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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  My Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By kphillips2000 - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I have loved my 99 Durango in the three years I have owned it. It adapts from traveling to work, to carting kids to the game, to hooking the camper behind and going on a trip. Its never let me down with any sort of maintenance issues.

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  Good vehicle - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By znn94x - November 15 - 2:00 am

  No problems with my Durango other than the gas mileage, but that is to be expected. Excellent build quality and fun to drive - plus it has the offroad capability if you need it.

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  SUV with Style - 2016 Dodge Durango
  By Sparky - November 7 - 10:32 pm

  The Styling is great. the interior lights and tail lights are great. the headlights are a bit dim compared to my Toyota Corolla and Ram 1500. Seating is great, comfortable, love the heated seats. love the autostart and keyfob for unlocking the doors. I just have to get close and the doors unlock for me as I reach for the door. The climate control auto adjusts. The Navigation SUCKS! I use WAZE instead. I do like the traffic and weather( although it gives me a Danbury weather report not putnam county) The GAS price checker is not very accurate.. still shows HESS and not the new name. In summary, car is great, Uconnect needs work to be more relevant. I was also wondering how they address Security on UCONNECT and was told I would be given a USB drive to update it. Working in IT security, I know there are problems that have still not been fixed on UCONNECT (well unless they can push it down to my car)

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  Dodge Durango RT - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By kinserdrift - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Truck looks great motor rpms fluctuate at syeady speed dealer never could make stop overall good solid truck great for towing gas milage sucks at least 30% worse than my 98 eddie baur explorer cant wait to try out a 04 w/HEMI

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  the power when you need it - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By hosers heroes - November 2 - 2:00 am

  love the big 360-hate the gas it eats.The 17 inch rims and big tires look great when clean-especially in the bright red.Fun to drive would love to get a new one.

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  This SUV is a BLAST!!! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By BaltimoreRaver - November 1 - 2:00 am

  The Durango is one fun SUV to own. I wasnt into the "grocery getter" SUVs that are all the rage now. I wanted a TRUE utility vehical. This thing is as comfortable chewing up rocks and mud as it is rolling downtown with friends. Loe the fold down rear seats and the spacious interior (Im 610") The upgraded audio is supurb with very little add ons necessary.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By otter - October 27 - 2:00 am

  Had zero problems over 27,000 miles in 15 months. Great in Minnesota winters. Towed 6000lb trailers with no problem in the relatively flat midwest. Got rear-ended hard by an F350 dually, skidded off road, and rolled. Not a single straight piece of metal left on the Durango, but driver walked away one bruise, and all doors and hatch still worked. I loved my 2001 Durango, and have replaced it with a 2002.

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  2003 Dodge Durango SLT - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Beth - October 26 - 1:00 am

  I love my new Dodge Durango but the gas mileage is a problem. It is fun to drive and very comfortable but I am filling it up every other day!! Since it is a big SUV and has great power, I would almost have to say that I should have know what I was getting into. But filling it up with gas every other day is ridiculous - even for a big SUV with great power! I am going to have to budget putting gas in my car!

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  Doge Rocks - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Mr.Parker - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Doge because it has alot of legroom and is a real family car

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  My First Suv. - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By bill thomas - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I swore I would never purchase a SUV of any size shape or form. I considered a Chrysler Convertable or a Dakata truck but when it came to finalizing my decision the Durango was the perfect choice.Then a trip to Mississippi, I live in Memphis Tenn.,to check on a few used Durango when I was able to purchase a new one for over $10,000 off the sticker price. I love driving my SUV.My Durange is not loaded with extras, has power windos, door locks and keyless entry.Just perfect for my needs and plenty of cargo space, its not to big and/or to small.Dodge is doing good with its complete line of vehicles.