The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Blistering V-8s
- Brawny lines
- 8,700-pound towing max
- Good infotainment
Dislikes
- Terrible mpg
- Old-school crash-test record
- Likely its last year
- Firm ride
Buying tip
features & specs
These throwback SUVs are an old-school delight when fitted with V-8 power, but they’re also dinosaurs when it comes to fuel consumption and crash-test ratings.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Dodge Durango? What does it compare to?
The 2024 Durango is a three-row SUV with burly styling and, in many versions, burly V-8 power. Compare it to the Jeep Grand Cherokee for towing utility, or car-like rivals such as the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer for day-to-day utility.
Is the 2024 Dodge Durango a good SUV?
While hardly the most space or fuel-efficient SUV, the Durango has its charms—at least when a V-8 is under its hood. We rate it a 5.5 out of 10 on account of its strong engines and spacious, if not exactly classy, cabin. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Dodge Durango?
In what is likely to be this generation’s final model year, the Durango adds standard blind-spot monitors across the lineup and the Citadel trim level can now tow up to 7,800 pounds. Otherwise, the range is unchanged.
Arguably the quintessential muscle SUV, the Durango wears buff styling in just about every trim. Its low roof and big fender flares give it a Hot Wheels look. Inside it’s stylish and relatively modern, with a big touchscreen and nice materials throughout.
But if you’re looking at a Durango in 2024, you’re probably here for the power. The standard V-6 provides reasonable thrust, but it’s no match for any of the three V-8s. In top Hellcat form, the Durango features a 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 good for just 3.5 seconds to 60 mph and a 180-mph top speed. The SRT 392’s 475-hp is more reasonable and still plenty peppy with its 4.4-second run to 60 mph, while even the R/T’s 360-hp V-8 is strong from any speed. We’re less enamored with the standard V-6; if power isn’t your priority, there are better all-around SUVs out there. All models use a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission to send power rearward or to all four wheels.
Opt for the Tow ‘n Go package and V-8-powered Durangos can lug up to 8,700 pounds in certain forms, too.
Fuel economy is, frankly, terrible. The base V-6 sees low 20s combined, but other models are well below 20 mpg in mixed driving.
But the Durango isn’t about fuel efficiency. It’s not really about space efficiency, either, though its big footprint means a relatively roomy interior and a decently large cargo area. It’s not as well-packaged as more modern rivals, though.
It’s also not as safe, with poor crash-test ratings and a surprising lack of collision-avoidance tech on some trims. If there’s a tech upside, it’s the available 10.1-inch touchscreen, which has an intuitive interface and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (The standard 8.4-inch screen is also pretty good, though its CarPlay and Android Auto needs a cable.)
How much does the 2024 Dodge Durango cost?
Dodge has yet to price the 2024 Durango as of press time, but it’s unlikely to stray far from the roughly $42,000 the automaker wanted for a base SXT version last year. Figure north of $55,000 for a V-8 in the R/T, while a loaded Hellcat can work its way to about $110,000.
Where is the 2024 Dodge Durango made?
In Detroit, Michigan.
2024 Dodge Durango Styling
The brawny Durango has looks to match its power output.
Is the Dodge Durango a good-looking SUV?
It’s no stranger to the gym, that’s for sure. The 2024 Durango flaunts its muscle-car style. Inside, the business-like cabin has a refined appearance that belies this design’s decade-old bones. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale.
Most models ride on 20-inch wheels that work well with its toned body. Eschewing any rugged cues, the Durango has a big honeycomb grille up front over a mouth-like lower intake. SRT models (and some other trims) offer sporty hood scoops and racing stripes, some of which are just a bit too much for us. At the rear, look for a racetrack-esque LED strip and big exhaust finishers.
The cabin has a decidedly cockpit feel with instruments and a center stack canted toward the driver. Dodge does a nice job balancing traditional buttons with touchscreen inputs. Depending on the trim level, Dodge offers a wide range of upholstery shades, too, and all versions have nice metallic-looking buttons and knobs scattered about.
2024 Dodge Durango Performance
The Dodge Durango’s power can live up to its swole styling.
Even the base Durango has decent handling, but it takes opting for the available V-8 to unlock this SUV’s real potential. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale for its towing ability and its potent powertrain lineup. The SRT Hellcat would net an 8, if not higher. It’s a proper performance SUV, the likes of which we’ll never see again.
Is the Dodge Durango 4WD?
Rear-wheel drive is standard on non-SRT versions. Other models deliver power to all four wheels. The Durango isn’t an off-roader, though. It sits low to the ground and rides on big wheels.
How fast is the Dodge Durango?
