2021 Dodge Durango R/T SUV

The interior, as well as exterior, has also been refreshed for the 2021 model year. However, if you dig under the skin, it is not hard to find its age. While the V8 powertrain offers excellent pulling power, it remains a gas-guzzler. Dodge has now added optional features such as wireless device charging and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to modernize its interior. The Durango R/T goes up against other American-made mid-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Ford Explorer ST.

The R/T model of the 2021 Dodge Durango starts at $45,920 for the base trim that comes with a rear-wheel-drive setup. For about $2,600 more you can upgrade the base trim with an all-wheel-drive drivetrain which not only improves its off-roading capabilities but also makes the steering feel slightly more responsive. The new Tow N Go package can be had for another $4,995 that increases the towing capacity to 8,700 pounds from 7,400 pounds. Both options come powered by a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine.

Talking about the standard features list, it offers leather and suede upholstery, heated and eight-way power-adjustable front seats, driver's seat memory settings, heated second-row seats, a heated power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel remote start, and a household-style power outlet as standard. The R/T model also comes with features that are optional with the standard model like the 10.1-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, Amazon Alexa, and nine-speaker Alpine premium stereo. It also upgrades the safety features list with rain-sensing windshield wipers, front parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Which Trim should you buy?

If you want the most bang for your buck we recommend you to stick with the base trim as it now gets a lot more features. The infotainment system has also been upgraded with the new 10.1-inch touchscreen. However, if your drive involves a lot of towing, for an MSRP of $52,900, it does not get better than the Durango R/T equipped with the Tow N Go package.

The 2021 Dodge Durango R/T is powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that is much more powerful than the standard 3.6-liter V6 engine. It is capable of developing 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque which is at par with its rivals. Paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission it is capable of pushing the SUV from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 sec. 

The powertrain feels quite entertaining past 4000 RPM and the surge of torque gives you a push-back feel once you floor the gas pedal. It can handle city traffic as well as highway overtakes quite easily and makes you aware of its muscle car roots even during its everyday drive. The transmission skims through gears seamlessly with slight hesitation to upshift occasionally at low speeds.

While the Durango R/T and the Jeep Grand Cherokee get the same powertrain, the latter is faster as the former is heavier. With the AWD setup the Durango’s towing capacity increases by another 200 lbs. However, the Tow N Go package takes up to 8,600 lbs. The Ford Explorer ST comes out to the top when it comes to performance. With its lighter curb weight and a more powerful engine, the Explorer is certainly much more athletic. 

How well does the 2021 Dodge Durango R/T handle?

The Durango R/T also features performance enhancements over the standard model. It comes with performance-tuned steering as well as a sport suspension. Thus, the ride is on the stiffer side and requires you to slow down on broken roads. While the steering feels much more predictable than the one in the standard model, it still does not feel as well-tuned as some of its rivals. What you will appreciate is the reduction in the amount of the body roll due to the stiffened suspension setup. 

Thus, while the Durango R/T is no track-day weapon, all the enhancements do help it gain better control over its momentum. Even with the performance suspension, it can still go over rough roads without any issues. Anything more challenging and you will feel more of the road filtering inside the cabin. Overall, the performance tuning does make it feel more confident at high speed but the steering still remains a sore point of the ride and handling package.

2021 Dodge Durango R/T Braking Performance

The Dodge Durango R/T shares more than just the platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It gets the same brake rotors as well as brake pads as its corporate sibling. However, it is much heavier than the Jeep and thus travels a longer distance in order to come to a halt. The high ground clearance also means there is some amount of nose-dive under hard braking but it is very minimal thanks to the stiffened suspension setup. 

What you will appreciate is the feedback that the brake pedal provides with its progressive nature. Even under hard braking conditions, it does not feel wooden. In comparison, the Ford Explorer ST comes out to the top even in terms of braking performance. Its lightweight construction not only helps it accelerate faster but also to come to a halt sooner than its rivals.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Dodge Durango R/T is sure to disappoint many of its users. While the V8 mill offers excellent towing capacity, it fails to impress in terms of fuel efficiency. The heavyweight cannot match its modern-day efficient four-cylinder rivals. It offers 14 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and a combined mpg figure of 18. While the figures are certainly not the best in its class, they should not come as a surprise, courtesy of their heavy curb weight.

With almost identical EPA ratings, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango R/T rank at the bottom of the list here. The Chevrolet Traverse takes the top spot in terms of fuel economy with its class-leading 27 mpg figure over the highway. Thus, it is the most pocket-friendly mid-size SUV in this comparison with the Explorer ST being slightly behind it.

