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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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  Good Riddance Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By azjim - August 3 - 11:04 pm

  After a year and a half I have bid good bye to my 05 Durango Ltd. This vehicle had every option including Nav, DVD and chrome wheels. Had to take it back to the dealer 8x so they could finally fix an oil leak. 3x back to dealer to get the drivers seat repaired because it kept cracking near the power seat controls. One time they tried to glue a broken piece back on. The front bumper had to be reclipped because the some of the plastic clips were missing. Weather stripping had to be replaced numerous times due to falling off. All this and 12 mpg with a Hemi for a vehicle that stickered for $43K. Traded this hunk of junk in for a Honda Pilot and 24mpg.

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  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.

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  An SUV only a mother could love. - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Chance D. - July 30 - 2:00 pm

  I recently aquired my mothers 15 year old, 233,000 mile black Dodge Durango. She has driven this car since I was 5 years old, and now she has passed it onto me. It seems Dodge really struck gold with the 4.7l V8 and 4A because it has been through Florida summers and North Carolina winters and still starts up everyday without an issue and shifts like silk. The engine and transmission have not been rebuilt or replaced, which astonishes my entire family because we frequently hear about the horror stories people have with transmissions in Dodge RAMs and others. Corporate must have visited the factory the day my mothers vehicle was built, especially being a FCA automobile, because it runs like a top. The only issues that I have found seem to be small electrical problems, a blown fuse every once in awhile for a drivers side taillight and the drivers door lock does not work (which I suspect is result of some maintainance from my mother and father. Other than that, all the windows still roll up and down, albeit slowly, the headlights and fog lights still work, and all the dials in the instrument cluster still work. Another downside is the appalling fuel economy, with only averaging 13mpg even at 70mph and 1750rpm on the freeway. But with the vehicle weighing almost 4700 lbs and having a 4.7l V8, it does make sense. All in all, I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that needs a work horse and still needs it to start everyday.

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  One Year Review - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Debbie - July 30 - 4:14 am

  Coming up on a year with our Durango, this is a good time to share a few things. The brakes have an occassional squeal that we are told is normal. But the interior front seat design is very poorly done for anyone over 200 lbs. My husband is an ex-football guy and whew, his muscles and size just dont go with the seatbelt contraption that pops out at the bottom of the seat. It has broken twice now, with just normal wear and tear, and you can see we dont drive it much with low miles. But that is probably the only complaints we have thus far.

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  Never Again - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By George - July 29 - 4:47 pm

  Owned R/T for several months now and regret trading in my Infiniti for it. Had 32K when purchased and had tie rod problems from the day I drove off lot. Wife broke down 3 days after purchase. Went back to have driver side window switch replaced due to failure, Window came off track At 44k transmission started slipping on highway at 65mph. Took to dealer and whole transmission needed to be replaced over $2k. Lucky I bought extended warranty but still cost me $425 out of pocket. Still doesnt feel right. Slips now when rear end hits any bump on highway. I am going with my wife this week to get rid of it and buy a foreign car. American cars are just not up to the quality level.

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  It was for the wife, but... - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By EMRMAN - July 26 - 1:21 pm

  Bought it for my wife as our family car in lieu of a van. I drive it more than her. I have a Crown Vic for my daily driver but the Durango is much more fun to drive. Love the power and sound. It hauls the 21 foot inboard better than my fathers new Chevy truck. I knew gas mileage would stink, but what can you expect from an SUV? We owned a V6 Chevy Blazer which did just slightly better in gas mileage, but it was the worst vehicle I have ever owned, always in the shop. Family members with TrailBlazers and Envoys love the Durangos looks and powers.

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  I love my Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By BNJ - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I test drove many different SUVs & found the Durango to be a quality vehicle that is fun to drive. It is very responsive. It carries my wife, five children and myself in comfort and safety. I love it! Service at the dealer is also fantastic!