2017 Dodge Durango features a third row with sufficient space for adults. It is one of the few rides in its segment to do so. Aside from that, the ride fulfills the tradition of Durango SUVs by flaunting an abundance of cargo room. In addition to having one of the best towing capacities in the class, the 2017 incarnation of Dodge Durango offers a comfy, agile riding experience.
The 2017 avatar of the Dodge Durango has a 3.6L V6 engine at its disposal. For gear-shifting, the SUV relies on an 8-speed automatic transmission mode. The robust V6 engine produces 293 hp of power and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Nonetheless, there is also an optional V8 engine available.
"The Durango remains a classy, understated piece, even with a big crosshair grille up front." - The Car Connection
The 2017 Dodge Durango has a starting price of $29,995. The vehicle offers the likes of Hyundai Santa Fe, GMC Acadia Denali, and the Honda Pilot LX a run for their money. In terms of solid performance, attractive interiors, and an amazing 7,400-pound towing capacity, the ride outlasts the competition.
There are two engine options available for the 2017 Dodge Durango: the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 making 290 hp and 260 lb-ft, and a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 making 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. It is available in either an FWD or AWD configuration, with the latter costing you an additional $3,000.
Features
8.5/10
The 2017 Dodge Durango comes in five model levels, so there are plenty of options. Furthermore, each trim comes in two separate versions: FWD and AWD. So, in a sense, there are ten different models to select from. SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, and Anodized Platinum are the trim levels. The SXT FWD and AWD start at $29,995 and $32,995, respectively.
Trim
SXT
GT
R/T
Citadel
Anodized Platinum
MSRP (FWD)
$29,995
$37,495
$42,095
$41,395
$45,090
MSRP
(AWD)
$32,995
$40,095
$44,695
$43,995
$47,690
Key
Features
It comes standard with
Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel
Upgraded steering system
Xenon headlights, automatic high beams, automatic wipers
Anodized Platinum appearance package adds upgraded leather upholstery with silver accent stitching and special interior trim
Six-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio jack ,a USB port and an SD card reader
Satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, dual USB charge ports
red accent stitching
Nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and HD radio
Bluetooth phone connectivity
An 8.4-inch touchscreen interface with voice controls
Beats audio system
eight-way power passenger seat, ventilated front seats
An auto-dimming rearview mirror
115-volt power outlet, driver memory settings
The Citadel's standard roof rails and sunroof are optional
An optional Anodized Platinum appearance package adds upgraded leather upholstery with silver accent stitching and special interior trim
Height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding and reclining second-row seat
Rearview camera
Navigation system
50/50-split folding third-row seat (with power-folding headrests) or alternatively no third-row seat at all, cloth upholstery
Power front seats (eight-way driver, six-way passenger) with four-way power lumbar, heated front and second-row seats, leather upholstery
power-adjustable steering wheel
Keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, three-zone climate control
20-inch wheels
power liftgate, a cargo cover, upgraded leather upholstery, additional leather trim
Automatic headlamps, foglamps, heated mirrors
dual exhaust tips, remote ignition, an auto-dimming driver-side exterior mirror
Sunroof
18-inch alloy wheels, a load-leveling rear suspension
The GT FWD and AWD models will cost $37,495 and $40,095, respectively. . The R/T FWD and AWD models have starting prices of $42,095 and $44,695, respectively. Xenon headlights and a power-adjustable steering wheel are standard on the Citadel model. It also comes with a 9-speaker audio system, a subwoofer, and an HD radio.
We Recommend:
When there are numerous alternatives, we recommend going with the SXT trim with FWD configuration since it provides the greatest value for money. Higher trim levels are just more pricey and don't add anything to the feature set. The difference between the base SXT trim and the next in line, the GT trim, is a staggering $8,000. Other trims are considerably more expensive, costing up to $41,000.
Engine and Performance
7.7/10
"The 2017 Durango drives better than you might expect. It’s one of the more nimble midsize SUVs, with little body roll and sharp handling that instills confidence. " - U. S. News
A 3.6L V6 engine powers the 2017 Dodge Durango. The engine has a total output of 295 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission manages the power from the engine. The Durango is available with FWD system as standard but has the option of upgrading to an AWD stsrem at the price of around $3,000.
2017 Dodge Durango engine bay
In terms of power, the 2017 Dodge Durango outperforms the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Santa Fe. The GMC Acadia Denali, on the other hand, comes with a 3.6L V6 engine that can produce 310 horsepower.
