2019 Dodge Durango

If you are a parent, you’d want a lot of space. If you are young, you’d want performance. If you own a business, you’d want lots of cargo and payload capacity. If you are all of the above, you’d want a Dodge Durango.

Dodge will forever be known for building muscle cars, and maybe it's a good thing that the company has decided to embrace it rather than fight it. The result is a lineup of different vehicles that are powerful before they are anything else. The Durango is the same. It's a Dodge first and an SUV later; power and performance were probably higher on the priority list than utility, and this vehicle is extremely utilitarian!

When a car company sells what passes for a family sedan with 707 horsepower, it should come as no surprise that its take on a three-row SUV should be, let's say, a little different from what other manufacturers offer.-Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

The Durango offers a lot of engine engines. Apart from the 6.4 Liter V8 in the SRT, there are two engine options; a 3.6 V6 and a 5.7 V8. Power figures aren't mind-blowing but are still great. The V6 makes 293 horses, while the V8 makes 360 horses. Of course, if you absolutely need more power, you should get the SRT, which makes a marvelous 475 horsepower.

The SXT, SXT Plus, GT, and GT plus trims come fitted with the V6. The R/T model has the 5.7 V8 under the hood. With the Citadel and Citadel Anodized Platinum trim options, you can choose between these two engines.

You get an 8-speed automatic transmission in the Durango, capable of manual shifts (optional in some variants). The base 8-speed auto is fine for everyday use but lacks speed when the need arises. There optional gearbox, another 8-speed auto, but with better response times.

Models	Dodge Durango SXT	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
MSRP	$29,995	$31,695	$32,800	$31,450	$32,365	$31,995	$31,330
Engine	3.6 Liter V6	3.6 Liter V6	2.5 Liter Inline-4	3.5-liter V6	3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6	2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder	2.7-liter 4-cylinder
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-Speed Automatic	6-speed automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	CVT	6-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	293 hp @ 6400 rpm	295 @ 6400	193 @ 6300	280hp @ 6000	288 @ 6500	260 hp @ 5,600	185 hp @ 5800
Torque	293 hp @ 6400 rpm	260 @ 4000	188 @ 4400	262 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm	254 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm	277 lb.-ft. @ 2,000 rpm	184 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

Acceleration

SUVs are not very performance oriented by default, especially not the affordable ones. The Durango isn't fast, but it holds up fine on the freeway. Merging into the fast lane might take a few downshifts, but other than that, it's quite nice.

Models	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
0-60 MPH	7.6 sec	N/A	7 sec*	6.2 sec	8.2 sec	6.9 sec	-
Quarter mile	15.8 sec	N/A	N/A	14.8 sec	16.3 sec	15.5 sec	-
Engine	3.6 Liter V6	3.6 Liter V6	2.5 Liter Inline-4	3.5 Liter V6	3.5 Liter V6	2.4 Liter Boxer-4	2.7 Liter Inline-4
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	7.7	8.4	8.0	9.8

The Grand Cherokee has less weight than the Durango, owing to the lack of third-row seats. Thus, it offers better performance and lesser emissions. Honda Pilot is significantly faster than the Durango, followed by Subaru Ascent.

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling portion use to be the downfall of any Dodge car. Thankfully, the Grand Cherokee underpinnings have helped the SUV be a better car overall. It wouldn't take corners like a Porsche, but it wouldn't throw you on the side either. Remember to leave the throttle alone when you approach a turn at speed, and you'll be fine. Or don't carry any speed into a corner. Very safe indeed.

The size is a problem though. In tight spots, the driver would find visibility on the rear passenger side to be a little compromised due to the long length. The blind spot is also quite big, which is problematic if you aren't accustomed to the sheer size of this car.

Braking

Disc brakes on all wheels with anti-lock braking system ensures you do not swerve uncontrollably, even under panic braking situations. The weight holds it back though, but the Durango still manages to roll to a stop from 60 MPH in just over 120 feet.

Model	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
Brake Front (in.)	13.0	13	12.6	12.6	12.8	13.1	12.9
Brake Rear (in.)	13.0	13	12.4	13	12.8	13	12.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4680	4513	3956	4036	4458	4430	4134
60-0 MPH (ft.)	121	N/A	172 (70 to 0)	117 (est.)	108 (With optional tires)	119	126 (est.)

Towing Capacity

The benefit of having a workhorse is that you can tow stuff around, and boy can the Durango Tow! You can lug around nearly 3 tons behind this Dodge SUV, which is honestly, truly impressive. The closest competitor in this regard would be the Honda Pilot, which is still more than half a ton behind.

