I'm on the fence of buying a R/T or a suburban. I have 4 young kids now and figure in time we would be growing into the SUV, I love the look and style of the DD but I'm concerned that it may be too small later down the road. As for the chevy/GMC its huge now and we can grow into it. The styling is not like the dodge, so this is the question Do you feel you made the right choice for your needs?
PS We have a Toyota minivan main "family veichale" for the long road trips!!! Thanks

 

My last three vehicles were: Tahoe (3 kids) suburban (when we had our 4th kid) Pilot (after wife got a new Odessey) and now the Durango.

I love the Durango with Hemi and wouldn't trade it for the Suburban...but if it's going to be your long road trip vehicle the extra 18" cargo room in the suburban is nice. That's why I went from Tahoe to suburban.

 

"DD" s always make me very happy.


As for the Durango, meh they're OK but not as good as DDs.

 

I currently own a 2011 R/T and love the vehicle, so much infact that I purchased the lifetime max care warranty as I plan on driving the wheels off the thing. The one big gripe I have has been fixed by going with the 8 speed ZF. The software for my transmission Has never been perfect, the way it shifts and there is a light throttle surge that's gotten better with the work thats been done, but is really just an annoyance. As far as the vehicle as a whole I love it. The option for the second row captain chair was not available but wish I had that as the kids are lazy and do not fully fold down the second row, so they are always stepping on the back of the seat. Love the dvd player for the kids, and it is the quietest, most comfortable highway SUV I have every had. It just feels solid and planted to the road, handling I would consider as great for a bigger SUV. Looks as you stated are nice and give it a nice look. The actual transfer case with low, vs a fwd biased SUV make it a better AWD system. Overall, very pleased. Good luck with your choice

 

I have a 14 Citadel and I love it! I wouldn't trade it for a Suburban, BUT, it is only my wife, our 2 week old son, 2 Cane Corsos, and myself. If I had 4 growing kids I would be scooting around in a Suburban for sure!! I'm sure one road trip with the entire family plus luggage, and you will be kicking yourself in the **** for not getting the bigger of the two vehicles.....

 

We bought our 2011 Crew in September of 2012, and have had very few issues overall. Aside from the 3-4 recalls that we've taken it in for, and a front suspension creaking issue (not a defect, just a problem from a tumble into a mountain side ditch), its been very solid.

My wife, who is generally very "meh" about cars, actually has an opinion on the Durango, and she really loves it. We're definitely considering upgrading to a 2015+ model year at some point in the next 6-12 months.

 

If you need extra space you can always use the roof rack or put a cargo bin on the hitch, or both.

 

Wife and 2 kids (13 & 10) and love the Durango. On vacations/trips it can get a bit tight with the luggage/etc. If I had 4 kids, I'd be driving a Suburban. Or getting the wife a minivan and driving the Durango myself.

 

We just upgraded to the Durango from a 14 Equinox! Talk about small vehicles! The Nox also had the dreaded 2.4 4 cyl engine. This engine should NEVER installed in anything bigger than a Cobalt! We actually went back a couple years to be able to own a Durango (and absorb the hit from being underwater on the Nox) but it's worth it...Loving the Durango!

 

Yes, I LOVE my 2011 CrewLux. we have 4 kids, ages 10 down to 6 months. my D has the 2nd row bench seat (vs the captains chairs) so it seats 7, even with a baby carrier strapped in.

it handles like a car, it looks bad as hell, I have a sunroof, 20 in tires, leather everywhere, and I have a 5.7L HEMI. and I get 20-22 mpg on the interstate.

what the &%$#@! is there not to like???

even my wife, who is also *meh* about cars, likes the D.

now, we do have a 2011 Chrysler T&C Limited for long road trips. hands down the T&C handles everyone AND the luggage better than the D. you simply cannot beat a good minivan when it comes to long trips for family AND the carrier group support level of luggage you need for enjoying long trips.

Personally, I plan to drive the D for years. LOVE it.