeling like I wanted to go buy one. You should rent for a week before buying to see that it is worth the steep price for what you get. I loved the storage on this thing, but you might realize you dont need anything this big and expensive.

• 

  OK SUV - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By mike20 - August 3 - 1:38 pm

  OK family vehicle. Has enough power. Transmission shifting needs help. A/C is very poor.