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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  Wind buffeting - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By P Marshall - August 22 - 4:15 pm

  We noticed that when the rear windows are open at speeds over 35 mph, the vehicle steering column, doors vibrate & shake. Called the dealership & was told its a design flaw, cant fix, and that at highways speed the passenger compartment fills with turbulent air causing a "parachute" like response which lifts the rear of the vehicle making it unstable to drive at highway speeds. The only fix available is to keep the windows closed. Are you kidding me? At the price we paid I should be able to open any window I like and still have a safe vehicle to drive. Piece of junk. Also, pops out of reverse every 10th drive or so. Nice.

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  Not for a family with small children! - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Triplet Mama Plus 2 - May 8 - 4:04 pm

  Well first off the gas mileage is a joke, do not buy if you have any sort of commute to work or youll be averaging $70 every 4 days on gas, crazy! Second, I have 5 kids (6, 2, and 18 month old triplets) and getting them in and out of this vehicle is awful, such a pain. I cant even go anywhere because no stroller but an umbrella stroller would fit. The interior is falling apart without even harsh use. All in all if we didnt have but a couple kids and worked 5 minutes away then it would be manageable but we are getting rid of this Durango ASAP!

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  Dodge is junk and service is a SCAM! - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By jbarmywife - May 8 - 2:20 pm

  The electrical system, brakes and engine are junk. This is my third Dodge and I have had problems with all of them. My 2005 Dodge Ram kept breaking down and every time wed take it in theyd charge us $100 and say theres nothing wrong with it. Same with my Durango, even with the check engine light on they say theres nothing wrong yet my car just stopped on he road. Its still not fixed and I cant sell it the way it is. Now my husband has a 99 pickup and you can clearly tell the cylinders are missing. It jerks you back every time you drive it and he took it in today. They charge him another $100 for nothing. It shows up on my friends diagnostics machine. SCAM!

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  Great short term car - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Groot - December 22 - 11:49 pm

  First car I ever owned and I will never own another Dodge again. As I approached 100K several things started breaking (mechanical AC pump, transmission governor and governor solenoid, and now the brake interlock solenoid). The AC pump and interlock solenoid I can understand, but the powertrain warranty failed to cover an essential part of the transmission? Also the interlock solenoid can only be fixed by replacing the entire steering column as the part is NOT offered separately. Once they start to go they just go. Poorly designed and what good is a warranty that really covers next to nothing? Parts are too expensive and unreliable to make this a smart buy.

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  Should Consider another Manufacturer - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Never Again - October 5 - 8:55 am

  I bought this vehicle at the end of 2005 when they were running the model year clearance. I had some negitive equity from another vehicle so the $6000 in rebates was great, however the depreciation on this vehicle is horribly. It nearly halved in value is first year. I am now two years into a 3 year lease and i am being offered my lease payout as my trade in value. I also have about 33,000 miles on the vehicle and both fron seat base cowlings are cracked near seatbelt attachments, the vehicle has stalled several times for no reason, the motor has a clicking lifter, and my fuel mileage keeps getting worse. Beware of the oh so good looking deal. Think twice before you buy.

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  Rebate kills trade in - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Rebate kills tradein - July 16 - 2:09 pm

  The truck is pragmatic for large families. Handling, agility, speed etc etc is all comporable to its competition. The Hemi would be the only outstanding characteristic above other trucks of its class. I have owned two and have a family of 5 so, I know and appreciate the value the Durango, but objectively, there is nothing spectacular for consumer reviews. If you like the the cosmetics and are planning to keep it for the life of the loan, then you will get your moneys worth. If you like to trade every two years you will be disappointed with ground truth trade in value of this depreciating asset.

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  Piece of Junk! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Piece of Junk! - April 24 - 9:48 am

  When I first bought this SUV I loved it, then came all the problems. Last year I had to put new engine in. Now Im having problems with the oxgyen sensors. I have gone through at least 2 of them already! Im finding nothing but more and more problems. I do not recommend this SUV!!

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  Never again - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Jeff - February 24 - 1:25 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems from the ball joints to the water pump not to include the door locks and burned out window motor. Dodge did not do their homework when making this model. Shame on you Dodge!

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  Avoid at allcosts - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By BadLands - January 16 - 2:38 pm

  I love the look and feel of the Durango. Unfortunately, like its predecessor models, the new Durango is laden with all sorts of electrical issues. It contains a slew of "modules". Once these start to fail, you have a lemon on your hands. And once its out of warranty, forget getting help from the dealership. They dont want to honor their own warranty and the parent company turns a deaf ear to customers, claiming they cannot control dealers.

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  Worst car I have even owned! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Jennifer - October 5 - 10:37 am

  This is the worst vechile I have ever owned. I bought it brand new and have had to bring it to the dealer 10 times to fix non-routine maintence items. Brakes went out, check engine light is on all the time and the dealership cant fix it (brought in 5 times), AC broke twice, wind shield wiper motors broke. Only 40K miles! I wouldnt wish this SUV on my worst enemy.