One of the giant midsize SUVs, the 2023 Dodge Durango has an overall length of 200.8 inches (201 for the Hellcat). All versions starting in 2022 come standard with third-row seating, which was once only offered as an option on the five-passenger variant. The Durango first appeared in 2011 and hasn’t undergone significant redesigns since. Consequently, the muscular SUV performs poorly regarding basic safety features, fuel efficiency, and interior technology. However, the Durango still has a lot of tricks up its sleeve, particularly in the area of performance.
The Durango has always been supported on an expanded version of the two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee’s chassis. Unfortunately, the Durango was left behind by a decade’s development when the 2022 Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L switched to a newer, more sophisticated platform. Dodge has increased the standard content of the Durango by adding previously optional options to all trim levels of the vehicle to alleviate customers until a new Durango arrives for the 2024 model year. This should enable it to compete well against the Ford Explorer, the more minivan-like Chevrolet Traverse, and the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
Despite how large and robust the Durango looks, the Traverse and the Grand Cherokee L are larger yet approaching full size. They differ from the large, body-on-frame SUVs that are more prevalent in that category. The Durango is the smallest of the four in width, giving up two inches to the Jeep and three inches to the Chevy and the Ford in exchange for a bit less elbow space. Even yet, the inside of the Dodge is roomy and comfortable, though not exceptionally wealthy.
Nine trim levels are available for the Durango: the basic SXT ($40,090 including destination), GT ($42,590), GT Plus ($47,085), R/T ($53,190), Citadel ($54,090), R/T HEMI Orange Label ($55,580), R/T ($58,185), SRT 392 ($71,890), and SRT Hellcat ($92,780). Lower trim levels have a more practical feel, and setting the outstanding available sound system down exposes noises that should have been fixed in a vehicle with the Durango’s extended manufacturing run. However, performance and towing capacity remain the SUV’s finest qualities.
The 3.6-liter V6 engine used in most Durango grades (SXT, GT, GT Plus, and Citadel) has a commendable towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for a midsize SUV. However, the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine that is standard on R/T and R/T Plus versions (and is an option on Citadel) allows for a maximum towing capability of 8,700 pounds, which is by far the greatest in the midsize class and on par with several full-size vehicles. The SRT Hellcat and the SRT 392 can tow the same 8,700 pounds thanks to their powerful 6.2-liter V8 engines.
The Durango has a respectable turn of speed thanks to the 5.7-litre engine, but more can be had. The 6.2 litre V8 engine in the Durango SRT Hellcat produces an exhilarating 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. That translates to significant acceleration at far less cost than high-performance SUVs like the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. The drawback of all this strength? The combined fuel efficiency figure for the Dodge Durango Hellcat is a dismal 13 miles per gallon.
What’s New:
- Hellcat Version Returns: The Hellcat variant, known for its high-performance engine, returns in this model.
- Four Additional Exterior Colors: More color options enhance the vehicle’s customization.
- Heated Front Seats as Standard: Previously an optional or higher-trim feature, heated front seats are now standard across all versions.
- Optional Forward Collision Warning on SXT: This safety feature, which helps prevent accidents by warning of impending collisions, is now available on the SXT trim level.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- 710 Horsepower in Hellcat Guise indicates a potent engine, typically found in high-performance cars.
- Best-in-Class Towing Capacity: The vehicle excels in towing heavy loads, indicating robust engineering.
- Roomy Third Row: Offers ample space in the third-row seating, which is a valuable feature for larger families or those needing extra passenger capacity.
Cons:
- 12-Year-Old Design: The design has not been significantly updated for 12 years, which might make it look outdated compared to newer models.
- Few Active Safety Features on SXT and GT: The lower trims (SXT and GT) may lack modern active safety features that are becoming standard in the automotive industry.
- Uncompetitive Fuel Economy: The vehicle does not perform well in fuel efficiency, which could concern cost-conscious buyers or those looking for environmentally friendly options.
Performance: Dodge Durango
A 3.6-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, powers the Durango SXT, GT, GT Plus, and Citadel versions. This provides power and performance on par with the 310-horsepower Traverse and the 300-horsepower basic engine in the Ford Explorer. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8’s 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque are superior to most other midsize SUVs. However, Ford provides the Explorer ST with 400 horsepower, and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L employs the HEMI with 357 horsepower. All except the Jeep aren’t especially strong off-road.
