Dodge Durango SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
Now in its second generation after a one-year hiatus in production, the 2012 Dodge Durango SUV has been fully redesigned to handle better on the road, whether it's maneuvering in urban traffic or along the long windy highway pavement. The exterior conveys some sleek styling while the interior boasts a refined and upscale cabin. The Dodge Durango SUV is a large crossover SUV that seats up to seven adults comfortably in three rows of spacious seats.
The Dodge Durango SUV is available in four trim levels. The base SXT features side view mirrors that are heated, cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, climate control with three zones and air-conditioning for the rear seats, second and third row seats that split and fold, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and an audio system with six speakers, a CD player and satellite radio. The mid-level Crew has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front seats that are powered eight ways for the driver and six ways for the passenger, remote ignition, memory functions for the driver seat, and an upgraded audio system with nine speakers, a touchscreen display, storage for digital music and interfaces for a USB port and the iPod. The R/T level of the Dodge Durango SUV upgrades the performance of the vehicle to include a V8 engine, sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, faux suede upholstery and body-color accents. The high end Citadel model has leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a navigation system.
The base engine in the Dodge Durango SUV is a 3.6 liter V6 which can produce 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Full-time all-wheel drive is available only with the V6 engine but rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are also available. Standard is a five-speed automatic transmission with the V6 engine. Fuel economy for the Dodge Durango SUV V6 is 16 mpg city, 23 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined. The standard engine for the R/T and optional on the Crew and Citadel models is a 5.7 liter V8 that can produce 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional on-demand four-wheel drive that uses dual-range gearing. Fuel economy for the V8 engine is rated at 13 mpg city, 20 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg combined.
The interior of the Dodge Durango SUV is attractive with family-style functionality the primary focus. Materials are durable yet upscale. The three rows of seats are spacious and comfortable and offer a great deal of leg- and head-room for even the largest adults. Cargo capacity for the Dodge Durango SUV is 84.5 cubic feet with the second and third row of seats folded down. With regard to safety, the Dodge Durango SUV was rated "Good" in all the tests run by the Insurance Institute for Highway safety.
Weighing in at close to 5,000 pounds, the Dodge Durango SUV readily controls the road and is easy to maneuver for a vehicle of its size. Acceleration is acceptable with the V6 engine but overall performance is improved with the V8 engine. With a quiet cabin, the vehicle is a pleasure to drive whether on the urban streets or the long, sprawling highway.
The Dodge Durango SUV is available in four trim levels. The base SXT features side view mirrors that are heated, cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, climate control with three zones and air-conditioning for the rear seats, second and third row seats that split and fold, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and an audio system with six speakers, a CD player and satellite radio. The mid-level Crew has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front seats that are powered eight ways for the driver and six ways for the passenger, remote ignition, memory functions for the driver seat, and an upgraded audio system with nine speakers, a touchscreen display, storage for digital music and interfaces for a USB port and the iPod. The R/T level of the Dodge Durango SUV upgrades the performance of the vehicle to include a V8 engine, sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, faux suede upholstery and body-color accents. The high end Citadel model has leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a navigation system.
The base engine in the Dodge Durango SUV is a 3.6 liter V6 which can produce 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Full-time all-wheel drive is available only with the V6 engine but rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are also available. Standard is a five-speed automatic transmission with the V6 engine. Fuel economy for the Dodge Durango SUV V6 is 16 mpg city, 23 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined. The standard engine for the R/T and optional on the Crew and Citadel models is a 5.7 liter V8 that can produce 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional on-demand four-wheel drive that uses dual-range gearing. Fuel economy for the V8 engine is rated at 13 mpg city, 20 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg combined.
The interior of the Dodge Durango SUV is attractive with family-style functionality the primary focus. Materials are durable yet upscale. The three rows of seats are spacious and comfortable and offer a great deal of leg- and head-room for even the largest adults. Cargo capacity for the Dodge Durango SUV is 84.5 cubic feet with the second and third row of seats folded down. With regard to safety, the Dodge Durango SUV was rated "Good" in all the tests run by the Insurance Institute for Highway safety.
Weighing in at close to 5,000 pounds, the Dodge Durango SUV readily controls the road and is easy to maneuver for a vehicle of its size. Acceleration is acceptable with the V6 engine but overall performance is improved with the V8 engine. With a quiet cabin, the vehicle is a pleasure to drive whether on the urban streets or the long, sprawling highway.
I purcahsed this as a new vechile. When I recieved it there was 56 miles on the odometer. At mile 65 the check engine light came on. I didn't even make it home with it before it broke. After which it had been in the shop for 12 days for repairs. I literally had the car for 10 hours in the last 12 days.