Let’s start at the top, where the Durango SRT Hellcat uses a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 from the dearly departed Charger and Challenger. With 710 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque, it vaults to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and ticks off the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds. Perhaps even wilder is its 180-mph top speed.
The SRT 392’s 6.4-liter V-8 runs 475 naturally aspirated ponies to the ground for a 4.4-second run to 60 mph. It’s as fast as most mere mortals actually need, though we have no problem with the 5.7-liter V-8 found in the R/T. At 360 hp, it is plenty quick and, properly equipped, it’s rated to tow up to 8,700 pounds. That’s in line with some big pickups, though it’s worth noting that the best tow rating requires four-wheel drive.
Even the 3.6-liter V-6 that comes standard has a decent 6,200-pound towing capacity, but its 295 hp enables a relatively slow run to 60 mph just shy of eight seconds.
All models have a firm ride, though those with SRT badges are even firmer thanks to top-spec Bilstein shocks and struts. The fully independent suspension delivers good handling, and hearty steering weight enables even the base Durango to nudge its way through corners far better than its mass would otherwise suggest.
2024 Dodge Durango Comfort & Quality
The 2024 Dodge Durango has decent room for seven passengers and their gear.
While not as space-efficient as most of its crossover rivals, the 2024 Durango has an interior with plenty of room. It’s a 9 on the TCC scale thanks to good front and second rows and a big cargo bay.
The front seats are firm but offer good adjustment. Second-row passengers will find good room for two with the available captain’s chairs. The standard three-seat bench is a tight squeeze for its advertised passenger count. Row three is for kids and that’s about it, unlike the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
Cargo-wise, the Durango can lug 17 cubic feet of stuff behind row three before maxing out at 85 cubic feet with rows two and three folded down. The cargo floor is somewhat high and lumpy when the seatbacks are folded down.
Interior materials impress at the bottom end of the spectrum. Top models run six figures, where competitors offer far nicer trim—but not nearly as much underhood power. It’s clear where Dodge spent its money.
2024 Dodge Durango Safety
The 2024 Dodge Durango is a dud when it comes to safety.
How safe is the Dodge Durango?
It’s not especially safe, at least by modern standards. With a design that debuted more than a decade ago, the Durango comes to the crash-test party with old bones. No standard crash-avoidance tech hurts it, too. We give it a 2 due to the lack of tech, a four-star NHTSA rating, and a concerning “Marginal” score in the driver-side front overlap test from the IIHS.
If there’s a bright side here, it’s that Dodge bundles automatic emergency braking with active lane control and adaptive cruise control, so at least those drivers who seek out that equipment will get a full complement of features we recommend.
2024 Dodge Durango Features
Dodge offers a huge lineup of Durango models, not all of which are great values.
Sort through the wide lineup of Durango versions and you’ll find some real standouts when it comes to features and equipment. We rate the overall lineup at 6 out of 10, with a good infotainment system all of those options offset by a lack of crash-avoidance gear.
The Durango lineup starts around $42,000 for a base SXT, or $44,000 with all-wheel drive. You’ll find an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless start, heated cloth seats, and seating for five.
Dodge includes a basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Which Dodge Durango should I buy?
If you’re focused on a budget-friendly Durango, skip the base SXT and go for the SXT Plus for about $2,000 more with its standard crash-avoidance gear and sunroof.
But we’d keep going and unlock the 5.7-liter V-8 in R/T guise since, frankly, other SUVs work better with V-6 power. The R/T runs about $56,000 to start with its 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, leather seats, heated second-row seating, third-row seats, and Alpine audio system. For about $59,000, though, the R/T Plus tempts with its Nappa leather and its crash-avoidance gear.
How much is a fully loaded Dodge Durango?
It can easily top $100,000 for a Hellcat. The top Premium trim comes with Brembo brakes, Bilstein dampers, 19 Harman Kardon speakers, leather trim on its dash, and a host of other goodies. Keep going with extra-cost paint, racing stripes, and other bits and Dodge will want $112,000 or so.
2024 Dodge Durango Fuel Economy
It may come in green, but the Dodge Durango is hardly earth-friendly.
Is the Dodge Durango good on gas?
Not at all. It’s quite bad. The base V-6 can be somewhat fuel efficient in rear-drive form. Its EPA rating of 19 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined is good for a 2 here.
More desirable V-8 models are not frugal at just 14/22/17 mpg. Predictably, the SRT nudges down to just 13/19/15 mpg, while the Hellcat is rated at just 13 mpg combined.
There’s no hybrid tech here, though the 5.7-liter V-8 has a cylinder deactivation system to save some fuel while cruising.