Model	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
Towing Capacity	6200	3500	4,000	3500	5000	5000	1500

With one of the best infotainment systems on the market perched atop its sculpted dashboard, the Durango is better than many of its rivals, but only if buyers choose the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen. -Car and Driver

Seating and Comfort

Dodge offers a Passenger capacity of 5, 6 or 7 people, depending on which trim/package you choose. The 2019 Durango offers a decent interior room in the first and second rows. The third row is a little compromised, as they usually are, but you could get an average sized adult in there for short rides. Ingress/Egress is quite easy, and kudos to Dodge engineers for thinking about making life easier for the last row passengers too. The second row folds easily from the front as well as the back, and there are overhead AC vents for everyone.

The interiors are fine, and unless you are expecting German quality, you will be fine. Even the base model gets leather seats as an option, which is wonderful. There are a lot of cheap bits around though, which is to be expected from a 'budget' offering. Still, it's quite a step up from the previous generation Durangos.

Model	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
Passenger Capacity	7	5	7	8	7	8	8
Front Row (cu. ft) (Head/Shoulder/Leg Room)	39.9/57/40.3	39.9/58.7/40.3	40.3/59.4/41	40.1/62/40.9	41.4/61.5/42.9	41.3/61.1/42.2	40.7/59.3/44.2
Second Row (cu. ft) (Head/Shoulder/Leg Room)	39.8/42.8/38.6	39.2/58/38.6	39.6/58.7/39.7	40.2/62/38.4	40.6/61/39.5	40/60.3/38.6	40/60.3/38.6
Third Row (cu. ft) (Head/Shoulder/Leg Room)	37.8/42.8/31.5	-	37.5/54.3/31.1	38.9/57.6/31.9	37.8/50.8/32	36.3/57.2/31.7	36.3/57.2/31.7

Infotainment

You get a 7.0-Inch Touch Screen Display along with Uconnect 4 system as standard across the range. There is an optional Uconnect 4C NAV system available as well. Other features include:

• Android Auto integration
• Apple CarPlay support,
• Integrated Voice Command
• Bluetooth Streaming Audio
• SiriusXM

If you opt for Uconnect 4C NAV, the car comes fitted with a larger touchscreen (8.4 inches) and gets more SiriusXM features (Guardian, Navigation, Traffic Plus, and Travel Link) as well.

Cargo volume

If you opt for third-row seats, you'd get a very small trunk, but thankfully the last row folds flat, giving you an uncompromised cargo area. Even the second-row seats fold, to allow for surfboards or similar things.

Model	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
Cargo Volume in trunk (ft.3)	17.2	36.3	12.8	16.5	21	17.8	13.8
Cargo Volume 3rd Row folded (ft.3)	47.7	-	41.7	46.8	43.8	47.5	TBD
Cargo Volume 2nd row folded (ft.3)	84.5	68.3	79	83.9	80.7	86.5	83.7

You can buy the 2019 Durango in 7 different variants, not counting the Durango SRT. The trims are described below:

Trim	SXT	SXT Plus	GT	GT Plus	Citadel	R/T	Citadel Anodized Platinum
MSRP (RWD)	$30,195	$34,190	$34,645	$38,995	$42,995	$43,995	$46,270
MSRP (AWD)	$32,795	$36,790	$37,245	$41,595	$45,595	$46,595	$48,870
Engine	3.6 Liter V6	3.6 Liter V6	3.6 Liter V6	3.6 Liter V6	3.6 Liter V6 (5.7 Liter Hemi V8)	5.7 Liter Hemi V8	3.6 Liter V6 (5.7 Liter Hemi V8)
Key Features	Air Conditioning with 3-Zone Automatic Temp Control	Cloth Trimmed Bucket Seats	Heated Front Row seats	Heated Second Row seats	Second-Row Fold/Tumble Captain Chairs	Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats with Suede Inserts	Luxury Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
	Manual Adjust Seats	Power 4-Way Driver Lumbar Adjust	Leather Trimmed Seats	Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats with Suede Inserts	Ventilated Front Seats
	Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror	Power 8-Way Driver Seat / Manual Passenger Seat	Power 8-Way Driver Seat with Memory and 6-Way Pass Seat
	Cargo Compartment Carpet
	Overhead Console

We Recommend

For additional power, get the R/T. If you don't need a lot of power, it's best you go for 'GT' trim.

