2021 Dodge Durango SRT SUV

Due to the exclusivity and lack of high-performance 7-seaters, the competition to the Durango SRT is limited to only the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and the Ford Explore ST - both American SUVs, having high-performance quotient and impressive acceleration. 

The 2021 Dodge Durango SRT can be had in two flavors - the SRT 392 and the new-for-2021 SRT Hellcat. The former gets an MSRP of $64,570 while the latter climbs up quite high at nearly $81,000. Since the SRT is based on the R/T, there are ample convenience features to keep the occupants happy and comfortable for a long drive while the SRT Hellcat does the same, but increases the output further. 

The Durango SRT range is already very well-equipped right from the get-go and comes equipped with three packages as standard namely, the GT Plus, the Premium Group I, and the Premium Group II. Despite all this, the company still offers Technology Group, Cargo Plus Group, Rear DVD Entertainment Centre, and Black Package to satiate the thirst for more customization. 

Which trim should you buy?

Since there is a definite answer, we recommend the SRT 392 for all the people seeking thrills with 6 more people inside. Let’s be honest, all the 710 horsepower of the SRT Hellcat is not going to be used properly anywhere besides the drag strip, at least legally and that being the main reason, the other SRT makes more sense. Couple that with loads of features on offer, and you have the perfect super SUV in your garage. 

The main talking point of the Dodge Durango SRT is what lies underneath its hood - a massive naturally aspirated 6.4L V8 that churns out massive output numbers - 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This big V8 is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission (ZF-8HP70) that sends power to all the wheels as standard. 

One thing nice about this powerplant is the seamlessness of the power delivery and the quick response of the gearbox, which enables perfect launches every time the big 6-seater’s pedal hits the floor. The ride is a bit firm owing to the sporty suspension setup but does its job well when driven aggressively.

Both the Durango SRT and the Grand Cherokee SRT are sister cars and share the same platform under the FCA and hence, are very similar on paper. In real-world performance, the former feels more urgent and responsive because of how the engine has been tuned that also results in faster times. The Explorer ST, on the other hand, does a very compelling job given the power disadvantage and the absence of 2 cylinders in it. 

How well does the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT handle?

The 2021 Dodge Durango SRT is like any other SUV in the city - calm, composed, and comfortable albeit a slightly firmer ride. The engine is not under stress anytime and the heat is controlled very well given the performance-focused tune it is set to. The seats are comfortable and the leather everywhere does make the cabin look posh. The noise insulation could’ve been better but the burly V8 exhaust note makes up for the lack of insulation. 

Similar performance is carried over on the highway where constricting to the speed limit is rather difficult and the rev-happy nature of the engine actually lures the driver to ’accidentally’ apply a bit more gas and overtake people. The suspension feels at home here and the handling characteristics do make the Durango SRT a pretty sweet handler given all the weight it carries around. 

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Braking Performance

The Dodge Durango SRT is a very powerful 6-seater that enjoys shaming other smaller and lighter cars in the quarter-mile and given this behavior, the American manufacturer has ensured that the SUV drops anchor as efficiently as it accelerates. This duty is handled via a set of 15-inch rotors up front and 13.8-inch rotors at the rear wheels. These rotors are upgraded from the R/T and are specifically designed to handle all the muscles of the engine. 

The braking performance of the Durango SRT and its contemporaries goes proportional to their curb weight, with the Explorer ST stopping in the least distance when the anchors are dropped hard. The lower weight advantage is clearly evident in the Grand Cherokee that shares a similar setup to the Durango but stops earlier too. 

One thing that doesn’t ring any bells with a 6.4L naturally aspirated V8 is fuel economy, and that is pretty understandable with the Durango SRT in the equation. This big SUV has an EPA rating of 13 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway; for a combined total of 15 MPG from its 24.6-gallon fuel tank. Thrills aren’t cheap, are they?

The SRT twins aren’t the most fuel economical, out of which the Jeep is rather thirstier due to the fact that it weighs less but returns nearly the same MPG to the heavier Dodge. On the other end, the Explorer ST is the more logical option if fuel economy ranks high in one’s list while purchasing a performance SUV. 

The interior of the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT is a really nice place to be in kudos to all the soft-touch material used on the door panels as well as on the redesigned dashboard. The door panels also have a faux carbon-fiber trim which looks well-integrated to the rest of the panel along with contrast-stitched leather for the armrest. The dashboard carries over the same soft-touch material and also houses the beautiful gloss-black AC vents, along with contrast-stitching and leather. 

