Background: The Dodge Durango is back for more. First introduced in the fall of 1997 as a 1998 model year product, Durango appeals to rugged SUV shoppers looking for transportation falling between a mid-size and full-size sport utility vehicle. Like the first-generation version, this next-generation Durango includes three rows of seating in several trim levels, a feature very much in demand for a vehicle this size. The 2004 version is three inches wider, three inches taller and seven inches longer than last year. Durango represents the sole SUV offering in the Dodge lineup while several aggressive-looking pickups are offered including the compact Dakota and full-size Ram. While the first-generation Durango was based on the Dakota truck platform, the 2004 edition benefits from its own, stand-alone durable, off-road capable platform. DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group, assembles Durango in Newark, Delaware. Vehicles began arriving in dealers last November.
Trim level/Engines: Durango is available in three trim levels: ST, SLT and up-market, new for 2004 Limited. All are available with rear-wheel two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive choices. Second-generation models have more engine selections than before, including a V-6 engine (not available in first-generations models) and optional Hemi magnum engine. Base STs and mid-grade SLTs with rear-wheel drive come with the now available 3.7-liter overhead cam V-6 engine cranking out 210 horsepower and 235 lbs.-ft. of torque. Base STs, and mid-grade SLT with all-wheel drive along with Limited editions come with a 4.7-liter overhead cam V-8 producing 230 horses and 290 lbs.-ft of torque. This engine is the only one to return from 2003. New this year is the optional Hemi V-8 featuring a 5.7-liter displacement producing 330 horses and 370 lbs.-ft. of torque. The Hemi V-8 packs power, but the trade off is lower-than average fuel numbers. With all-wheel drive, the V-8 Durango Hemi averages 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 m.p.g. highway. The V-6 versions are teamed with a four-speed automatic transmission; the two V-8s have a five-speed automatic transmission. All engines utilize regular, unleaded gasoline. The larger 5.7-liter Hemi engine empowers Durango with more towing power than many of its full-size rivals.
Standard features: All three trim levels include: front and rear intermittent wipers, rear window defroster, power door locks, cruise control, power windows, tilt steering wheel, power outside mirrors, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with in-dash compact disc player and power steering. The SLT and Limited editions add a roof rack, rear air conditioning and eight-way power driver’s seat. Limited editions include heated outside mirrors, secondary radio controls, dual climate zones and eight-way power passenger bucket seat. Optional across the board are a rear DVD entertainment system, satellite radio and a sunroof.
Price: Dodge supplied the Daily Herald with an all-wheel drive Limited V-8 model with the Hemi V-8 and a $34,255 starting price. After adding in options including heated seats, traction control and a trailering package, the bottom line ended up at $37,320 including the $625 destination charge. The lowest-priced model, a rear-wheel drive ST with V-6 power starts at $25, 920; the four-wheel ST edition lists for $28,705 and comes with V-8 power. By comparison, a mid-size Ford Explorer with rear-wheel drive starts at $26,435 while its full size counterpart, the Ford Expedition with rear-drive checks in at $32,090. The Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, which is an extended version the mid-size Trailblazer and one of the vehicles closest in size to Durango, starts at $29,970 for a rear-wheel drive six cylinder edition.