The 710-horsepower Durango SRT Hellcat, which will sprint to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds after accounting for the one-foot rollout, has no direct rivals from non-premium companies. The SRT Hellcat can garner absolute respect as a rowdy alternative to AMG and M-badged Germans. The maximum towing capability of the Durango is likewise impressive: 6,200 pounds with the V6 or 8,700 pounds with a V8; however, the 5.7 needs a towing kit (it can pull 7,200 pounds without it). These midsize SUV performance figures are best-in-class, even without the towing option.
Fuel efficiency: Dodge Durango
Durango’s power and hauling strength are paid for at the petrol pump. The Explorer’s 21 combined mpg, the Traverse’s 20 combined mpg, and the Grand Cherokee L’s 21 combined are comparable to the V6-powered, three-row competitors’ 21 combined mpg (19 city and 26 highway, one less each with four-wheel drive). However, it falls short of the class’s four-cylinder turbocharged or hybrid choices.
Consider it a price for the 5.7-litre V8’s higher towing capacity of 2700 pounds above the V6: the Durango uses gasoline at 17 mpg combined, 14 cities and 22 highways. No matter how you justify it, the SRT Hellcat is a thirsty outlier with just 13 mpg combined, 12 cities, and 17 streets.
The combined line-wide average of the two remaining Durango engines—5.7-liter HEMI V8 and 3.5-liter V6—would be 19 mpg, coming in last behind its most probable rivals even without taking into account the SRT’s combined estimate of 15 mpg and SRT Hellcat’s 13 mpg.
Safety & Driver Support
The 2022 Durango has a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four stars in the frontal crash test, five for side collisions, and just three for rollover. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also gave the Durango a “marginal” grade in its small front overlap accident test. The high, rounded front of the Durango and the large windscreen pillars decrease the forward view structurally.
The choice to reserve several active safety systems for higher trims prevents the Durango from receiving top safety ratings. Blind-spot monitoring is available on SXT and GT models, but no additional similar features—aside from forward collision warning—are offered, not even as part of a package. Even R/Ts don’t comprehend that. The array is more extensive in the GT Plus, Citadel, R/T Plus, and SRT 392 versions and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and forward automated emergency braking and collision warning.
Comfort and Space
The Durango’s comfortable seats and generally reasonable legroom are substantial selling advantages. The legroom in the third row of mid-sized vehicles is among the finest available. With a length of 33.5 inches, it is somewhat shorter than the spacious Atlas (33.7) from Volkswagen but slightly longer than the longer Traverse (33.48) and provides two more inches than Kia’s well-liked Telluride (31.4). The new Grand Cherokee L’s second-row dimension, which is 38.6 inches, is the same, and the Explorer and Traverse are within tenths of an inch.
The Durango features 40.3 inches of legroom and 39.9 inches of headroom for the front occupants. The Durango provides less front seat room than the other vehicles, 42.8 and 41.0 in the Traverse, 41.3 and 41.7 in the Atlas, and 40.9 and 41.4 in the Telluride, respectively. Legroom in the second row is 38.6 inches, compared to 38.4 inches in the Traverse, 37.6 inches in the Atlas, and 42.4 inches in the Telluride. Telluride’s statistics show it prefers front and second-row legroom above third-row legroom.
Infotainment: Dodge Durango
The outside style of the Durango hasn’t kept up with other Stellantis goods, but its inside has changed quite a bit. An 8.4-inch colour touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system are standard on the SXT. The screen is 10.1 inches on R/T and above trims, using Stellantis’ most recent Uconnect 5 software. The performance pages on the central display, which can register and track performance numbers like acceleration, quarter-mile times, and cornering, are a perk for buyers who choose the SRT and Hellcat models. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard across the board.
A 506-watt, nine-speaker Alpine audio system for the GT Plus may be purchased in the Premium Group for $2,845. The nine-speaker Alpine system is standard on the R/T, R/T HEMI Orange, Citadel, and SRT 392 models. A 760-watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio is available for the Citadel and SRT 392 for $1,085. Although it costs $4,500, the Harman Kardon system is included with the R/T HEMI Orange as part of the Hemi Orange Plus Package.