With the new 2021 update, the Durango R/T has finally received the much-needed refresh in terms of the interior. While it gets a mixed bag of premium and cheap-feeling materials, things feel quite well put together on the inside. The dashboard might look a bit simple and boring to the younger audience as it focuses more on functionality than looks. High-seat height and ground clearance ensure that you have a good view of the road up ahead. All-around visibility is great with the ergonomics being well-sorted. 

The first two rows provide ample space to stretch out and the seats offer good support for a comfortable ride. The third row is not as spacious as the other two but can be used for short trips. The easy access to the third row also ensures that the third-row passengers will not be left complaining about comfort. Overall, the Durango R/T’s interior feels quite comfortable and premium with more features added to the list now.

The Dodge Durango R/T has about enough space to store about 2 carry-on suitcases behind its third row. However, once you fold down the third row, space expands to 43.3 cubic feet. With both, the back rows folded you get 85.1 cubic feet of space that are enough to move household items. Being the biggest SUV here, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offers the best in class cargo capacity. Key Interior features include:

• Two-zone Climate Control
• Push Button Start
• Heated Rear Window with Timer
• Front Seats w/Power 4-Way Driver Lumbar
• 12-Way Power Driver Seat
• 12-Way Power Passenger Seat
• Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• Illuminated Front Cupholder
• Garage Door Transmitter
• Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
• Remote Keyless Entry

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Dodge has been doing quite well in terms of providing a user-friendly infotainment system with its vehicles. The Durango R/T gets the larger 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The rear-seat entertainment system is still optional which adds dual screens with HDMI and RCA ports. While the interface is quite easy to operate, the in-built navigation is not very intuitive to use.

Key Infotainment features include:

• 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
• In-built navigation
• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• A wireless smartphone charging pad
• Amazon Alexa
• Nine-speaker Alpine premium stereo

The Dodge Durango R/T is all about showing off your muscles in terms of looks. With are the butch stance and a timeless design it demands a certain level of respect on the road. Elements such as the hood scoop and vents add a sporty touch to the overall appeal. At the front, the large hood and the honeycomb grille enhance its bold looks. No matter which angle you look at it from, its muscle car ethos is quite visible. At the rear, its boring box-shaped profile reminds you that its design was first penned down a decade ago.

In comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is the biggest SUV in terms of physical dimensions. All that translates into a roomier interior and better road presence. The Durango R/T on the other hand is no small SUV with an almost identical wheelbase as the Traverse. Exterior features include:

• 20" Alloy Wheels
• Automatic Headlights
• Heated and Powered Side Mirrors
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
• Deep Tinted Glass
• Galvanized Steel/Aluminum Panels
• Lip Spoiler
• Hemi Badge
• Power Liftgate Rear Cargo Access
• Front Fog Lamps
• LED Brakelights

The 2021 Durango R/T gets a host of active and passive safety features. Unlike the base level Durango, it does not exclude important driver assistance features. However, it still did not manage to score full marks in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as it gave the 2021 Dodge Durango an overall safety rating of four out of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the 2021 Dodge Durango the highest rating of Good in its crash tests. Key Safety Features include:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Surround-view camera system
• Active lane control
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Blind-spot monitoring

2021 Dodge Durango R/T vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse ranks high in terms of space and road presence. With its intuitive infotainment system and a comfortable ride, it focuses on keeping all its passengers happy. However, with no major update for its 2021 model year, its interior feels quite outdated. With its updated interior and better performance, the Durango R/T is certainly a better choice here.

2021 Dodge Durango R/T vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee shares a lot of similarities with the Durano R/T including the user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system. The Jeep showcases better handling dynamics with slightly more off-road-focused features. However, it offers lesser cargo space than the Dodge. The Durango R/T also comes with a higher tow rating, a larger 10.1-inch touch screen, and thus is a better choice.

2021 Dodge Durango R/T vs 2021 Ford Explorer ST

The Ford Explorer ST ranks high in the mid-size SUV segment with its excellent performance and plenty of standard features. It strikes a good balance between performance and fuel economy. Several active safety features that are absent in the Durango R/T are offered by the Explorer ST as standard. However, its low-rent interior feels a level below the one of the Durango. Its second-and third-row seats are also not as spacious and comfortable as the ones provided by Dodge. 

With its exciting V8 powertrain, comfortable interior, and best in the class infotainment system, the 2021 Dodge Durango R/T is quite a practical choice. It is not too hardcore like the SRT or Hellcat model to be used as a family hauler. Also, its outstanding towing capability makes it quite a versatile vehicle. Thus, if you are ready to compromise on fuel economy and can ignore its mixed crash test results, the Durango R/T will keep you quite entertained.