Used 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Refined SUV that is better than it's name
MikefromWisconsin, Elkhorn, WI, 09/15/2015
2015 Dodge Durango Citadel 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
So far after about 6 months, the only complaint I have is its called a Durango, that's it. Other vehicles we own/have owned include Lexus, Toyota, and Audi. Honestly, we went into this SUV search thinking we wanted a Highlander, Lexus GX, or GMC Acadia Denali. What came out of over a year of research and test drives? There is a reason why Fiat was considering making this a Jeep and … removing the Dodge badge, because, in the higher trims, this is a high-class vehicle. In the end, with the Citadel trim, and everything, black/tan interior, I just love it, love the curves, love the high-end but simple interior, the easiest to use Nav/Ent system on the market, plenty of cargo room, drives smooth, just love it. I had a guy yesterday walking in the sailing yacht club parking lot who saw me driving by slowly from the front/side ask me if that was the new Mercedes, not kidding. It really reminds me of a smooth Lexus to be honest. Our second choice was probably the Acadia Denali, with the two-tone interior which was our favorite, it seems several people we know with the Lamba line vehicles have had major repairs, didn't have the power/pull the Durango did, had less room (I'm 6'3" 250lbs, so this is important), and the nav/ent system was complicated, at best.
The only drawback? Well, it says Dodge on the car. Honestly, that is what held us back. Had it been a Jeep, Toyota, Lexus....it would have been easier. Durango just doesn't align with how refined this vehicle is, especially in the upper trims.
Originally, we thought we wanted the hemi, but I found the V6 to be just as fast at acceleration, but probably less torque, so if you pull trailers a lot, go with the hemi, but if you are like me, and only do it 3 times a year ,the V6 is more than adequate.
To Durango or not to Durango?
Audra, Louisville, KY, 12/22/2015
2015 Dodge Durango Citadel 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
My husband and I have expanded our family with a new baby so it was time to upgrade our vehicle. We looked at several SUV’s from Chevy to Toyota, crossing Buicks and Fords, we even visited the jeep. The Durango was the very first vehicle I drove (test) and none of the other really gave us what all we wanted not only in space and safety but also price and comfort. We also have a 21 foot … camper we haul therefore whichever vehicle we bought would need appropriate towing capabilities.
Our dealership really hooked us up with some awesome warranties and life time powertrain coverage (with stipulations). Thus our buying experience was very pleasing after 10 days of running around everywhere comparing.
Now I have owned my new Durango for almost a month. My review…I love how it drives and hugs the road. My children have their own separate seats and there is no issue with crossing each other’s paths. I am pleased that if one of them turns on the lights in the back, it does not cause any distractions with my driving; I do not even know it’s on actually. Most of the extras like heated seats and multi adjusting seats are nice to have for convince and comfort. My husband is 6”6 and husky. I am 5”9 and a lil fluffy and we have plenty of room together no matter who’s driving. I can also sit in the back seat and tend to my newborn comfortably. Third row seats, my four year old love them.
The GPS is a pain is the bottom though. It is one that I am working on figuring out. The voice recognition is not exactly my cup of tea. It’s like asking for a representative when you call the IRS… I do have a slight accent so I am not sure if this is the issue. Works good for making phone calls but if I want to go somewhere new I have to add 5 minutes to my itinerary to mess with it and pray I don’t hit it with a hammer.
The Automatic high beams are not as punctual as I would like them to be. I feel I blind a quarter of the other drivers and another quarter thinks I am a vixen because the high beams flash on and off at times making it seem as though I am asking them to dim their light…thus I get flashed back. And last the rear hatch door does not seem to have a safety sensor for object in the way while it automatically shuts. So push the button and shuffle quickly out of the way.
The good thing is, is that all my issues can be resolved by disabling them through the vehicles settings.
I hope this helps anyone looking into this vehicle, as for me I will be keeping mine for a while!
Beware the MPG and the noises
Simon Facer, Sparta, NJ, 04/15/2016
2015 Dodge Durango Citadel 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
I've been driving SUVs for 20 years, up until recently GM vehicles - Blazers, Tahoe and Yukon. I traded my Yukon Denali (6.2L V8) in for a Durango (3.6L V6) - I didn't want to pay for 15MPG any more. I thought that if I can get 15mpg out of a V8 6.2L tank like the Yukon, I should be able get low 20's out of a smaller and lighter Durango. Not so, the fuel economy is incredibly … disappointing, even with a very light foot on the highway, I struggle to get more than 20mpg. The quoted figures are probably legal, but they aren't real world - you will not get 25mpg even on a long highway run, unless you are cruising on a perfectly flat road at (probably) 56mph.
The build quality is OK, but for a top of the line model (Citadel), the trim level is surprisingly disappointing (a word that crops up too much with this car). No sill plates, door trim is showing signs of wear after 3 months, carpet over the 3rd row of seats is showing signs of strain where it stretches over the interior mechanism. I have little confidence in the longevity of this good looks of this vehicle.
There is a 'nice' rattle, like a handful of pebbles rolling around on a plastic tray coming from somewhere under the dash, on both sides. And the really worrying thing is that the noise goes away when it rains - not only is there something in there that can't get out, but it's also open to the elements - can you image the rust trap that I can?
The engine is marginally powerful enough. In order to make it handle better, they made the transmission lazy - it doesn't shift anywhere near soon enough. I can be on a flat road, or even going downhill, with my foot almost completely off the gas pedal and the engine at 3K+ RPM, and it refuses to shift into a higher gear. I have gotten into the habit of paddle shifting I up a gear or two and then putting it back into full auto. The lazy shift is almost certainly a reason why the MPG is poor.
On the plus side, the electronics are good, the sound system is good and it is fairly nimble for an SUV, I travel a lot for work and get to drive vehicles other than my SUV's, so it's not a nice nimble Lexus, but it isn't the tank that I had before, and it handles reasonably well.
I will not be buying another Dodge based on the experience with this one so far, buyers remorse indeed.
MB to Dodge
W Hunt, Chicago, IL, 09/29/2015
2015 Dodge Durango Citadel 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
Traded in my ML500 for the citadel and am a happy camper. It's one of the best SUV's that have owned. Blows the MB away.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Easy to maneuver
- Pro:well-trimmed, high-tech cabin
- Pro:powerful optional V8
- Pro:generous towing capacity
- Pro:available 4WD with low-range gearing.
- Con:ess maximum cargo room than rivals
- Con:mediocre ride quality on rough roads.
Full Edmunds Review: 2015 Dodge Durango SUV
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2015 Dodge Durango in Ohio is:
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