Storage & Cargo Space:
17.2 cubic feet of cargo space is available behind the third row of seats in the 2023 Dodge Durango, and 50.4 cubic feet when the seats are folded flat. There are 85.1 cubic feet of room when all the seats are folded.
The Durango is a large vehicle by midsize SUV standards. However, it is smaller than the Ford Explorer (18.2, 47.9, and 87.8 cubic feet), Chevrolet Traverse (23, 57.8, and 98.2 cubic feet), and Volkswagen Atlas (20.6, 55.5, and 96.8 cubic feet). Short item storage is also limited within the cabin by shallow door pockets and a short centre console.
Design: Dodge Durango
The Durango’s powerful shape remains recognizable after more than ten years on the road, yet it is still a stylish SUV with stocky proportions. Although the muscle-car SUV strategy isn’t for everyone, it was a creative way to distinguish the Durango in the increasingly crowded SUV market. In a manner, Dodge’s “throwback” strategy from 10 years ago foresaw a sizable portion of today’s SUV consumers.
The Dodge Durango 2023: Is It Worth It?
The starting price of the basic Durango SXT is $1,000 more than that of the base Explorer but $5,000 less than that of the brand-new Grand Cherokee L, even though the Grand Cherokee’s redesigned look, interior and optional plug-in hybrid engine significantly improve value. Unlike the Durango, the Grand Cherokee has adaptive cruise control and several other standard safety systems.
Though the Citadel, the base trim level needed for the mandatory active safety features we wouldn’t want to forgo, offers the most excellent value for purchasers considering keeping with the Durango, it is also the trim level with the fewest available options. A $3,995 upgrade from the V6 to the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, which has more power and a maximum towing capability of 2,700 pounds, is also something we’d advise. Although ineffective, it enhances Durango’s capabilities and enjoyment.
How Much Will a Dodge Durango Insurance Cost?
The insurance prices for the Dodge Durango are comparable to those of its competitors. However, they are more for the SRT 392 and Hellcat. Our statistics show that a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record may anticipate paying an average yearly premium of $2,066 for a basic Durango SXT and $2,222 for a Citadel. However, these figures are averages across all 50 states. In contrast, the Chevrolet Traverse costs $1,972, the Kia Telluride $1,920, the Ford Explorer $2,041, and the Volkswagen Atlas $1,976.
Dodge Durango – AG Generations
Third Generation
2011 to Present
2011 saw the release of the third-generation Durango, which skipped the 2010 model year. Dodge used a simple webpage with a picture of the new Durango to “leak” the news of the vehicle’s comeback. Although it shares the same architecture as the Grand Cherokee from Jeep, this version prioritizes comfort and on-road power over off-road prowess. 2014 saw a minor redesign that included a new external design and a contemporary eight-speed gearbox with a rotary shift knob. In 2021, Dodge updated the Durango’s design and interior while introducing the outrageous 710 horsepower Durango SRT Hellcat, adding a little piece of the brand’s muscle car magic to the vehicle.
Second Generation
2004 to 2009
For the 2004 model year, Dodge revamped the Durango, which once again shared some of its mechanical components and style with the Durango truck. With eight-person space, the new Durango was somewhat roomier than its predecessor. The ride and handling may be adjusted more precisely thanks to a redesigned coil spring rear suspension. A minor redesign 2007 included tire pressure monitoring, electronic stability control, and a redesigned fascia. The conclusion of the 2009 model year saw the discontinuation of the second-generation Durango.
First Generation
1998 to 2003
The first-generation Dodge Durango SUV had space for seven people and an uncompromising style, and it was based on the Dodge Durango midsize truck. Initially, a 5.2-liter “Magnum” V8 engine with four-wheel drive and a four-speed automatic gearbox served as its only powerplant. In 1999, a two-wheel drive variant was added to the range. In 2000, the 5.2-litre V8 was replaced with a 4.7-litre V8. For the 2001 model year, an updated interior was introduced.
Verdict
The 2023 Dodge Durango is a boldly retro vehicle. The Durango is unmatched by its rivals in interior technology, safety features, and fuel efficiency, but it excels in sheer power and aggressive appearance. The Durango is a hybrid of a midsize SUV and a muscle car, with a powerful 710 horsepower Hellcat V8 and up to 8,700 pounds of towing capability.
