2009 Dodge Durango Review

Dodge Durango has a new hybrid powerplant that attempts to bring this big, bold SUV into the ring with the "going-green" crowd of crossovers and large SUVs flooding the market. It is a wise move to try to get a hybrid version of any fuel-thirsty vehicle a manufacturer may have, and Dodge brings some environmentally friendly economy to one of its biggest and baddest vehicles in the 2009 Durango.

No matter how many hybrid electric experiences I have, driving big SUVs that should roar with big horsepower seems to deliver less excitement by silently moving around town with the character of a golf cart. Alas, the Dodge Durango joins the likes of the other manufacturers by making the big SUV available in 2009 as a Limited HEV (hybrid).

Recognizing the green-ness of such a trim level makes it hard to say anything bad about Dodge's effort to take the big SUV to a place few competitors have conquered yet. Though it accomplishes some good, most notably by aiding environmental concerns for greenhouse gases, and delivering 19 mpg city/20 mpg highway, you can add Dodge to that list of still-working-on-it hybrid SUVs,

The current generation of the Durango debuted five years ago to mixed success. It had always been in a unique place by offering consumers a middle ground between big SUVs like the Tahoe or Expedition and smaller two-row options like the Explorer.

Along with feel-good green-ness, the Durango Limited HEV does deliver a third row and some really nice family entertainment options.

Durango's body-on-frame design will not win it any awards for comfort and driveability as more and more crossovers this size go to the unit-body design approach. If you happen to need to tow or leave the pavement, the older style design will pay big dividends, but today's crossovers clearly are the new minivans and getting off-road is rarely a requirement.

My Durango Limited HEV 4x4 had a base price of $44,540. With a Sirius Video Entertainment system at $1,765, a sunroof at $850 and an $800 destination charge, your green hybrid Durango checks in at a very green $48,410. Even at the thought of getting back to $4-plus-gallon gasoline, it will take some time to recoup your fuel savings.

On the exterior, Durango is bold and big in every way. From the signature Dodge grille to the 20-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, and great-looking running boards, Durango is visually appealing, though it felt a bit dated next to several new crossovers in the parking lot.

Standard equipment on the Limited is appreciated. Look for a "workable" navigation system that I found quite intuitive to operate with real-time traffic information and a cool-looking energy-flow monitor illustrated for hybrid activation.

My tester's khaki two-tone leather upholstery was well fit and the mandatory seat heaters (both first and second rows) were working every fall morning. Other interior standards that the Limited delivers for driver comfort are power-adjustable pedals, a rear back-up camera, an iPod interface and a 30GB hard drive for digital music storage.

A big, bold attitude is built into the Durango's exterior, but inside, the interior falls short on some key levels. Given the $48K pricetag, it was hard to accept the lower grade of materials and plastic-heavy dash treatment. This is very much a family vehicle and there are great conveniences for a fully loaded cabin of adults and kids.

Probably the biggest star of my tester was the entertainment system. The previously mentioned 30GB hard drive has enormous capacity, while satellite radio and TV will keep the passengers and tech-craving kids in check.

Durango's ace up its sleeve has always been the third-row seating and depending on the style chosen, the Durango can carry up to seven or eight passengers. While second-row legroom is tight, the third-row legroom is surprisingly more abundant. I did not like trying to get into this smaller space and it is best reserved for the kids. Nonetheless, it is accommodating for lots of passengers. Relatively speaking, cargo capacity is pretty equal to other SUVs in this class (68 cubic feet with third row folded down).

The Durango Limited HEV hybrid is powered by a "two-mode" hybrid system comprised of a Hemi V8 (345 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque), two electric motors (87 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque) and a two-mode transmission. There is no lack of power and no need for any more torque, the electric motors take care of any need for that.

Like I mentioned earlier, the body-on-frame design offers little respite to those looking for a cushy and cozy cruiser. Make no doubt this is a truck fitted to carry people, but the hybrid does deliver very untruck-like fuel economy and I was surprised how easily it stayed in the "hybrid" mode when I was tooling about town.

In government frontal crash testing, the Durango earned a perfect five-star rating for its protection of front occupants. Antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control and side curtain airbags are standard on all Durangos. This was designed for families and it is a safe vehicle.

At the end of the day, it is hard to recommend the Durango over much of the competition. It kills on torque and towing and big power, but it doesn't feel completely in step with the wave of green-thinking hybrids jamming the market.