The Dodge Durango: A Thoroughly Reimagined SUV

The Dodge Durango has always been known as a Rough and Ready SUV, lacking sophistication in its design and features. However, with a 2011 redesign, the Durango aims to change all that. The latest model marks a significant departure from its previous truck-based platform, instead opting for a car-based or unibody platform. This change is also shared by the just redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Next Generation Mercedes-Benz ML, making it easier for family SUVs to compete with one another.

The Durango's standard engine is a 3.6L V6, but it has an optional V8 that is also available in some models. In our test vehicle, we were equipped with the well-known 5.7L Hemi V8, which puts out plenty of power. While the fuel economy may not be its strong point, the Durango's towing capacity is quite impressive, capable of hauling over 7,000 pounds. This makes it a competitor in the market for big SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe.

All Durangos currently come equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, but they are set to switch to an 8-speed transmission in the future. This change is expected to improve performance and fuel economy, further solidifying the Durango's position as a reliable and capable SUV. The changes have transformed the way the Durango drives, providing much more capable, confident, and enjoyable handling.

Inside the Durango, you'll find a really nice interior that is a far cry from the plasticky and cheap-looking Chrysler Interiors of before. The padded dashboard, chrome accents, and luxury content available in the Durango make it stand out from its competitors. The power tilt telescope steering wheel, iPod control, Garmin Navigation, and other premium features are all part of the Durango's interior package.

One of the notable features of the Durango is its navigation system, which is one of the easiest to use in the business. However, despite its ease of use, the navigation system can be found within an overly complex touchscreen radio depending on the model. This may be a drawback for some owners, but overall, the interior of the Durango is an improvement over previous models.

The Durango also offers ample space for passengers and cargo. It has two or three rows of seats, with good room in the second row and enough space for two adults in the third row. This makes it an excellent choice for families who need a versatile SUV that can accommodate their needs. The Durango straddles two different market segments: family three-row SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse, and larger SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia.

As we continue to test the Durango at our track, we'll be able to determine how it stacks up against its competitors in terms of performance, fuel economy, and overall capabilities. Until then, one thing is clear: the Dodge Durango has undergone a significant transformation with its 2011 redesign, making it a more sophisticated and capable SUV than ever before.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe Dodge Durango has always been sort of a Rough and Ready SUV sophistication hasn't really been part of the equation but a 2011 redesign really aims to change all that we recently bought this Durango so let's go take a first drive this redesign marks a big change for the Durango it makes Le from being on a truck-based platform to being on a car-based or unibody platform it also shares a platform with the just redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee we really liked that jeep when we drove it they also share a platform with the Next Generation Mercedes venz ML most family SUVs they have a standard V6 and so does the Durango its standard engine is a 3.6 L V6 however the Durango has an optional V8 now this is the well-known 5.7 l Hemi V8 and it's the engine we got in our test vehicle the Hemi it puts out plenty of power the fuel economy not exactly its strong point one strong point though is that it will tow over 7,000 lb that's pretty good for a car-based SUV and having that V8 what makes the Durango a competitor for big SUVs like a Chevy Tahoe for now all Durangos have a 5-speed automatic transmission but they're going to move to an 8-speed in the future now that move it's probably going to improve performance and fuel economy all of these changes have pretty much transformed the way Durango drives the handling is much more capable much more confident much more enjoyable to drive inside the Durango you'll find a really nice interior it's a completely different world from the plasticky cheap looking Chrysler Interiors of before it's got a padded dashboard things fit together nicely Chrome accents there's also a lot of luxury content available in the Durango a power tilt telescope steering wheel iPod control Garmin Navigation it's one of the easiest interfaces in the business too bad that easy navigation system is within an overly complex touchscreen radio depending on the model the Durango has two or three rows of seats there's good room in the second row the third row it's got room for two adults so there's no question this Durango is a thoroughly reimagined SUV thing is it straddles two different mark market segments not only does it compete against family three row SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse but also against larger SUVs like the Chevy Taho and Toyota Sequoia how does it stack up we'll let you know when we thoroughly test it here at our trackthe Dodge Durango has always been sort of a Rough and Ready SUV sophistication hasn't really been part of the equation but a 2011 redesign really aims to change all that we recently bought this Durango so let's go take a first drive this redesign marks a big change for the Durango it makes Le from being on a truck-based platform to being on a car-based or unibody platform it also shares a platform with the just redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee we really liked that jeep when we drove it they also share a platform with the Next Generation Mercedes venz ML most family SUVs they have a standard V6 and so does the Durango its standard engine is a 3.6 L V6 however the Durango has an optional V8 now this is the well-known 5.7 l Hemi V8 and it's the engine we got in our test vehicle the Hemi it puts out plenty of power the fuel economy not exactly its strong point one strong point though is that it will tow over 7,000 lb that's pretty good for a car-based SUV and having that V8 what makes the Durango a competitor for big SUVs like a Chevy Tahoe for now all Durangos have a 5-speed automatic transmission but they're going to move to an 8-speed in the future now that move it's probably going to improve performance and fuel economy all of these changes have pretty much transformed the way Durango drives the handling is much more capable much more confident much more enjoyable to drive inside the Durango you'll find a really nice interior it's a completely different world from the plasticky cheap looking Chrysler Interiors of before it's got a padded dashboard things fit together nicely Chrome accents there's also a lot of luxury content available in the Durango a power tilt telescope steering wheel iPod control Garmin Navigation it's one of the easiest interfaces in the business too bad that easy navigation system is within an overly complex touchscreen radio depending on the model the Durango has two or three rows of seats there's good room in the second row the third row it's got room for two adults so there's no question this Durango is a thoroughly reimagined SUV thing is it straddles two different mark market segments not only does it compete against family three row SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Chevy Traverse but also against larger SUVs like the Chevy Taho and Toyota Sequoia how does it stack up we'll let you know when we thoroughly test it here at our track\n"