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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  Hot Dodge - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Coronet 73 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This is it! The only way to travel in style and performance. the Durango came out and the auto industry blinked and gasped for air and said oh sh*t we need something like that. It is what all suvs should be like. Hand down the sweetest SUV out there!

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  the best - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Dave oocp - March 19 - 2:00 am

  The car is great. It look way better then the old body style. Thes is a great car!!

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  not a van type of guy - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Zevner - March 19 - 2:00 am

  as single dad raising seven kids by myself ive found a new luv with my durango it fits us all, it isnt as big and bulky as most suvs and isnt as expensive either

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  The great suv - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By thomas krumpter - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Other then the lousy gas milage this is the finest vehicle that I have owned

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  power - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By joeR1 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  this is my third durango better yet its a 2004 hemi it reacts when i react it turns head and its comfortable they did good with suspension but they could do better with the rear, breaking is good i have no complaints only complaint dodge should of made a R/T model keep up the good work

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  Damn Durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Home B-Z - February 15 - 2:00 am

  great piece of machine

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  Best Buy Ever - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Jana Green - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Great Vehicle. Just remember there is more to life than gas mileage. I have 3 kids, the extra seat came in extremely handy for the "Shes touching me" sibling syndrome. I traded this vehicle in for a Suzuki Esteem for the gas mileage. What a horrid mistake I made. The Durango is the best SUV out there. Never had any problems. Great ride and lots of compliments. No brainer Go with the Durango.

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  A great truck! - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By ZCR - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Will do anything you ask of it.

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  love my Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By sandrat - January 27 - 2:00 am

  everyone in the family love to drive this vehicle. Comfortable for driver and passenger. Only mechanical problem was drivers side power window failure just outside of 30k/36mo warranty. Cost was $200. No other problems. Pulled trailers in soft sand. Great truck.

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  Safety First Mom - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By SafetyFirst - January 27 - 2:00 am

  For the moms out there, I purchased the Durango, not only for looks, but for the all steel construction. I am very thankful I did. A few months ago, we were in a major accident in which the Durango spun around and flipped over twice down an embankment. No one was hurt, and my baby slept through the whole thing. All the seatbelts worked great, and we didnt have any trouble getting out of the car. When I looked at the Durango after we exited the car, there were no dents on the doors or anywhere passengers were sitting!!! The Durango held up VERY well, and well be getting another one when our lease is up.