2019 Dodge Durango

Overview

Dodge, the bad-boy brand of Fiat Chrysler, is home to some of the most tire-roasting, sideways-driving 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 its rivals in this class, and sitting atop its contoured dashboard is the most intuitive infotainment system around. A rear-seat entertainment system is also available to keep the kiddos entertained while you bomb the back roads. When it comes to SUVs, the Durango offers the most swagger and charm in this humdrum segment, and that's why we've named it to our Editors' Choice list multiple times.

What's New for 2019?

Dodge has made a handful of updates to the Durango for 2019, which starts with optional leather seats in the base SXT, available cloth seating in the mid-range GT, and a new 825-watt Harman/Kardon audio system in the Citadel and R/T models. The Citadel receives second-row captain's chairs as standard and the GT can be ordered with a functional hood scoop; blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standalone options on all Durangos, and ordering the Trailer Tow package now includes an integrated trailer brake.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

If it were our money, we'd go with the SXT Plus trim level. It offers as standard a power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the V-8 power is amusing, we recommend the strong and refined V-6, which is more fuel efficient and likely to be sufficient for most drivers. Instead of spending money on upgrades beneath the hood, we'd select the second-row captain's chairs and the Popular Equipment package, which adds a power rear liftgate, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Engine, Transmission, Performance, and Towing

Likes: Brawny towing capacity, sonorous V-8 engine, athletic driving feel.
Dislikes: Both engines are thirsty for gasoline, numb steering feel, disappointing braking performance.

The Durango's optional 360-hp V-8 provides a significant boost in towing capacity, while the 293-hp V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are a more efficient pairing. The Durango's fuel economy doesn't beat that of its four-cylinder rivals, of course, but the trade-off for the more entertaining V-8 and its burly towing capacity might be worth it for some buyers. We tested both the V-6 and V-8 engines with the standard eight-speed automatic and optional all-wheel drive. The Durango with the V-6 managed a 7.4-second zero-to-60-mph run; the V-8 did it in 6.2 seconds. The Durango has more towing capacity than its competitors, which should make it attractive to buyers with trailers or large toys to haul. Unfortunately, in order to get the Durango's maximum towing capacity of 7400 pounds, you must spec the thirstier V-8 engine and rear-wheel drive, because V-6 and all-wheel-drive models earn a lower 6200-pound rating.

The Dodge's suspension walks the fine line between sport and comfort, but the steering feel and braking performance remind you that you're driving an SUV. Although it's not overtly sporty, the Durango's rear-wheel-drive platform lends an athletic feel to the Durango, and its muscle-car persona shines through in everyday use. It still manages to deliver a comfortable ride, making it a family-friendly SUV that's both fun to drive and easy to live with.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Crossovers with a four-cylinder under the hood are more efficient, but the Durango's V-6 is still competitive with other V-6–powered rivals. In our highway fuel-economy test, the V-8–powered Durango R/T surprised us by outperforming its EPA rating (and even its own V-6–powered variant) as well as the lighter and more modern GMC Acadia V-6. The V-8–powered Durango managed 23 mpg while the V-6 underperformed its EPA rating with a 22-mpg result.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Well-executed interior design, easy-to-use infotainment system, vast cargo space with all seats folded.
Dislikes: Limited cargo space behind third-row seats, best infotainment features are optional, second and third rows not as spacious as some rivals.

Every manufacturer uses a combination of materials that range from cheap to high quality, but some designs such as the Durango's are better executed than others. Designers prioritized ergonomics, material quality, and overall comfort, but other rivals offer more second- and third-row passenger space. A set of gauges featuring red and white on a black background faces the driver. The font is playful without being illegible, and a standard 7.0-inch reconfigurable digital speedometer is front and center; it provides access to vehicle status, fuel economy, audio information, and navigation. The steering wheel features a thick, leather-wrapped rim and handsome metal-look trim. On our R/T test vehicle, paddle shifters mounted behind the wheel operated with a satisfying click.

With one of the best infotainment systems on the market perched atop its sculpted dashboard, the Durango is better than many of its rivals, but only if buyers choose the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen. A rear-seat entertainment system, also optional, adds dual screens and provides HDMI and RCA ports to connect even more devices. Bluetooth phone connectivity is standard on all trims; SXT Plus trims and above offer audio streaming. We noted good audio quality for Bluetooth phone calls, and one caller even commented that she could hear the V-8 engine's sonorous rumble.

We were able to fit 30 carry-on suitcases inside the Durango's cabin with all of its seats folded flat, but we only fit four behind the third row with all seats in place. That's two more than the Acadia managed in both measurements. The Ford Explorer held only 25 overall (the same as the Mazda CX-9), but it offered space for six of our cases behind the third row, making it best for hauling people and cargo at the same time.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Durango's crash-test results are acceptable, but they're far from class leading. Optional automated emergency braking adds an extra layer of protection, and its standard backup camera helps with safely reversing the big beast. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking
• Available adaptive cruise control
• Available lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Dodge offers a typical warranty with all new Durangos; extended warranties are available for purchase through dealerships. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is the best in the industry. Most other competitors offer roughly the same coverage as the Durango. GMC and Toyota provide two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, but Durango buyers will have to pay separately for such services.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance