2012 Dodge Durango Review
2012 Dodge Durango Review





+197
Used Durango for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sophisticated ride
- easy to maneuver
- adult-friendly third-row seat
- powerful optional V8
- generous towing capacity.
Cons
- Less cargo room than rivals
- V6's performance still not as sprightly as some rivals.
What’s new
For 2012, the Dodge Durango gets a few minor improvements. Among them are a six-speed automatic transmission for V8 models, newly available second-row captain's chairs and revised trim levels.
Edmunds says
Thanks chiefly to its welcoming interior and athletic yet comfortable handling, the 2012 Dodge Durango is fully competitive against top crossover SUVs.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Dodge Durango SXT 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$204/mo for Durango SXT
Durango SXT
vs
$239/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Vehicle overview
Last year, the Dodge Durango SUV returned to the market after a one-year hiatus. Fully redesigned, the latest Durango is a much different and much better vehicle than the generation that came before. With improved handling and ride dynamics, a nicer interior and a more refined and powerful V6, Dodge's full-size SUV gets a level of respect that the old Durango couldn't have gotten if Nelson Mandela himself was behind the wheel.
As expected, this year's 2012 Dodge Durango has the same positive qualities going for it. We're particularly fond of its sleek styling and upscale cabin. As a large crossover SUV, the Durango can seat up to seven passengers. It is also pretty easy to maneuver and rides well on both the highway and city streets.
Although it cranks out nearly 300 horsepower, the 3.6-liter V6 still boasts relatively good fuel economy numbers. The Durango's specialty, however, lies with its available V8. A nice choice for those who need added muscle for bigger hauling and towing duties, the V8-powered Durango can pull up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped -- a figure that's more than what most other competitors can manage.
If you don't require such heavy hauling ability but do need three rows of adult-friendly seats, then there are other worthwhile choices to consider. Among them are the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, Mazda CX-9 and the Durango's most obvious competitor, the recently redesigned Ford Explorer. Honestly, there's not a bad one in the bunch, but if you're looking for a vehicle with sharp styling, lots of features and high recreational abilities, the Durango is an excellent choice.
Performance & mpg
The 2012 Dodge Durango is offered in several powertrain combinations. You can choose rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Except for the V6-only SXT, rear-drive versions offer a choice of V6 or V8 power. The full-time AWD system is only available with the V6 engine. The on-demand 4WD system features dual-range gearing (which makes it more capable on more challenging terrain) and requires the V8 engine.
Standard on all but the R/T is the 3.6-liter V6 engine, which is rated at 290 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard. In Edmunds performance testing, a V6 Durango went from zero to 60 mph in 9 seconds, a bit slower than most competing crossovers. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for the V6 with all-wheel drive.
Optional on the Crew and Citadel, and standard on the R/T is a 5.7-liter V8 good for 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The AWD V8 is rated at 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every 2012 Dodge Durango. The Citadel also comes with blind-spot monitoring and cross-path warning systems, which are both optional on the Crew. In Edmunds brake testing, a Durango Crew came to a stop from 60 mph in 119 feet -- a very good distance for a large crossover.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the Durango earned a perfect "Good" rating for its performance in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests.
Driving
The 2012 Dodge Durango is related to the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and it shows in the way this nearly 5,000-pound vehicle drives down the road. The Durango feels controlled in almost any driving situation, and the responsive nature of the steering makes the Durango easy to maneuver.
Low-end torque is not a strong suit of the V6, but once the Dodge Durango is moving, the engine pulls respectably. Midrange acceleration is adequate for passing and merging and indeed there's little reason to sweat the additional second or two it takes the Durango to reach 60 mph compared to its fleeter rivals. As expected, the V8 offers brisk all-around performance. On a long interstate cruise, the Durango provides a quiet and relaxed cabin environment.
Interior
Modern and functional, the 2012 Dodge Durango's cabin has been designed with family-style versatility in mind. Regardless of trim level, the design is attractive and features upscale materials.
