2018 Dodge Durango
Starting at $31,390
Select a year
- Highs Available gutsy V-8 engine, athletic handling, attractive and comfortable interior.
- Lows Trails the competition in fuel economy, tight second and third rows, lack of interior storage space.
- Verdict The 2018 Dodge Durango offers the choice of two satisfying engines, decent cargo and towing capacity, and a comfortable, well-designed cabin.
Overview
Dodge, the bad-boy brand of Fiat Chrysler, is home to some of the most tire-roasting muscle cars in the automotive kingdom. An SUV with seating for up to seven doesn’t sound as if it would fit into that lineup, but the Durango easily earns its place alongside the Charger sedan and the Challenger coupe with an available Hemi V-8 and standard rear-wheel drive. Sure, there are more practical crossovers available, and more fuel-efficient ones, too, but the trade-offs are small. The Durango’s towing capacity easily bests rivals in this class, and it has the most intuitive infotainment system around.
What's New for 2018?
The 2018 Durango gets an extra dose of attitude courtesy of flared fenders, deep-set grille, and ventilated hood, plus two new colors: B5 Blue and In Violet Metallic. Inside, all models now have a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and a new gearshift lever. There's a standard 7.0-inch driver display, and the optional 8.4-inch infotainment system now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base SXT trims add a leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear parking sensors to the spec sheet, while Durango GTs benefit from the addition of a power liftgate and leather-and-suede bucket seats.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- SXT: $31,390
- GT: $39,290
- Citadel: $43,590
- R/T: $45,140
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With either the standard 293-hp 3.6-liter V-6 or the optional 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, the Durango is a gutsy rig with plenty of dynamism for towing and merging into traffic. The Durango’s fuel economy doesn’t beat that of its four-cylinder rivals, of course, but the trade-off for the burly V-8 might be worth it to some buyers. The gutsy engines and either rear- or all-wheel drive lend the Durango a muscle-car feel on the road. Handling is athletic for a heavy SUV, yet its ride isn’t compromised in the name of performance. Although there is some body roll in corners, the Durango handles well for its size and offers a quiet interior while cruising. The down side is that the suspension doesn’t soak up larger bumps as well as its more softly sprung rivals.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Durango features a nicely laid-out interior with good ergonomics, material quality, and overall comfort, but its second and the third rows are only suitable for children and teens. A new sport steering wheel with paddle shifters is standard across the lineup for 2018, as is a new gearshift lever that replaces last year’s rotary-knob controller. With its rear seats folded, the Durango offers more than enough space for hauling cargo, but its storage cubbies throughout the cabin aren’t as large or accommodating as those in other crossovers. Compared to its rivals, the Durango actually has some of the lowest storage space by volume in its first and second rows.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect is among the most intuitive infotainment systems available, allowing the Durango to best many of its rivals. The 5.0-inch screen, standard on lower trims, is adequate, but the available 8.4-inch screen is preferable due to its larger size and bigger icons. Bluetooth connectivity is standard on all trims; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come with the 8.4-inch touchscreen. An optional rear-seat entertainment system adds dual screens and provides HDMI and RCA ports to connect even more devices.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the Dodge Durango’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