Models
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
GMC Acadia Denali
Hyundai Santa Fe
MSRP
$29,995
$30,595
$46,920
$30,800
Engine
3.6-liter V-6 engine
3.5-liter V-6 engine
3.6-liter V-6 engine
3.3-liter V-6 engine
Transmission
8- Speed Automatic Transmission
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Horsepower
295 hp @ 6400 rpm
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
310 hp @ 6600 rpm
290 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque
260 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
262 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm
271 ft-lbs. @ 5000 rpm
252 ft-lbs. @ 5200 rpm
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the least torque in the competition, at 252 lb.-ft. The 2017 Dodge Durango has somewhat more torque than the Honda Pilot LX. The GMC Acadia Denali, on the other hand, has the highest torque (271 lb.-ft.) among the competitors. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Pilot LX, Acadia Denali, and Santa Fe Limited.
2017 Dodge Durango Acceleration
The Dodge Durango's acceleration is sluggish, which isn't ideal for a 5-seater. The ride accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 15.8 seconds. Among its class opponents, both accomplishments are the least outstanding. The Santa Fe and the GMC Acadia Denali have a 0-60 MPH acceleration time of 6.7 and 6.3 seconds, respectively. Honda Pilot, however, gets to 60 MPH in the least time of 6.1 seconds.
Models
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
2017 GMC Acadia Denali
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
0-60 MPH
7.6 Sec
6.1 sec
6.3 sec
6.7 sec
Quarter mile
15.8 sec
15.1 sec
15.0 sec
15.2 sec
Engine
3.6 L
3.5L
3.6L
3.3L
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
8.4
8.0
8.4
NA
2017 Dodge Durango Ride and Handling
It's obvious that handling available for the 2017 Dodge Durango is far from being sporty due to its voluminous size. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean that the ride quality is unenjoyable or poor. The SUV generates a little body lean in turns in addition to flaunting sharp, acute handling. There are a selected few midsize SUVs that offer nimble handling and the 2017 Dodge Durango is proudly enlisted amongst them.
The 2017 Dodge Durango comes with FWD as standard
In order to let the passengers enjoy a shock-free ride, Dodge Durango comes with a powerful suspension. For those looking to enjoy a sporty ride with the 2017 Dodge Durango, the R/T trim is the one to opt for. It comes with a number of performance enhancements, including a sporty suspension. Probably, the biggest attraction is the engine upgrade from V6 to V8.
2017 Dodge Durango Braking
Both brakes for the 2017 Dodge Durango are the same in size i.e. 13 inches. The responsive braking system allows the coupe to come to a complete halt at a distance of 124 feet when decelerated from 60 MPH. This is the best offering among its class rivals. Honda Pilot LX and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited come with the smallest front brake of 12.6 inches in the competition. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited's 11.9-inch rear brake is the smallest rear brake in the league.
Model
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
2017 GMC Acadia Denali
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Brake Front (in.)
13.0
12.6
17.0
12.6
Brake Rear (in.)
13.0
13.0
17.0
11.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)
4054
3956
4026
60-0 MPH (ft.)
124
128
126
125
GMC Acadia Denali offers the biggest brakes in the class. Both of its brakes measure 17 inches. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited and GMC Acadia Denali stop in 125 and 126 feet, respectively. Honda Pilot LX requires the most stopping distance of 128 feet when decelerated completely from 60 MPH during emergency scenarios.
Fuel Economy
6.8/10
2017 Dodge Durango offers 19 mpg in cities and 26 mpg on highways. The ride offers a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg. GMC Acadia Denali and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited also offer a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg. Out of the three, Dodge Durango offers the most mileage in cities as well as on highways.
Model
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
2017 GMC Acadia Denali
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
MPG (city)
19
19
18
18
MPG (highway)
26
27
25
25
MPG (combined)
21
22
21
21
Honda Pilot LX has the most combined fuel economy of 22 mpg at its disposal. The ride offers a highway fuel economy of 27 mpg and 19 miles per gallon of gas in cities.
Interior
7.0/10
Unlike its competitors, the 2017 avatar of the Dodge Durango seats 5 people at once. GMC Acadia Denali offers seating for 6. The maximum seating capacity for Hyundai Santa Fe Limited and Honda Pilot LX is 7 and 8, respectively. Dodge Durango offers front headroom of 39.9 inches. Unfortunately, this is the least available amongst the competition. Moreover, its 40.3 inches of legroom in the front is also the least that one can get in the competition.
Model
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
2017 GMC Acadia Denali
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Passenger capacity
5
8
6
7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
39.9/58.5/40.3
40.1/62.0/40.9
40.3/NA/41.0
39.9/59.4/41.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
39.8/58.3/38.6
40.2/62.0/38.4
NA/58.7/39.7
39.4/58.3/40.4
Headroom and legroom available in the rear of the 2017 Dodge Durango are 39.8 and 38.6 inches, respectively. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited offers the least rear headroom of 39.4 inches. On the other hand, least rear legroom of 38.4 inches is available in the Honda Pilot LX. The same ride, however, offers the most headroom of 40.2 inches in the back. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited offers the most rear legroom of 40.4 inches.
