The Durango crossover, the largest offering from the sports minded folks at Dodge, entered existence back in the 1998 model year. Back then its undercarriage platform resembled that of the mid-size body-on-frame Dakota pickup truck.
The current third generation effort, introduced in the 2011 model year (a loooooong 13 years), builds from a sturdy unibody platform similar to one found within Jeep's Grand Cherokee's portfolio and delivering a smoother on-road ride than past efforts. Both Generation One and Two Durango's built from the truck-like body-on-frame structure. Durango matured into a mid-size five-door crossover with three seating rows delivering superb towing capacity and cargo capacity. Fuel economy readouts, not so superb when opting for one of three V-8 opportunities.
It's one of the few mid-size crossovers with V-8 options, but not too much longer as 2024 welcomes aboard a 'Last Call' edition signaling the eventual exit of the one-time ubiquitous V-8. These limited-edition catches began production late in the model year, not reaching dealers until May of 2024.
Changes from the 2023 model year remain minimal highlighted by updates in available equipment. Citadel trims now offer Tow N Go packages delivering best-in-class towing figures reaching 8,700 pounds, about a 1,000 pounds better than the nearest mid-size competitor. Also, blind spot monitoring comes standard across all trims.
Durango circa 2024 offers six trims in the form of SXT, GT, R/T Citadel, SRT 392 and ultimate horsepower SRT Hellcat. Engine variations combine with rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive.
Only entry SXT, GT, Citadel and R/T come standard with rear-wheel drive. All offer optional all-wheel drive with SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat exclusively blessed with performance-tuned all-wheel drive (with no integrated transfer case). The SRT (Street & Racing Technology) prefix teams with the two prominent upper V-8 engines offering lower, stiffer suspensions and high-performance brakes reaching track-ready levels. The SRT segment launched in 2003 at the dawn of the V-10 Dodge Viper experience and dons Dodge nameplates and a smattering of Jeep offerings.
Four beefy engine choices arrive under hood including the tried and true 3.6-liter V-6 cranking out 293 horsepower and 6,200 pounds of tow-ability. Variations of this engine power Chrysler's Pacifica minivan and outgoing gas-powered Dodge Chargers/Challengers and select Ram pickup trucks.
For those looking for greater towing and performance specs, a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 delivers 360 horsepower while towing up to 8,700 pounds. The SRT 398 (a reference to the engine's 398 cubic inch size) gets going with a 6.4-liter V-8 stepping up horses to 478. Need to make a bigger statement? The Durango SRT Hellcat edition employees a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 delivering 710 horses producing zero to 60 speeds in 3.5 seconds according to Dodge.
As with Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger Coupe which slowly but not so quietly bid farewell to its V-8 engine with 'Last Call' editions, so too does Durango. Our tester, a Durango SRT 392 AlcHemi is one of only 1,000 special editions built in 2024 waving good-bye to the 6.4-liter V-8. Four available' Last Call' colors include: Diamond Black, Destroyer Gray, Vapor Gray and White Knuckle. In the 2025 model year, Last Call editions celebrate the final push for Durango's remaining Hemi V-8's, the 5.7-liter R/T V-8 and the ultra-potent supercharged 6.2-liter SRT HEMI V-8 and its 710 horses.
Our all-wheel drive special edition SRT 392 tester with the 6.4-liter V-8 included a starting price point of $74,995. Premium 'Destroyer Gray' exterior paint ($395) and one extensive 'Last Call' option package ($14,800) dropped the bottom line to $91,785 including a $1,595 destination charge. The option package includes upgraded leather/suede seats with yellow/silver interior stitching, blind spot monitor with trailer detection, suede headliner, Brembo-branded disc brakes, black exhaust tips, 19-speaker stereo, power sunroof, roof rails, lane departure warning (wish this was standard), adaptive cruise control and can't miss 392 decals.
The SXT, GT and Citadel trims include the V-6 standard while R/T opts for the 5.7-liter V-8. No matter the engine selected, all team with a Torque Flight eight-speed automatic transmission calibrated to maximize torque to all wheels. It's convenient, stubby T-shaped grab handle between the front buckets includes illuminated topside PRND reminders, operating with ease and without extended eye contact. A secondary gear shift indicator illuminates within the central portion of the instrument panel. A left-side trigger, operated by the right hand's thumb or pointy finger, unmoors the forward/back T-shifter
Keep in mind both the 6.4-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s require Premium 91 octane fuel. Regular, 87 octane works for the Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8. No matter the suggested fuel, the tank holds 24.6 gallons throughout all trims. All that horsepower and available all-wheel drive creates a thirsty powertrain. Our test SRT 392 V-8 averaged a wincing 13 miles per gallon city and 19 mpg highway, but did feature a convenient cap-less tank outlet allowing the fuel nozzle to poke through a self-sealing circular opening.
