One Week Road Test: Dodge Durango RT and SRT

A solid money maker

The Dodge Durango is a solid money maker for the Dodge brand, so it's not surprising that the roomy, third generation SUV keeps rolling out of the Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit year after year.  We spent one week with an R/T version, evaluating performance and fuel economy. We also got to take out the coveted SRT, with its powerful 475 horse V-8, for a test spin. 

The 5.7L Hemi is a proven street engine

The base Durango has a 3.6 liter V-6 that puts out 295 horsepower. It starts at about $30K. The upgraded R/T has the much loved 5.7 Hemi V-8 and cranks 360 horses, which is the version we test drove. This one starts at $42K with three options. The TECH package is $2,295 and it includes radar cruise control, brake assist, blind spot detection, and collision/ lane departure warning. A rear DVD entertainment system added $1,995. You can also opt for a second row that replaces the bench with two Captain's chairs for only $995. Got to have that sunroof? It's $1,195. With shipping, the final bill for this SUV was $49,760. All-wheel drive is also an option, but this Durango was rear-wheel drive. 

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Improved interior

Dodge used to have the worst interiors in the industry, going all the way back to 1970! But over the past few years, they have really solved that problem. The cabin quality and design on the new Chrysler vehicles is excellent with very few complaints (but feel free to click on the forum thread below if you have any). The climate controls are easy to use, as are the radio buttons. The seats are of better quality than previous generations of the Durango. We do find it annoying that to turn on your heated seats, you will need to do so on the info screen rather than a simple switch. But this is obviously not a deal killer. The only real complaint was the spare tire location, which is outside, under the vehicle like a pickup truck. If you get a flat, be prepared to do some crawling, and get dirty. But on the positive side, putting the tire under there gives plenty more storage room in the rear cabin. 

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A comfortable street machine

This is the same V-8 used in the Challenger R/T, which showed us a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds. But the Durango adds about a half-ton in weight, so our best time was 5.9 seconds. Fuel economy is listed at 14 mpg city, 22 highway, and 17 average. We observed 13 mpg in the city and 21/22 on the highway. We had the optional 20-inch wheels and tires that provided some excellent road grip. Unfortunately, they also provide lots or road noise, in what is otherwise a smooth-riding vehicle.

While the R/T is a nice street machine, its ability for off-roading is mixed. The ground clearance is there for dirt driving, but that front nose sticks out too far and too low, a nice target for large rocks. We suspect that most Durango's that see dirt roads will be pulling a large boat to the local lake. In the last figures I read, the V-8 Durango was rated to tow just over 7K pounds.

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The potent SRT is quick. It can tow 8,700 lbs.

This brings us to the Durango SRT. If you are trying to decide between the sporty Challenger SRT or a practical SUV to haul the spouse and kids around, this certainly solves the problem. Here you can eat your cake and have it, too. With 475 horsepower, the SRT moves out in a hurry. Even with that 2.5 ton test weight, we hit 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. If you are towing a boat, this is the one to get! It can tow up to 8,700 lbs. Plus it can haul the family and their gear for your everyday commute.

We were a bit confused about the price. A V-6 Durango is only about $2K more than a V-6 Dodge Challenger or Charger. Yet at a starting price of $63K, the SRT Durango is about $10K more than a Challenger or Charger SRT. Go figure. But if you want to have one of the faster SUVs on the road, this is the one to buy.

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