Infotainment System
2017 Dodge Durango flaunts a standard 5-inch infotainment screen. However, an upgrade to the bigger and better 8.4-inch infotainment system is also available. Moreover, the upgraded display features crisper graphics and a hi-res display. The infotainment system is user-friendly and simplistic to operate.
Large buttons present on the display screen make it easier to navigate through menus and choose different options. Physical knobs are also there to give the drive controls of basic functions like temperature and volume. However, not everything is worth cheering about the Dodge Durango's infotainment system. It can be distracting at times.
Interior Features
The Durango is as subtle on the inside as is any other Dodge coupe. There is a solid, high-quality construction on the inside employing only high-quality materials. Important interior feats to the 2017 Dodge Durango are:
Lively dashboard with soft-touch material-construction and metallic-ringed gauges
Leather upholstery with red inserts and red stitching
White trim rings on the dials
Remarkable cargo capacity
Lively dashboard with soft-touch material-construction and metallic-ringed gauges
Leather upholstery with red inserts and red stitching
White trim rings on the dials
Remarkable cargo capacity
2017 Dodge Durango Cargo Capacity
2017 Dodge Durango offers 84.5 cubic feet of cargo volume to seats 1. This is the most amongst the competition. GMC Acadia Denali offers the least of the same, a space for 79 cubic feet of cargo. Cargo volume to seats 2 available in the Dodge Durango is 47.7 cubic feet. Again, it is the most one can get from the competition. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited offers the least of the same, 40.9 cubic feet.
Model
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
2017 GMC Acadia Denali
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Cargo Volume to seats 1 (ft.3)
84.5
83.9
79.0
80.0
Cargo Volume to seats 2 (ft.3)
47.7
46.8
41.7
40.9
Cargo Volume to seats 3 (ft.3)
NA
16.5
12.8
13.5
Cargo volume to seats 3 isn't available in the 2017 Dodge Durango. Honda Pilot LX offers the most of this space, measuring 16.5 cubic feet of dedicated space. The same for Hyundai Santa Fe Limited and GMC Acadia Denali is 13.5 and 12.8 cubic feet, in the respective order.
Exterior
8.2/10
Length, width, and height for 2017 Dodge Durango are 201.2, 75.8, and 70.9 inches, respectively. Both length and height are the maxima in the segment. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited has the smallest length of 193.1 inches. It also has the least width of 74.2 inches in the competition. Honda Pilot LX, on the other hand, lies on the other extreme of the width spectrum with a total width of 78.6 inches. GMC Acadia Denali has the least height of 66 inches in the class.
Model
2017 Dodge Durango
2017 Honda Pilot
2017 GMC Acadia Denali
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Curb weight (lbs.)
4054
3956
4026
Length(in)
201.2
194.5
193.6
193.1
Width(in)
75.8
78.6
75.4
74.2
Height(in)
70.9
69.8
66.0
66.5
Ground clearance (in)
8.1
NA
7.2
7.3
Wheelbase (in)
119.8
111
112.5
110.2
Track width (in) F/R
63.9/64.1
66.3/66.3
64.5/64.5
64.1/64.5
2017 Dodge Durango has an impressive ground clearance of 8.1 inches. GMC Acadia Denali and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited flaunt a ground clearance of 7.2 and 7.3 inches, respectively. With a wheelbase of 119.8 inches, Dodge Durango leads the pack. Hyundai Santa Fe Limited offers the least wheelbase of 110.2 inches in the competition. Wheelbases for Honda Pilot LX and GMC Acadia Denali are 111 and 112.5 inches, respectively.
Big crosshair grille in the front
Racing coupes-inspired LED rear lights
A range of optional exterior packages to opt for
Heated side mirrors
18-inch standard wheels
Big crosshair grille in the front
Racing coupes-inspired LED rear lights
A range of optional exterior packages to opt for
Heated side mirrors
18-inch standard wheels
Safety
5.9/10
2017 Dodge Durango has a superb NHTSA and IIHS scorecard. Most of the parameters in NHTSA are rated with 5 stars, including side barrier and overall side crash rating. Overall rating and rollover rating are rated with a 4-star rating. Side strength and roof strength are rated Good.
The 2017 avatar of the Dodge Durango flaunts a €œSuperior€Â front crash prevention. Moreover, there are a number of safety and reliability features available with the coupe. The list includes rain brake support, ABS, and Parksense rear Park assist. Other notable features include adaptive cruise control and a rear backup camera.