The seats are as comfortable as in the luxury-focused trim but are now equipped with SRT-specific leathers. These seats have a lot of customization on tap and also provide a lot of support to the occupants which are crucial when getting late to drop off the kids at school. The rear seats also carry over similar charm as the front seats with the beautiful designs and ultimate comfort on offer. The third row is just enough to fit in an adult but it too maintains the quality that is carried forward from the front seats. 

The Jeep misses out on the third row of seating but does provide very similar cabin space to the first two rows as the Dodge, albeit a little more shoulder room. Both their cabins are very similar in terms of space but are nowhere as spacious as the Explorer that provides the most space across all three rows while seating 6 people inside as well. That being said, the highlights of the Durango’s interior are:

• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Upgraded leather seats
• Second-row captain's chairs
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Sunroof
• Wireless phone charger

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The Dodge Durango SRT has been equipped with the bigger 10.2-inch touchscreen unit, which is new for 2021, and runs FCA’s Uconnect 5, and now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user interface is as smooth as one expects it to be and the color reproduction is very crisp and clear. Using the navigation system is a piece of cake given how potent and smooth the interface is, along with the ability to type in the destination without any stutters.

In terms of amenities, this system supports Bluetooth for seamless phone pairing and music streaming. The system can also control the climate control settings along with the heating/ventilation for the seats, irrespective of the row of seating. The music duties are handled by a 9-speaker setup that includes a subwoofer as well but if this isn’t enough, Dodge also offers an upgraded 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system for the audiophiles. 

As this is an SRT, the Durango also features Performance Pages that records all the statistics and times along with G-forces the SUV endures. The drive modes give a beautiful representation of the different settings each drive mode has, along with a custom menu to appeal to individual tastes. The race option shows a very intuitive launch control interface that is very useful for the traffic-light drags. Some of the highlighting features of this system are:

• 10.1-inch touchscreen
• Dodge Uconnect
• 9-speaker audio system with subwoofer
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Navigation system
• SRT specific menus
• Voice controls
• Bluetooth
• SiriusXM

The front of the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT is enough to differentiate itself from the other Durango trims. It has been redesigned for the latest model year and now comes with a bigger headlight housing, blacked-out grille, actual vents, and the big hood scoop to keep the V8’s temperatures in check. There are LED fog lamps with functional air scoops below them. All of the lighting along with the blacked-out theme makes the SRT look aggressive and worth the loud V8 underneath the hood.

To the side, the 20-inch wheels have contrasting red SRT calipers behind them along with the big rotors. The quarter panel has a small red-colored 392 badge signifying the engine capacity and apart from that, the side is as clean as it gets, albeit a hard line that stretches over both the doors. The rear of the Durango is similar to the other trims but is differentiated by a big dual-exhaust setup. 

The Durango is the heaviest of all and is also the biggest by proportions, having the most length and the longest wheelbase, along with the most height. The closest to compete with it is the Explorer, given both the SUVs seat 6 people while the Grand Cherokee seats 5 and provides very similar space inside the cabin as the Durango. Some features of the Durango SRT that differentiate it from the bunch are:

• 20-inch wheels
• Special SRT brake calipers
• Blacked out grille and styling elements
• Redesigned LED headlights with automatic high beams
• LED fog lights
• Hood scoop
• LED tail lamps
• Dual-exhaust setup

The standard list of safety equipment on the Durango is rather scarce, with the manufacturer only offering the basic aids like ABS, EBD, and the usual passive safety features onboard but since the SRT is based on the R/T, it also gets rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors. Having said that equipping the Technology Group for $2,395 increases the scope of safety and includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning 
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitor 
• Rear cross-traffic alert 

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 

The Durango SRT and the Grand Cherokee SRT share the same platforms and hence, the same powertrain setup, much like their Trackhawk and SRT Hellcat counterparts respectively. That being said, the Durango has an obvious advantage in the form of extra passenger capacity and a better-tuned engine while providing similar fuel economy to the Jeep whereas the Grand Cherokee SRT brakes better, is lighter, and drives better.

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Vs. Ford Explorer ST

The Explorer ST is a very potent competitor to the Durango as both the SUVs seat 6 people and is very similar in terms of proportions but the obvious difference in power between the two means that the Explorer is slower off the line but provides a lot more fuel economy than the fast and thirsty V8 in the Durango SRT. Apart from this, the Explorer also has a bigger cabin and seats people more comfortably. 

The 2021 Dodge Durango SRT comes as the perfect offering if you’re someone who’s looking for a comfortable 6-seater SUV that can shame supercars in a dragstrip and has a lot of brag factor that your kids can enjoy in school. Apart from that, the SRT is pretty much the same as the other Durangos when it comes to the interior and comfort, which is quite high given the performance making the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT the perfect companion for an exciting, fast, and comfortable road trip.