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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  Love this SUV! - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By headshrink - November 3 - 1:59 pm

  First time owning a Dodge/Chrysler product and I have to say so far I am seriously impressed. The initial impression with build quality is outstanding! There are no creaks or noises anywhere. I test drove basically every mid-sized SUV that had that had a third row seat. The Durango was the final car I was testing and as soon as I drove it I knew that I would be buying it. Actually I ended up leasing it because I was nervous about buying a Chrysler product due to their recent history and, their lease incentives here in Southern California were so good it was hard to resist. I have car pooled with the kids for two weeks now and have taken it off-road twice. This vehicle did very well in both situations and everything in between so far. I basically do no freeway driving so my mileage is around 15mpg and I am being light on the pedal. This SUV handles better than most cars I have owned, the turning radius is unreal. There is very little body roll on turns, especially considering this vehicle weighs 5000lbs. The balance they have struck seems hard to attain, it has a masculine SUV look but drives like a car and seats 7. My only gripe is that I wish it came with skid plates, but I can buy the package for $250 (at least that is what I read online). If you are in the market for an SUV with 3rd row seating, you would be foolish not to test drive this one.

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  Honda Pilot to the Durango - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By throwerguy - October 21 - 8:44 am

  We just purchased a 2011 Durango Crew AWD with the V6 and we are extremely satisfied. Our dealer let us have a demo Durango for 5 days and my wife and I put it through the paces of daily life with two small children, a dog. We we very impressed and compared it head to head with our 2009 Pilot EX-L 4X4. We looked at the 2012 Pilot, but felt the Durango offered more content and a much more refined interior than the Pilot. In addition, the Durango drove better (crisp handling for a 7 pass. vehicle) and was much quieter on the Highway. And, after drivng it for another week since delivery, we are very impressed with the mileage (better than the honda by a mile or two per gallon on average).

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  Im now a Dodge Fan. - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By superolds - October 18 - 6:35 pm

  The Durango has it all. Plenty of room and cargo space. Rides very smooth and quiet. The biggest surprise is the fuel economy.The EPA rating is 16 cty - 22 hwy. Were averaging between 19.5 to 21.5 and on the hwy at under 70 mph were above 25 mpg. Dont let Consumer Reports fool you into thinking the Transmission is its weak spot. Its a Mercedes Tranny used a few years back in thier AMG Cars because it has a very high Torque resistance. It is also very efficient. Maybe some more gears wouldnt hurt. Anyway, we travel to Myrtle Beach, which is 900 miles away. We could make it all the way with one stop, a little more than half way, for gas. Pretty cool. Theyve done a great job with th

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  Great so far! - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By bourdain - October 16 - 9:18 am

  Bought this yesterday in Charlestown, SC. Drove it up HWY 17 to Myrtle Beach and averaged 26.3 mpg. Thats 3 mpg better than the 4 cylinder Highlander that I just sold. It looks better and rides better. Go drive one, youll like it!

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  Wow, what a vehicle! - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By jasonmoore - September 22 - 9:04 am

  (BTW, this is a review of the Citadel V8 model, not available to choose from the list) I origiannaly had a 2011 Traverse and it was a nice vehicle with some great room and features. I was however, unhappy with the looks of it as well as the cheap "feel" of the interior. (I owned the LTZ model) I was always looking for a nice suv that had a more manly style and still had the luxury inside without paying for an escalade. Enter the 2012 Durango Citadel! OMG, this vehicle has it all. All of the cool tech features you could ever want, super luxurious interior, and a badass look on the outside! If there is one caveat I have, it is the plastic rim covers. An amazing vehicle overall!

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  I cant Believe its American - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By islah - September 15 - 8:54 pm

  We Recently bought this car after much research and tons of test drives. We test drove pretty much every single SUV out in the market today and settled down on this one. We got a huge discount and rebate on the 2011 model. This crew has more than what you ask for, for the price that we paid. For 31,000 it has a lot of stuff. The best part is that it is AWD, looks beautiful inside out. The ride is amazing. It is very quite on the road, especially on the Highway, once you get to the fifth gear, the engine becomes very quite that you can barely hear it. In one week we did 400 miles with 20 mpg combined, fabulous.

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  Great Usage - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By tlc872 - September 14 - 10:55 pm

  I have had my Durango for 4 years and it has not given me any problems. I find that the space is great for transporting my big family, and has not complaints.

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  Reliable family SUV, bad bad. mpg! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By steveerai - September 14 - 9:05 am

  We have had this car for about a year and it has been good to us. The leather and suade interior is so nice! The 2nd and 3rd rows are very spacious. A few things we dont like is the mpg! We get about 12-15 city and 15-17 hwy. Not very economical at all. Also the lever to put down the 2nd row seats is too close to the plastics. I always scrape my nuckle as it is VERY hard to pull. Other then that its a nice family suv, thats if your last name is Gates or Trump. As the gas price will cost you a fortune! !!!

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  abandoned - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By irate - September 12 - 10:17 pm

  If youre thinking about buying a 2011 Dodge Durango with a 5.7 hemi "dont do it" unless you dont mind driving a vehicle that feels like its miss-firing. In fact, the problem is so bad Im taking a loss on mine and trading it in for another vehicle with only 6000 miles - after being totally abandoned by both the dealership and Dodge customer service citing the condition Im feeling is a characteristic of the vehicle by design for fuel efficiency. A cute play of words that leave you no recource. I will never ever step foot into a Dodge dealership again....

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  2nd time around - 2012 Dodge Durango
  By momscar12 - September 12 - 6:23 am

  First off, I started out with a 2011 Express model mid-July. 1 month later I was rear ended in a collision. So, after seeing what the car did and the safety features the Durango offers, I got another one. Second time around I could only get the 2012 - there are just a few changes from the two models. So far I love it again. Its a great car to drive, comfortable, luxiourious even in the "base" model, very roomy but not too big, and makes for a cool mom or dad kid-hauler. The vehicle handles very well for the size and has a lot of "get up and go" with the V-6 engine. Real road hwy experience: if you drive the speed limit and use cruise control, you can get into the high 20s in gas mileage!