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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  Reliability Nightmare - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Mel Farnaby - July 6 - 6:11 pm

  This is my second Durango from the same dealer. My first one was returned and replaced due to excessive water leaks that the dealer was unable to fix. My new 05 SLT with Hemi has now had three fuel pumps on it and a new gas tank, and I am extremely dissatisfied and wonder where and when it is going to leave me on the side of the road again. This vehicle has less than 5,000 miles on it and has been in and out of the dealership since I leased it. I wish Dodge would face up to the fact that they have a problem and take steps to rectify.

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  If you like to bounce - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By JudaStar - June 24 - 3:36 pm

  Ive had my Durango for 2 years. It is fully loaded and beautiful inside and out, metallic emerald green with dark gray leather interior. The sound system is great. I do have some complaints though. The ride is not so smooth but maybe its because of the big knobby Wrangler tires that I think are standard...and mine still has. I love the way the tires make the vehicle look but am thinking about replacing them with a tire that might make the ride smoother. The electric windows stick (Ive had them unstuck several times) and the brakes are sometimes scary. I have read other reviews complaining about the windows sticking and scary brakes.

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  2001 Dodge Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Mark - June 23 - 5:31 pm

  Ive had nothing but good luck with my Durango. I get darn good mileage considing the size of the vehicle. Around 20 mpg average with the 4.7L V8. Its been extremely reliable as I have not had a problem in the 4 years and over 85,000 miles I have owned it. The only draw back is it likes to eat tires. Im going through a set about every 25,.000 miles.

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  Great for our family - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Amy - June 15 - 3:53 pm

  I got a loaded SLT with 4WD, Hemi, sunroof, leather, DVD entertainment system. We have three kids so the Durango gives us lots of room with the 3rd row.

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  My Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Keith - June 14 - 6:53 pm

  My favorite of all midsize SUVs. Beautiful design. Its much more stylish than any of those boxes on wheels rolling around out there. It has great interior space for cargo and passengers. Best of all it has an incredibly strong and powerful engine. I have done everything from get out of 4 foot snow drifts to pushing disabled cars and towing large boats. Not as quiet as a luxury vehicle but definitely more affordable and practical. By far one of the best car selections that I ever made.

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  2002 DURANGO - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By JDL - June 13 - 10:00 am

  WELL BUILT TRUCK, ROOMY, RIDES GREAT FOR A BIG TRUCK

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  Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Joe - June 11 - 11:37 pm

  Nice styling, comfortable seating. Large, with a good turning radius. V8, 239 cid has good power with 235 horsepower and a strong and smooth shifter. Nice metallic color offerred by Dodge. Caddys watch out, the Hemis getting bigger every year. Quality craftsmanship with a long dealer warranty. These SUVs will be the best overall, if not already, soon.

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  Great car, but bad cooling system - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By hudsonblog - May 14 - 3:08 pm

  My Durango has been a love-hate situation. I love the looks, love the power and the safety feel is great. The gas mileage is not good, but thats the price for a bigger car. I have had terrible luck with the cooling. This car has often gone past 210 degrees. Smells hot! The radiator had to be replaced due to leaks twice. The front cooling housing had to be replaced because a leak formed in the middle of the metal housing due to heat! Cylinder 7 began miss-firing and cause the left cylinder head to be replaced. Heat also cause an anoying squeak due to leaks in engine block seal. Ive been so careful with this car and has gotten me nowhere. I do like the 04 Durango!

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  Redesigned 04 Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By lcphotos - May 14 - 2:00 am

  To say that the 04 Durango is redesigned is an incorrect statement. It is my opinion that they built a brand new vehicle and named it the Durango. The body is wider, longer, taller. The suspension reminds you of a Mercedes. You dont realize that you are driving a 5000lb SUV. The nose is dropped and shorter than the previous years giving you a better view of the road and parking areas. Over the holidays, 4 adults traveled extremely comfortably with the back full of luggage. We have the 5.7l Hemi with the 4x4/AWD and our trip to the mountains of North Carolina and thru the snow was a breeze.

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  2004 Durango with a HEMI - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By troy wheeler - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The limited Durango is Quiet, powerful (yes, it has a hemi)and very nimble. Our Durango is the top of the line LIMITED with leather, sunroof, dvd and a 380 watt sound system. We love the features, power and handling. The ride quality is outstanding and when you are accelerating we can still just barely hear the engine wind up. And we have lots of ROOM!! But is does not drive like a big suv. Its easy to park even though we park out a ways so we do not get any DINGS from inconsiderate drivers.