The D is basically the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is a bit longer to account for the third row, but the underpinnings are exactly the same. So...if you like the Jeep, you'll like the D. Same vehicle...

 

different transfer cases, and we don't have any fancy snow mode etc that the JGC would have. I don't think the durango performs anywhere close to a JGC in snow.

 

I don't understand why all the car company's ditched regular 4x4 in favor of "AWD". Let's face it...it's not as good as a 4x4 truck or Jeep in any weather. Yes, it's probably better than 2WD, and it probably performs pretty well on moderately snowy, flat roads....but I doubt AWD holds a candle to the others in deep snow and or hills.

I currently have a Grand Caravan and it's mostly hills where I live, and harsh winters, so I'm a bit concerned...which is why I asked about the Durango AWD, but in my opinion, my GC with snow tires will be just as a good as the AWD Durango with OEM tires.

I mean, if you COULD choose regular 4x4 with a Hi and Lo option, or AWD, wouldn't you prefer 4x4?

 

Underpinnings are most certainly NOT the same.

 

I would, but I also prefer manual transmission in most vehicles so I guess they aren't interested in my opinion.

Example: I have a friend that had an older (maybe about 98) Jeep GC that had a fully automatic AWD system of some kind. They replaced it with a Nissan Pathfinder (the truck kind, not the new mallfinder version) that had a system that needed to be switched on and off. She hates it.

That's the kind of person that they make automatic AWD systems for. She's not going to pull any stumps out. She doesn't need low range.

The D AWD system is great in snow. Limiting factor is height.

 

OK, I stand corrected. Guess I'll do some research b/f I spout stuff off from now on. I thought they were a lot closer than they are...

 

AWD is rad in snow. It's just clearance that's the issue. Going up to the cabin the Hemi AWD was more stable than ALL of my 3 ram 4x4s over the years and a Silverado 4x4. 2 1/2 inches of snow and no chains on fortera's. Driveway is 300 feet long at a huge incline. Can't wait for this year.

 

thats probably because the durango has better front / rear weight distribution vs a pickup truck. I have to admit, the durango did make it up my hill, ~300 ft as well and a 35-40 degree incline i believe it to be.

 

Ya clearance is really the issue not the capable awd system. Those of you who drive in snow I recommend some caution when driving through any drift that is about an inch or two higher than your ground clearance. We pancaked our D onto a drift last winter, getting the truck free is deffinitly not something I recommend you do for fun :P . Hopefully I won't do that again now that the d has 4 and a bit more inches of ground clearance.

 

2011 AWD DD Express with new Goodyear SR-A's and a lake Michigan effect Blizzard today and its "no worries" very confident in its capabilities. I have 106,000 miles and it's as good as the day i bought it.