Chrysler's latest batch of digital-entertainment options (a 28GB hard drive, satellite radio and TV) should appeal to both kids and tech-savvy parents; however, the available touchscreen interface isn't the most user-friendly or advanced. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, but the second row has a rather flat cushion (which helps promote a flatter load floor when the seat is folded) and doesn't offer quite as much legroom as roomier rivals. The Durango's easily accessed third row, on the other hand, offers a surprising amount of leg- and headroom (even for 6-footers) and is indeed more spacious than the Ford Explorer's.
With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the Durango can carry up to 84.5 cubic feet of cargo. This is a respectable amount, but competing large crossover SUVs can offer even more rear-passenger and/or cargo space.
2012 Dodge Durango models
The 2012 Dodge Durango large crossover SUV is available in four trim levels: base SXT, midlevel Crew, performance-themed R/T and top-of-the-line Citadel.
Standard equipment on the SXT includes 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglamps, heated sideview mirrors, full power accessories, cruise control, tri-zone automatic climate control (includes separate rear air-conditioning), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 60/40-split-folding and reclining second-row seat, a 50/50-split-folding third-row seat and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
The Crew adds remote ignition, a power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a cargo compartment cover, power front seats (eight-way driver, six-way passenger), driver-seat memory functions, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless ignition/entry, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a 115-volt power outlet, Bluetooth (phone and streaming audio) and an upgraded nine-speaker sound system with a touchscreen display, a USB/iPod interface, digital music storage and voice activation.
The R/T essentially includes the upgrades of the Crew (minus the parking sensors and rearview camera) along with a V8 engine, 20-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, body-color accents, xenon headlights, faux-suede upholstery and power driver lumbar support.
Stepping up from the Crew to the Citadel adds automatic xenon headlamps, 20-inch wheels, a chrome grille insert, automatic wipers, a sunroof, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a navigation system with Sirius Travel Link.
Many of the Citadel's luxury features are available on the Crew and the R/T. Options for the whole lineup include second-row captain's chairs, a towing package, a skid-plate package (except R/T) and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with satellite TV (except SXT).
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Dodge Durango.
5 star(64%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(5%)
45 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Wow, what a vehicle!
jasonmoore, 09/22/2011
2012 Dodge Durango Citadel 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
(BTW, this is a review of the Citadel V8 model, not available to choose from the list) I origiannaly had a 2011 Traverse and it was a nice vehicle with some great room and features. I was however, unhappy with the looks of it as well as the cheap "feel" of the interior. (I owned the LTZ model)
I was always looking for a nice suv that had a more manly style and still had the luxury … inside without paying for an escalade.
Enter the 2012 Durango Citadel! OMG, this vehicle has it all. All of the cool tech features you could ever want, super luxurious interior, and a badass look on the outside! If there is one caveat I have, it is the plastic rim covers. An amazing vehicle overall!
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great SUV
write_erase, 09/02/2011
2012 Dodge Durango Crew 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
We wanted to replace my wifes 07 Lexus RX with a bigger vehicle so she test drove a 2012 Explorer and then the 2012 Durango. I went with her on the Durango test drive only so I cannot compare it to the Explorer, but I was totally impressed with the Durango after seeing how good it looks and driving it. It handles much better than our Lexus with hardly any body lean at all. I was so … impressed that I did not see the need to test drive anything else.
My wife liked the Durango better than the Explorer because of how it drove, the 2nd and 3rd row seat space was better, and the technology/controls are easier to use. For example the navigation in the Durango is a Garmin unit that is really easy to use, she said the Explorer navigation system seemed like it was going to be a lot more complicated and she might need to take a class to learn how to use the touch system.
We did not want to get leather in this vehicle yet we were able to get a ton of other features. Most other brands make you buy their leather package to get push-button start, 2 driver position presets, rain sensing wipers, upgraded stereo, etc. I think a Honda I bought one time I had to buy their leather package just to get a sunroof. We got all these things and did not have to buy leather that we were not interested in. The base stereo in the Crew is a 9 speaker Alpine system with a 500 Watt amp. This is the base stereo and is not an extra charge, I was totally surprised to learn this when I saw the Alpine amp in the back. We also got the navigation which I think added a 40GB hard drive to store music on. I have never owned a Chrysler or Dodge vehicle in my life but this seemed like a really easy choice for both me and my wife after looking at the Durango up close.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Never thought I'd be back in a Dodge.
josm, 06/19/2012
2012 Dodge Durango Crew 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
After a couple of foreign cars I'm back in a dodge and my first SUV. We traded a mazda 5 for this as we had a third kid recently and the 5 (although great) was just too small.