Fuel efficiency is fine for a large SUV, and the large fuel tank helps improve the range of the vehicle. City efficiency is just 18 MPG for the 3.6 V6, and lower still for the 5.7 V8. Compared to its competitors, the Durango sits comfortably in the middle of the segment.

Model	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
MPG (city)	18	19	21	19	17	21	20
MPG (highway)	25	26	26	27	24	27	24
MPG (combined)	20	21	23	22	20	23	22
Fuel Tank (gallons)	24.6	24.6	19	NA	NA	NA	NA

In general, the 2019 Durango's styling roams a territory that encompasses a certain toughness, a fair amount of chrome in a few trim levels, and a subtly sporty look in others. -Kelly Blue Book

Weight and dimensions

This Dodge SUV is heavy, undeniably so; its heavier than its competitors. Dodge employs the classic Muscle car strategy of offering a bigger engine to compensate for the extra bulk. For faster progress, buy the V8s. In fact, the engine makes up the majority of the mass in the car.

The dimensions are large too, largest amongst all cars here, another classic muscle car move. It's over 200 inches in length, which is quite a lot for crowded cities. Negotiating city traffic is a little difficult, but if you don't live in a crowded place, you won't find this to be a problem.

Model	Dodge Durango	Jeep Grand Cherokee	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Highlander
Curb weight (lbs.)	4680	4513	3956	4036	4458	4430	4134
Length(in)	201.2	189.8	193.6	196.5	198.3	196.8	192.5
Width(in)	75.8	63.9	75.4	78.6	78.9	76	75.8
Height(in)	70.9	69.3	66	70.6	70	71.6	68.1
Ground clearance (in)	8.1	8.6	7.2	7.3	7.8	8.7	8.0
Wheelbase (in)	119.8	114.8	112.5	111	112.8	113.8	109.8
Track width (in) F/R	63.9/64.1	64.1/63.9	64.5/64.5	66.3/66.3	67/67	64.4/ 64.2	64.4/64.2

Design and Styling

The Dodge Durango is extremely simplistic in its approach to styling. The headlamps are large, bulbous and clear, adorned by LEDs. The hood scoop on the bonnet adds more character to the design. The tail section spells the Dodge family name inside the Dodge family style long, horizontal running taillight strip. The SRT has a clear front grille, as opposed to the large cross on the front grille on the simpler Durangos. There isn't much more to the style, and the rest of the car looks just like a typical SUV.

Safety Features in the 2019 Dodge Durango are plenty. These include the following:

• 4-Wheel Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control
• Enhanced Accident Response System
• Hill Start Assist
• LED Daytime Running Headlamps
• Parksense Front / Rear Park-Assist with Stop
• ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera
• Remote-Start System
• Security Alarm
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
• Trailer Sway Damping
• Advanced Multistage Front Airbags
• Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Supplemental Side-Curtain Airbags
• Supplemental Side-Curtain Airbags in All Rows
• Driver Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag
• LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System

Additional Safety & Security Features

• Dual Note Electric Horns
• Electronic Vehicle Information Center
• Front Passenger Seat Belt Alert
• Performance Shift Indicator
• Temperature and Compass Gauge

IIHS and NHTSA do not rate the Durango SRT separate from the regular Durango.

Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

Platform sharing helps shed development costs and (usually) the result is better cars for all manufacturers involved. Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee share the same engines and transmissions, and consequently the same performance as well. Yet these two are quite different cars.

The Durango is a proper workhorse, with seating options available for more than 5 people. The Jeep, on the other hand, is more of a 'lifestyle vehicle', better suited for leisure than work.

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot

Honda Pilot is a great car if you're looking for a vehicle that can carry a lot of people. It can carry 8 people, 1 more than the maximum of what Durango can hold. The Durango has better engine options and gets more cargo capacity, which could be what you want in your SUV.

Dodge Durango vs Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer is a lovely car, with more space all around than the Durango. You'd also save money on fuel bills in the Ford, especially with the EcoBoost engine. The soundtrack is very disappointing on the EcoBoost though, which isn't really a problem but deserves a mention. The 5.7 V8 on the Durango sound divine at full clip, and if you want to flaunt your car around, the Dodge is a better pick.

As mentioned at the beginning of this review, the Durango is a raised muscle car rather than an SUV. There is plenty of power on offer and towing capabilities are unreal. Even the base engine can pull upwards of 6000 pounds, which is significantly more than its competitors. The affordability is this vehicle's biggest weapon, which is another brownie point. The butch proportions and macho looks are too!

With so many factors in favor of this car, you should just go ahead and buy one.