Is the Dodge Durango the Fastest Three-seater Around?
YouTuber Alex Dykes analyzed the Durango lineup and found a compelling vehicle that can go the distance.
As an eight-year-old vehicle, the Dodge Durango is essentially the automotive equivalent to an elder statesman. It’s also a bit of an odd duck. FCA currently has no other three-row vehicle in its lineup aside from the Durango–luxury brands included. That stands in stark contrast to crosstown rivals Ford and General Motors, both of which have multiple three-row utility vehicles at different price points. Can the Durango compete effectively with them?
In a recent review, Alex Dykes of Alex on Autos answers that question with a definitive “yes!” He personally owns a 2018 Durango R/T but sampled a 2019 SRT for the purposes of his test. Dykes effectively makes the case for the Dodge without coming across as biased, and that’s largely because he offers a solid analysis of why buyers should consider the Durango.
Durango: Almost One-of-a-kind Vehicle
Dykes immediately acknowledges what makes the Durango a unique utility vehicle at the start of his review. “If you’re looking for a crossover that is ‘affordable’ in America that has three rows and goes 0-60 in under five seconds, this is one of the incredibly few options in America,” Dykes says. He then lays out the surprising reality that aside from the Tesla Model X, there is no other American crossover with performance chops comparable to the Durango. If you want something as fast as the Durango, it’s Tesla, or a European luxury brand.
Performance angle aside, Dykes points out that the Durango makes a compelling case for itself for another major reason. Durango models with the 5.7-liter Hemi are equipped to tow 7,500 pounds, a figure that bests any non-luxury three row crossover currently on the market. Dykes tested the SRT model that comes standard with the 6.4-liter Hemi, which gets an even higher rating.
“But this beats the GMC Yukon, the Chevy Suburban, and something like the Toyota Sequoia or even mid-size pickup trucks like the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma by a wide margin when it comes to towing ability,” says Dykes. He also points out the Durango’s weight, which in SRT form is around 5,500 pounds. According to Dykes, that helps the Durango with towing because heavier vehicles will not get tossed around as easily as lighter ones.
Few Drawbacks
But the Durango’s unique position in the marketplace also makes it vulnerable to certain advantages possessed by its rivals. Dykes found the Durango’s cabin a bit lacking when compared to other vehicles. Newer entries in the three row segment offer more overall headroom and legroom. And those competitors are shorter in total length. “Any way you slice it, the Durango has less interior room inside then some of those newer crossovers like the Telluride or Palisade. That’s just one of the trade offs for getting the big V8’s under the hood,” says Dykes.
Dykes was also a bit let down with the Durango’s interior materials. “One thing that FCA has done a great job on lately is really improving the quality of their interiors, but because the Durango is one of the older products we still see some hints of old Chrysler, old FCA in here,” adds Dykes. He liked the leather armrests and padded dashboard but felt that it contrasted too sharply with the plastic door panels. That probably isn’t an issue with lower priced Durango models, but the SRT starts at more than double the price of the base model and there are a lot of competitors in between those figures.
The Durango really shines on the road. “If you want a better handling three-row crossover, you really will have to look into the luxury segment,” says Dykes. Aside from the rip-roaring performance provided by the 6.7 liter Hemi, Dykes found a crossover that was more than willing to carve corners around his southern California testing ground. He also notes that the large displacement offered by the SRT model is useful for engine braking, a useful feature for buyers in need of a vehicle that can competently tow downhill. The Durango’s adaptive suspension also won accolades from Dykes, who wished the setup was also available on lower priced models. He did note that the Durango’s aggressive exhaust note might deter some buyers who regularly tow because it’s loud. That being said, when pressed without pulling a load, he very much enjoyed it.
Dykes always breaks down a particular model’s pricing at the end of his reviews. For the Durango, he notes that the lower trim models compete with vehicles like the Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot. At the higher end, it can compete with vehicles like the Ford Expedition or Chevy Suburban. And the minimum 7,000 pound tow rating offered by the R/T models and up is important because the Durango represents a huge value when compared to those body-on-frame utility vehicles. Dykes feels that those higher end Durango models are the most compelling for buyers.
With ample cargo capacity, a killer engine, great handling, and excellent towing capability, the 2019 Durango SRT is one of the most capable vehicles on the market today. It’s also extremely unique. FCA may not have a body-on-frame three row available for buyers, but the Durango proves that they don’t really need to. Dykes offers a comprehensive review unmatched by anyone else on the internet. It’s worth a half-hour of your time.