Dodge describes its Durango as an SUV "for muscle car people with families." This has to be one of the rare instances where we can actually agree with marketing hype. Like the Charger sport sedan and the Challenger muscle car, the Durango has a distinctive square-shouldered design that exudes bravado. It backs up its beefy looks with best-in-class towing, enviable acceleration, and ample room for up to seven passengers.
For 2021, Dodge is updating the Durango lineup with an even more aggressive exterior design, a revised interior, additional technology features, and a new king of the Durango hill: the high-performance SRT Hellcat. Packing a 6.2-liter V8 borrowed from the Charger and Challenger Hellcats, the Durango SRT Hellcat develops a rather outrageous 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft. Sounds appropriate for a muscle SUV, right? To learn more about the Durango, check out our Expert Rating's in-depth evaluation.
The 2021 Dodge Durango is available in six trim levels: SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat. Dodge offers a choice of a V6 or one of three V8 engines. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most models. All-wheel drive is optional on most and standard on both SRT variants.
The Ford Explorer was one of the earliest vehicles to truly capitalize on the growing popularity of SUVs. The sixth-generation Explorer debuted in 2020 with an all-new design inside and out, a lineup of new engines (including a hybrid), and the latest tech and driver aids Ford has to offer. We like the Explorer's tow rating and sizable cargo area but found the interior to feel a bit cheap for what you pay.
If passenger and cargo space is your No. 1 priority, the Chevy Traverse is a compelling crossover SUV. The interior is massive, offering significantly more cargo and passenger space than the Durango. But that's really the extent of our praise. The Traverse lacks any real personality especially compared to the muscle car-like Durango.
The Kia Telluride is Edmunds' top-rated SUV. Its V6 engine can't match the Durango's power, especially when it's equipped with a V8. But it excels at just about everything we look for in a three-row SUV. It's comfortable and spacious and features a decent amount of standard tech. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Kia Telluride.
Described by its manufacturer as an SUV "for muscle car people with families," the Dodge Durango is a burly crossover that looks, sounds and feels aggro. The refreshed 2021 model is a Durango that was sent to reform school, got kicked out for bad behavior, and came back angrier and ready to unleash its fury.
All powertrains carry over for 2021, including the standard 3.6-liter V6 that churns out 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Though the output isn't anything to write home about, the V6 gives the Durango competitive acceleration and 6,200 pounds of towing ability — a higher figure than its rivals.
Whichever trim you select, the interior updates are a welcome addition. The Durango's increased use of leather trim and chrome accenting presents a cabin far more upscale than the previous model's spartan accommodations. The SRT Hellcat is particularly handsome and dresses up the interior in suede and carbon-look trim. The underlying strengths of the Durango seem intact: tons of interior room for both passengers and cargo, plush seating and decent outward visibility.
Inside, a new 10.1-inch touchscreen running FCA's new Uconnect 5 is the center of attention. Dodge says the new system is considerably faster than its previous incarnation, and it offers more features to boot. Two phones can be connected via Bluetooth, so DJ functions can be handled by multiple passengers, and there's a deep level of integration with Amazon Alexa. The 2021 Durango will also be one of the only vehicles in its class to offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Stuffing a 710-horsepower V8 into a decade-old SUV is an eyebrow-raising proposition, but Dodge has thoroughly upgraded the Durango to cope with the extra power. Compared to last year's SRT 392, the Hellcat's suspension revisions should better control the Durango's body roll, and understeer is said to be reduced. A new front fascia with a chin splitter and the revised rear spoiler create extra downforce to keep the wheels planted under heavy acceleration, while larger front brake rotors help quickly bring the big SUV to a halt.
Edmunds saysThis Dodge Durango generation is beginning to show its age, so a healthy update to its exterior styling and interior accommodations are more than welcome. The new SRT Hellcat was a long time coming, but the wait is (almost) finally over.
The Dodge Durango is a three-row SUV. It's particularly impressive as a tow vehicle, with a tow rating as high as 8,700 pounds and an aggressive, brawny character on the road. It owes part of that character to its bulky styling, but it's also due to its available V8 powertrains — a 5.7-liter V8 and a 6.4-liter V8. On the inside, the Durango is comfortable and spacious, with a large, easy-to-use infotainment interface.
For 2021, we expect some big updates for the Durango. On the outside, the Durango will likely get a new front fascia with a new front bumper and new headlights. These expected changes could have something to do with the updated engines likely to be sliding in behind the new fascia: Dodge's supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 and the V8 paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that's currently being used in the Ram 1500. We expect these versions of the Dodge Durango to sit above standard V6 and V8 versions in the trim level structure.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Dodge Durango:
The least-expensive 2021 Dodge Durango is the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT 392 4dr SUV AWD (6.4L 8cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $64,570.
Other versions include:
