Dodge Durango Review

2009 Dodge Durango Limited HEV SUV Shown

Though the Dodge Durango is classified as a midsize sport-utility vehicle, its designers have typically set out to make it about half a size larger in order to fill the niche between the midsize SUV and full-size SUV classes. Dodge's hope is that the Durango will therefore be appealing to SUV customers who need more interior room and towing capability than a midsize SUV can typically provide, but have neither the garage space for a full-size sport-ute nor the desire to drive something so cumbersome on a day-to-day basis.

The Dodge Durango's hefty dimensions pay dividends inside, where up to three rows of seats are available. Underneath are sturdy body-on-frame mechanicals and the option for a powerful V8 engine. These attributes allow families of various sizes to travel in comfort while towing a camper or boat. On the downside, the Durango's relative heft translates into a hearty appetite for gasoline, and it's a truck, so its handling is ungainly compared to car-based crossovers. Still, the Durango's plus-size approach may appeal to traditional SUV shoppers who require its brawny capabilities.

Current Dodge Durango

The current Dodge Durango is available in SE, midgrade SLT and Limited trim levels and it comes with one of three engines: a 210-horsepower V6, a 303-hp V8 and a Hemi 376-hp V8. These are offered with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. Alternatively, a single-speed transfer case can be specified on select 4WD models, which essentially means that you can get a Durango with all-wheel drive. All Durangos come with automatic transmissions as standard -- four-speeds for the V6, five for the V8s.

In an interesting side story, the Durango Limited HEV hybrid, a two-mode hybrid featuring a Hemi V8 (345 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque), two electric motors (87 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque) and a dual-mode transmission with variable ratios, was cancelled shortly after its debut but may still be available on dealer lots.

In reviews of the Durango, we've found that it handles adequately for a traditional body-on-frame SUV, though car-based crossover SUVs are superior. Interior quality is a couple notches below what we've come to expect from family-friendly utility vehicles. Given the Durango's mass, the V8s are preferable for towing and acceleration. Still, fuel economy is no better than that of a full-size SUV. Overall, we would only recommend the aging Durango if you need a big SUV that can tow and haul a lot of stuff.

Used Dodge Durango Models

The current second-generation Dodge Durango debuted for the 2004 model year. Side airbags and refreshed styling arrived for 2006. Until 2008, the Durango's 4.7-liter V8 was not as powerful or fuel-efficient as it is now -- it made just 230 hp. Also, the Hemi V8 was limited to 330 hp until 2008. That year also saw the advent of 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. Model-year 2009 was notable for both the debut and cancellation of the Durango Limited HEV hybrid.

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 considered midsize, but 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, our editors 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, the Durango was never intended to be a pampered garage queen. Among families who needed a real workhorse and not a showcar, the Dodge Durango made many friends.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.