The Durango is a beautiful machine, it's well made and drives very well. My biggest surprise is the mpgs. I've only had it a few days but I'm consistently getting 18-19 mpgs in the city. Also on a hilly drive home … from the dealership in Jefferson City MO to Columbia MO I averaged 25.4 mpgs. Both these numbers beat our minivan. Our little mazda 5 only got 22 not mater where or how I drove it. Just keep that rev counter in the green zone and you'll match me easily.
5 out of 5 stars
Love it
kallionus, 12/09/2011
2012 Dodge Durango Crew 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
We have owned the vehicle for just over 2 months and we love it.
Dodge finally paid attention to details on the interior.
The leather is top quality, steering wheel feels great, wood trim is quality and does not look like cheap stick on wood, perfect ambient lighting (cupholders, doorhandles etc...), Nav with Garmin is on point.
We drive a lot and freeway we average from 23-24 mpg.
Nice … size gas tank so we can drive 500 miles on one tank.
Personally speaking, I love driving the car.
Ride is great.
I think it is a smoother ride than an A6 I owned a few years ago.
I would consider this vehicle without question
2012 Durango Highlights
SXT
Base MSRP | $28,995 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $204/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover22.8%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.5 average Rating out of 13 reviews. |
Starting at $36,760 |
4.0 average Rating out of 26 reviews. |
Starting at $39,535 |
3.4 average Rating out of 43 reviews. |
Starting at $35,890 |
Related Used 2012 Dodge Durango info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Honda Insight 2020 Review
- Honda Passport 2020 Review
- Honda Insight 2021 Review
- Honda Odyssey 2021 Review
- Honda Odyssey 2020 Review
Shop similar models
- Mazda CX-90 2024
- Volkswagen Touareg 2017
- Jeep Grand-cherokee-srt 2017
- Jaguar F-pace 2023
- Mercedes-benz Gl-class 2016
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Dodge Durango 2020
- Used Dodge Durango 2015
- Used Dodge Durango 2014
- Used Dodge Durango 2012
- Used Dodge Durango 2019
- Used Dodge Durango 2011
- Used Dodge Durango 2017
- Used Dodge Durango 2016
- Used Dodge Durango 2018
- Used Dodge Durango 2013
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
- 2022 Honda Civic
- 2023 Mazda CX-5
- 2024 Ford Mustang
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
- A Subaru Ascent
- Mazda CX 90
- Lincoln Nautilus
- 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia
- 2022 Honda Ridgeline
Research recent models from same make
- Dodge Demon For Sale
- Charger
- 2022 Dodge Charger
- 2023 Durango
- 2022 Challenger
- Dodge Challenger 2022
- Dodge Challenger 2022
- 2022 Dodge Charger
- Dodge Challenger 2022
- Dodge Durango 2024
Research similar vehicles
- Nissan Murano Murano
- Toyota Venza 2023
- Genesis GV70
- 2022 Kia Telluride
- Cadillac XT5
- BZ4X
- Volvo XC60
- Honda HR-V 2022
- Mazda CX 9 For Sale
- Acurazine RDX
Other models
- New BMW Alpina-B8-Gran-Coupe for Sale in Ithaca, NY
- Used GMC Sierra-1500Hd in Auburn, CA
- Used BMW M3 in Sylva, NC
- Used Mazda CX-90 in Ellicott City, MD
- New Nissan Kicks for Sale in Mill Valley, CA
- New Toyota GR86 for Sale in San Bruno, CA
- Used Hummer H1-Alpha in Conway, SC
- Used BMW X6-M in Hudson, NH
- Used Chevrolet Malibu-Maxx in Passaic, NJ
- Used Mazda CX-7 in Manheim, PA