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:

• 

  A Dependable Friend - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By docluck - September 23 - 2:00 am

  I actually recently turned in my 98 Durango after having owned it for five and-a-quarter years. In that time, it was the most dependable American car Id ever owned, and it rarely gave me any major mechanical problems. It looked great even when I turned it in 5 years later. I found the 5.2 liter 318 engine very adept at doing its job. In the time I had it, I moved 3 times. During the first two moves, I towed a fully packed 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix behind, and the Durnago never broke a sweat, even climbing through the mountains. The truck was good on the road, and had enough weight to it that I didnt feel like the trailer was driving the truck.

• 

  No More Dodges For Me - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By TimA - September 22 - 2:00 am

  My lease is up in a month and I cant wait. The moment my 36,000 mile warrenty expired the problems started...to the tune of about $4,500 since that time, AC evaporator, power window motor, cracked oil pump, battery and even with regular tire rotation, had to replace 4 tires at 24,000 miles. They look great, they ride nice but whats the use if mechanically theyre amess!

• 

  best thing i ever owned - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Anggie - September 19 - 2:00 am

  We love the suv that was the best suv we could have wanted i just dont like the gas milage but it will do cause i wanted that suv over others

• 

  2003 Black Durango - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By jevener - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have just bought my Durango a few weeks ago. I have had nothing but fun driving it. The very next day after buying the Durango, I drove from New Jersey to Ohio. Which is not an easy drive. Going up and down through the mountains. The V-8 just purred and kept chugging up the road. The only thing bad was the chugging chugged down a lot of fuel. But all and all it is a very nice and enjoyable ride.

• 

  I love It - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Rebecca S - September 8 - 2:00 am

  My 1998 Durango has 95,000 miles on it and still purrs like a kitten. I live in a very rural and mountainous region. Gets me anywhere I want to go. I love all of the interior room. Great for traveling but not on a daily errand basis. Not good gas mileage. At 70,000 miles repaired a window motor, air conditioning hose and valve. Other than tires and regular maintenance. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who needs a powerful suv......

• 

  works for me - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By bubba - September 3 - 2:00 am

  100k miles plus with minor problems. One window motor switch, leaking transfer case seal at 100k, abs speed sensor, ball joints replaced.... no other major problems. used to tow a 25 boat and does it well. i like the car.

• 

  dodge sport - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By nirvanaman67-94 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  it is nice and comfortable awsome performance black grill and alloys

• 

  New Durango blues - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By amber - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought our new Dodge last month. It is a SLT 4x4 model (2003). So far the best gas mileage I have recieved is approximately 13 miles per gallon. Pulling our 23 ft boot only 9.5 mpg. Aweful gas mileage. Our air does not run as cool as it should. We were trying to decide between an Envoy and the Durango and decided on the Durango because of the incentives. Also three days after buying the durango, the gas petal came off in the middle of a highway and we had to pull over to replace it. I now wish I had gone with the Envoy for comfort reasons and interior styling. The only con for the Envoy is that it felt like driving an all wheel drive van.

• 

  Learning Experience - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By meanestmomever - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Durango because it had 7 passenger seating and was NOT a mini- van. I wanted the security of 4x4 since we have ice & snow 9 mo out of the year. Turns out the Durango is quite squirly on the ice, the rear end swings out, and it comes standard with 4 ply tires which are no good in rural areas or mixed dirt & pavement. Lots of flats. Oh and no anti-lock braking if the 4x4 is engaged.

• 

  Durango SXT - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Gordy - August 28 - 2:00 am

  My first SUV. Im 64" and this thing has plenty of room. Very comfortable on long trips. PLENTY of power and I feel very safe in this vehicle. I was hesitant to buy a Dodge because of reputation, but I have had the vehicle for a year and put almost 20,000 on it with absolutely no trouble. Ive really enjoyed this vehicle.