Safety Features
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST
RAINBRAKE SUPPORT
BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) WITH REAR CROSS-PATH DETECTION
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW) [14] WITH ACTIVE BRAKINGPARKVIEWREAR BACK-UP CAMERA
READY ALERT BRAKING (R A B ) ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ( A W D )
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ( ABS )
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST
RAINBRAKE SUPPORT
BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) WITH REAR CROSS-PATH DETECTION
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW) [14] WITH ACTIVE BRAKINGPARKVIEWREAR BACK-UP CAMERA
READY ALERT BRAKING (R A B ) ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ( A W D )
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ( ABS )
NHTSA
Overall Rating
4 Star
Overall Frontal Crash Rating
4 Star
Frontal Crash Rating Driver Side
4 Star
Frontal Crash Rating Passenger Side
5 Star
Overall Side Crash Rating
5 Star
Combined Side Barrier and Pole Rating Front Seat
5 Star
Combined Side Barrier and Pole Rating Front Seat Rear Seat
5 Star
Side Barrier
5 Star
Side barrier Driver
5 Star
Side barrier Rear Passenger
5 Star
Overall Side Pole Star Rating
5 Star
Rollover Rating
4 Star
IIHS
Crashworthiness
Small overlap front driver side
Marginal
Small overlap front passenger side
NA
Moderate overlap front
Good
Side
Good
Roof strength
Good
Head restraints & seats
Good
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation
Front Crash Prevention
Superior
Headlights
Marginal
LATCH
Acceptable
Competition
7.0/10
GMC Acadia Denali
With an opening bid of $46,920, GMC Acadia Denali is the most expensive ride in the segment. The ride flaunts a 3.6L V6 engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission mode. The powerful engine generates pack-leading power of 310 hp. Moreover, it produces 271 lb.-ft. that is the maximum one can get in the class. GMC Acadia Denali shoots to 60 MPH in 6.3 seconds, making it 1.3 seconds faster than that of the Dodge Durango in doing the same.
Acadia Denali has the biggest brakes in the competition. Both of its brakes measure 17 inches in size. Total curb weight for the coupe is 3956 lbs. This is comparable but less than that of the Honda Pilot LX and Santa Fe Limited from Hyundai. The ride delivers a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, same as that of the Dodge Durango and Hyundai Santa Fe Limited. Ground clearance and wheelbase for GMC Acadia Denali is 7.2 and 112.5 inches, respectively.
Honda Pilot LX
Another competitor to the 2017 Dodge Durango is the Honda Pilot LX. Supporting a 3.5L V6 engine, the ride makes use of a 6-speed automatic transmission mode for gear-shifting. The V6 engine in Pilot LX generates 280 hp of power and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. Pricing options for the SUV start from $30,595. Honda Pilot LX rushes to 60 MPH in just 6.1 seconds. Though it is not remarkable, it is the best that one can get in the class.
Honda Pilot LX supports a total curb weight of 4054 lbs., making it the bulkiest ride in the class. It comes to a full halt at a distance of 128 ft. when fully decelerated from 60 MPH. Pilot LX leads the pack with a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg. In cities, the ride delivers 19 mpg, while on highways it offers a mileage of 27 mpg. Honda Pilot LX supports a wheelbase of 111 inches. The ride offers an impressive headroom of 40.1 inches in the front and 40.2 inches in the rear.
Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
In the segment, Hyundai Santa Fe Limited has the least engine capacity of 3.3L. The ride features a 3.3L V6 engine that delivers 290 hp of power and 252 lb.-ft. of torque. Santa Fe Limited relies on a 6-speed automatic transmission mode for gear-shifting. The opening bid for the coupe is set at $30,800. The ride takes 6.7 seconds for hitting the 60 MPH mark. It takes 15.2 seconds to cover a quarter-mile. Not impressive but still better than the Dodge Durango.
Hyundai Santa Fe Limited flaunts the smallest rear brake of 11.9 inches in the competition. However, it bests both Pilot LX and Acadia Denali in stopping while decelerated from 60 MPH. It does so at 125 feet. Like Dodge Durango and GMC Acadia Denali, Santa Fe Limited delivers a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg. Curb weight of the Santa Fe Limited is 4026 lbs. and ground clearance is 7.3 inches. It has the smallest wheelbase of 110.2 inches among its class rivals.
Final Verdict
2017 Dodge Durango flaunts some alluring performance as well as interior feats that most of its class rivals don't. Moreover, the ride flaunts a powerful V6 engine. Though an option for the V8 engine is also available, it needs to be added at the expense of too-low fuel economy. Nonetheless, there is plenty of room for passengers as well as for the cargo.
2017 Dodge Durango competitors outshine the midsize SUV in terms of a lengthy standard feature list and less expensive upper trims. Furthermore, some rivals even offer better fuel economy. Nonetheless, 2017 Dodge Durango remains a top performer in midsize SUV category with lavish interiors and an impressive towing capacity.