A multi-link rear suspension with coil springs smooths out the ride. Older Durango generations featured leaf-type rear springs adding to a bounce factor.
Seven-passenger seating with a bench-style second row seats come standard in GT and R/T and is optional in SXT. Six-rider efforts with two middle row captain's chairs come standard in Citadel, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat (and optional in GT and R/T). Cloth seating comes standard in SXT, GT and R/T. The two passenger third row includes 50/50 split manually folding seat backs that fold flat onto cushions and include back side pull straps to easily return them to a prone position.
All trims sans the base SXT include a power rear liftgate standard with an inside button near the rear left end that's easy to access and push with the liftback open. The driver may also opt for a push button near the rearview mirror to close the door. From the outside, a lower touch-sensitive pull plate starts the process as does the key fob. The front hood of both SRT V-8s incorporate a 'performance' design with a trio of functional air scoops, a center air intake flanked by dual heat extractors.
Yellow stitched '392' emblems blaze front seat backrests of the Last Call V-8 while yellow and silver stitching frames seats, the power-motivated steering wheel and the automatic transmission T-shifter. The 392 emblem also illustrates on outside front fenders, with a sticker format rather than stitching. Dual yellow pinstriping frames a honeycomb style decal running the length of Durango from the lower hood region to the roof and down to the tail gate bottom. Brembo caliper covers include a yellow 'SRT' badging. Wheel wells incorporate a circular half-moon style with body-colored lip molding.
At night, a red light bar stretches across the lower reaches of the liftgate, lassoing wrap-around tail lights and amber turn signal blinkers. In front, a long, narrow black honeycomb grille gets flanked by a pair of small LED bulbs (both SRT versions incorporate an automatic leveling system) with a larger honeycomb air dam below.
Second-row Captain's Chair designs work to create a wide step-in aisle when maneuvering into the two-person third row. The back rest manually flips down from a seat-positioned lever, after which the entire unit tilts forward with the lift of a red strap. Once ensconced, the unit tilts back onto the floor track. My six-foot one-inch frame felt right at home with ample third-row headroom and average leg room, although contorting into the back row is best left for those under 60 candles old.
Despite its mature platform status, the in-dash square center screen design and human interaction with said technology gets an A plus. Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram all include secondary volume and selection tabs behind the steering wheel where fingertips do the walking from a natural position. Other automakers took note as some have added such simplicity to their vehicles.
Base SXT and GT models come standard with an 8.4-inch square screen. Most other trips opt for the 10.1-inch in-dash variety and include screen tutorials with easy-to-follow logic, large icons and quick response time. The larger screen also includes in-dash navigation which this old curmudgeon still finds useful despite advances from Smartphones. The audio quality continues strong.
Separate from the screen is HVAC operation below which also includes two welcome large twist dials (volume, station select) working in tandem with the screen. In between a smaller dial controls fan speed within the HVAC commands. Three rows of buttons below include a/c, mode (direction) select, front/rear defrosters and up/down temperature setting choices. If driver's so choose, HVAC functions may also be summoned from the touch screen in a secondary fashion.
The striking red push button electronic start/stop dashboard circular button right of the steering column includes an illuminated 'run' or 'off' framing reminding drivers of the engine's current state of affairs. The three-sectioned, backlit analog instrument panel includes a three-quarter circle center tachometer within the digital center window. To the left is a half-moon style analog speedometer with right side quarter circle fuel gauge and temperature gauge.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the entire model line, while a lay flat wireless Smartphone charger arrives standard in R/T, Citadel, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat. Durango also includes as standard fare both USB Type A and C ports when nothing else but a plug and cord will suffice. Dual in-line beverage holders, illuminating after dark, reside right of the automatic transmission shifter between the front buckets. A deep, mid-size storage bin/arm rest is found rearward hinged on the backside, allowing the top to flip open and up when diving inside.
With secondary sound and tune selections on the unseen side of the leather/swede wrapped steering wheel, the front opens up for additional button-like quick hits. At 9 o'clock, a series of push buttons selects multiple screens within the animated portion of the instrument panel. At 3 o'clock, cruise control functions. The 'Last Call's' Adaptive Cruise control feature keeps a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and brings Durango to a complete stop if situations and/or slow interstate travel dictates.
With limited availability, Dodge set up a dedicated 'Dodge Garage' web site detailing 'Last Call' vehicle tidbits and locations at https://www.dodgegarage.com/horsepower-locator
2024 Dodge Durango
Price as tested: $91,785
Engine: 6.4-liter V-8
Horsepower: 478
Wheelbase: 119.8 inches
Overall Length: 200.8 inches
Overall Width: 75.8 inches
Overall Height: 72.1 inches
Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 5,378 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Assembly: Detroit, Michigan
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