The Dodge Durango is the segment’s performance SUV if there is one. The SRT version has a 475 hp V8 for an SUV about the same size as a Ford Explorer. And the 2021 Durango Hellcat is way over the top with its 710 horsepower. But most want an SUV for transporting children and toys. So is the Durango a good SUV?
We’ve collected comments, conclusions and comments from owners about the Durango 2020. Why the 2020 model? Many come from two- and three-year leases, so there are many choices available. See what Consumer Reports, JD Power and Edmunds concluded about the Durango 2020.
What JD Power says about the Durango 2020
Owner’s satisfaction with the 2020 Dodge Durango after 90 days of ownership.
- Sound from your vehicle’s engine/engine
- The silence of your vehicle’s cab while driving
- How your vehicle makes you feel when you start it
Issues experienced by owners of the 2020 Dodge Durango during the first 90 days of ownership.
- Total fuel consumption and driving range of your vehicle/driving range and charging speed of your vehicle
- Effectiveness of your vehicle’s headlights
- Sound the doors make when you close them
“The Dodge Durango is capable enough, but also a lot of fun. Powerful engines, up-to-date technology and eye-opening style inside and out – it’s exactly the SUV you’d expect from such a legendary source of Detroit muscle. Choose from eight models, from the SXT to America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV, the Durango SRT. Dodge is all about performance, so the Durango comes with a choice of three engines. They all have the best pulling power in their class and one will take your Durango from zero to sixty in 4.4 seconds.
Fold down the second and third row seats and there’s nearly 85 cubic feet of cargo space. With up to 50 different seating configurations, the Durango is versatile enough to carry just about anything or anyone. And from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to available Blind- Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection, the Durango is completely modern.”
Consumer Reports reviews the Durango 2020
“Despite being a little long in the tooth, the three-row Durango SUV is still a capable and enjoyable car. The Durango is a luxury, refined and functional SUV that ranks near the top of its category.
“Shares the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango does an impressive job of combining workhorse use with great comfort. The interior is spacious, quiet and well finished, with room for seven people. The ride is smooth and composed, and the handling is responsive for a vehicle of this size. Still, the Durango is ready to carry the load, with ample cargo space and towing capabilities. It’s bigger than most mid-sized SUVs, though, so it can be a little tricky to maneuver and park.”
Highlights
Comfortable driving
quiet cabin
Relatively agile operation
Support seats
Towing capacity is higher than most competitors
Uconnect touchscreen control system is one of the best
lows
Fuel economy with V6 or V8 engines
Rear view is so-so
Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking System only available on top trim levels
Edmunds has a lot to say
Pros
- The large technical interface with touchscreen is one of the best in its class
- Strong V8 power provides exceptional pulling power
- Has true off-road capability with 4WD and low range
cons
- Fuel economy is below average, especially with the V8
- Bigger and bulkier to drive than rival crossover SUVs
“Dodge mostly makes headlines these days for its dragstrip-destroying Challenger and Charger muscle cars. So perhaps it will come as no surprise that the Durango is essentially the muscle car of the three-row crossover SUV class. Dodge makes a V6 as standard and then offers one of two powerful V8s as optional upgrades.
“The Durango doesn’t skimp on SUV use in favor of linear performance. The V8s offer class-leading pulling power and, if you choose four-wheel drive, a low-range gearbox for more capacity for off-road work or extra traction on boat ramps. You also get a good amount of space for up to seven passengers thanks to the Durango’s large overall dimensions.
“Updates over the years have kept the Durango largely fresh, with current infotainment and other upgrades coming regularly. But those changes can’t completely mask the fact that Durango’s platform is both old and heavy. That means real-world agility and fuel economy both take a hit, and the weight hurts acceleration with the V6 engine. The inner packaging is also not as smart or efficient as other three-row competitors.
“We would go for the R/T trim to unlock both the extra looks and the extra pulling power. You do give up fuel economy, but if that’s your main concern, you probably shouldn’t buy a Durango after all.”
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