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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  Not A Good Choice, Or I Got A Bad One - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By WCleaver - October 3 - 2:38 pm

  Had to replace engine at 86,000 miles. This is due to an engine sludge problem Dodge doesnt want to talk about. The limited slip differential needed rebuilding at 91,000 miles. Any dealer would say these troubles are do the lack of maintanence, not true in my case. Im done with DaimlerChrysler Croporation.

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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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  Overheating - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By jsmith - June 29 - 3:17 pm

  What a pig. I like to buy cars and drive them forever. I had this Durango in the dealer for overheating problems no less than 5 times over the course of 1.5 yrs. (yes I am stubborn). New water pump, new radiator, new thermostat, new hoses... still overheats. Replaced sway bars and a few yrs later the front end squeeks again. Fast truck and fun to drive. But not reliable and terrible mileage (14-15 on the hwy doing avg 70-75). Hit a bump and youre airborne. You can do better.

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  Bumpy roads ahead - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By bdomnor - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Get ready for a rough ride! This thing sucks when it comes to a smooth ride, even worse off road. With 6 people, it becomes even more horrific. The noise and bumpiness makes everyone in the cabin sick. Total waste of gas.

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  Front end junk - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By bobc57 - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Front components junk, brakes/rotors every 20K highway miles, tie rods, upper/lower ball joints, wheel bearings. water pump @40K, ABS module. All periodic maintenance done by the dealer per manufactures schedule.

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  What a Lemon - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Ian from Denver - February 9 - 8:35 pm

  Ive had this 2005 Durango SLT w/ HEMI since Sept 2005. So far it has been a HUGE disappointment. Things that went wrong with it: 1) The CD player stopped ejecting CDs within the 1st month. 2) The front passanger door was bent and the dealership had to adjust it. 3) There is a constant air leak from all windows. At speeds of 60+ mph it gets rather noisy inside. 4) The overdrive off (or as they call it tow/haul)works whenever it wants to. 5) Going down steep hills in 2nd gear the vehicle keeps accelerating and slowing down on its own - cant keep a constant speed. 6) Even w/ the HEMI it is very sluggish and underpowered. No pickup at all - my LIBERTY accelerates better.

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  What a piece of garbage - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By bhoffman - December 11 - 9:11 pm

  My only hope is to warn others to look closely at this vehicle before purchasing. Two weeks after I brought it home, the electrical system burned out. After that, it was recalled for a sticking throttle. Following that, it developed a water leak which eventually led to moldy carpet padding. It took my dealer nearly 6 months to track it down. The transmission has been in for repairs 7 times! Its still not right! Unfortunetly, I was unable to invoke the lemon law on this one becuase I waived my rights as I bought it as a true employee purchase (through my father).

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  This car stinks - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Paula Dambroff - December 1 - 6:36 pm

  Lousy gas mileage, large blind spots, dash board panel is not thought out well, things are just stuck haphazardly around and the back seat is too small. Why did I get this car? I have no idea.... I want my Pathfinder back!

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  Garbage... - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By CozmoCarera - October 28 - 12:00 am

  I hate this car. I have a 99 Durango and I have had just about nothing but problems with it. I have had to replace everything... the transmition, every single belt that is under the hood, the power window mechanisms, and today i was driving down the highway and looked down and my speedometer was on 0. In other words, the speedometer is broken as well. The check engine light also decides that hes going to join in on the fun every month or so just for the heck of it. Grade A piece of crap. I wil most likely never buy a Chrysler product ever again.

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  Dont by a Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Sue Able - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my new durango to the dealer numerous times for an air conditioning problem. They can not fix it and just give me back my car. Now I am have electrical problems. Sometimes my car will not go into PARK it says park but when you let off the brake he goes in reverse. Very hazardous!!!!