Inside: Base SL versions include seating for five while the other two trims include third row seating. Cloth seating comes standard in SL and SLT while leather upholstery is the norm in Limited and optional in SLT. Second-row seating includes a 40/20/40 fold down backrest. Backrests fold directly onto the seats in both the second and third row. The outside second row seats tilt forward for access to the third row, which now feature a 50/50 split as opposed to the previous bench design. It still takes a big step to maneuver from the outside ground to the inside third row. However, once inside, the third row provides better-than-average head room and decent leg room. Another plus this year is rear side doors swing out wider for easier entry. This year, maximum seating capacity reduces from eight to seven with third-row models. A storage area is accessible behind the third row seating whether up or down. The floor board lifts up to reveal a long, not too deep area for stowing tools and other items. High seating positions provide drivers with a good perspective of the road ahead. The top dash area is much deeper in 2004. Power window, outside mirror and lock functions are on the drivers door just ahead of the arm rest ( at the same angle). Front windshield wipers activate from the turn signal stalk while back wipers activate from a dashboard dial. Headlights are controlled by a dial on the dashboard’s far left side. The vertical center console has a brushed aluminum backdrop with a blackfaced template for the rectangular stereo system. Below is the ventilation system relying on a myriad of buttons for function control. Dashboard air vents are also vertical in nature. All cruise control functions are found on the steering wheel. Durango, as with many Chrysler-breed vehicles, incorporates secondary stereo functions for monitoring sound and station presets behind the steering wheel where fingers rest. This is a clever and easily accessible location for these functions. Dodge locates the gear shift on the steering column. In between the front bucket seats is a large, raised center council storage bin/arm rest hinged at the right side and opening from the left. A digital compass and outside temperature readout is located near the rear view mirror on the ceiling. The instrument panel includes three somewhat circular analog gauges surrounding the circular center speedometer with white background.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 119.2 inches
Overall length: 200.8 inches
Overall width: 76 inches
Overall height: 74.3 inches
Curb weight: 4,671 pounds
Maximum towing capacity: 8,950 pounds (V-8 Hemi)
Exterior: With the added height and length, most would place the 2004 Durango in the large SUV range instead of a mid-size category. Our test Durango had no side running boards, but maneuvering from the outside into the front bucket seat does not require a big leap. The full-size spare tire is mounted beneath the vehicle. Durango borrows front-end visual cues from the full-size Dodge Ram pickup truck. The prominent, two-tier grille is even bigger than before and includes a Ram head logo in the center. Fenders are flared while the short, raised hood narrows towards the front where large headlight housing comes into play. Black strap-like handles are thick and easy to grip, replacing the flush-mounted design. Side view mirrors are also black and fold in when brushed against. A whip radio antenna is found on the front passenger-side fender. The hatch door, hinged at the top, opens up from the bottom and are now flanked by two vertically-arranged circular red taillights at each side. The glass portion of the hatch does not open independently as do those in many competitors. Ford has several vehicles with a power lift gate that lifts via the push of a key fob; Durango did not incorporate this in the redesign. A thin chrome strip runs across each side but door frames are without the shiny polished enhancement. Added girth changes exterior looks considerably from 2003. The new Durango seems to have a softer look than its predecessor.
Safety features: Standard in all models are dual reduced force front air bags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, remote keyless entry and anti-theft alarm system. Optional are adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, curtain side air bags covering all three rows of seating and traction control.
Warranty: Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products have one of the best domestic warranties around. Powertrains are covered for seven years or 70,000 miles (whichever comes first). This covers engines, transmissions, axles and transfer case. Most other GM and Ford products cover powertrains for a three-year period. Basic warranty coverage for the Durango is three years/36,000 miles while the corrosion warranty is for five years or 100,000 miles. Another positive of the Chrysler Group powertrain warranty is that it’s fully transferable to the next owner without penalty.
Final thoughts: Like many of its competitors, Durango is very agile for a rather large, heavy vehicle. This rugged body-on-frame design is built for off-road travels. Many small and mid-size SUVs are based on car chassis and best used for on-road travel. For those trailering heavy loads, the optional V-8 Hemi is a must see. Durango features more cargo room than the full-size Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia while maintaining the driveability of a mid-size SUV. The all-wheel test edition handled the early January snowfall with ease and sure-footedness. Dodge already has issued two minor recalls for the 2004 Durango. The first issued was to replace a circuit in the instrument cluster circuit board. While no customer complaints have been issued, the potential exists for the circuit board to overhead. Then last week, Dodge announced 2004 Durangos equipped with the 3.7 or 4.7-liter engines need a faulty throttle cable replaced. Despite these recalls, early sales results have been brisk. |