2024 Dodge Durango: The muscle SUV features a range of engines and a masculine look

While most midsize SUV competitors — and there are a lot of midsize SUVs — seem content to be minivans shaped like SUVs, the Durango makes no apologies for sticking to its original SUV roots. Dodge's entry level is all about engine performance, towing capacity and rugged adventure. It's difficult, almost to the point of brutality. However, it can still transport the family comfortably. It may not have the Kia 000270 Family Transport badge on it.
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Telluride, Honda HMC,
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Pilot, or Toyota TM,
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Grand Highlander, but the Dodge Durango is a family-friendly vehicle, perfect for towing a boat or trailer or even spending an afternoon at the race track.

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what's new For the year 2024

For 2024, Dodge has made blind spot monitoring standard across the Durango lineup. Because of the Durango's role as a tow vehicle, Blind Spot Monitoring recognizes when a trailer is hitched. Perhaps one reason for the slight change is that 2024 is the last year for the Durango. Rumor has it that her replacement will wear a revived Stealth nameplate.

Dodge Durango 2024 prices

Pricing for the 2024 Dodge Durango starts at $40,420. This price is for the entry-level SXT model. There are a total of six base levels of the Durango, with the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat priced at $94,095. All-wheel drive is standard on the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat, but a $2,000 option for all lesser models. If we were shopping for a Durango, we'd choose the GT and stick with the V6 because it's well equipped and the V6 has enough juice to satisfy most midsize SUV drivers.

The Durango's listed base price is about average for three-row segment entries. For example, a Toyota Grand Highlander is priced at $43,070, while a Honda Pilot is priced at $37,090.

These are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices and do not include the $1,595 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination fee).

Before you buy a Dodge Durango, check the purchase price at Kelley Blue Book Fair to know what you should really pay. The Dodge Durango has a slightly below-average record of maintaining its value among three-row midsize SUVs. Leaders in this regard include the Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent, and Honda Pilot, all of which are above average in holding value.

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Power, ride and handling

The Durango's standard 293-hp V6 provides plenty of power for everyday driving. Among 3-row midsize SUVs, only the Buick Enclave (310 hp) and Ford F,
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Explorer (300 hp) boasts more ponies under the hood. Even with the base V6 engine, the Durango falls into the upper echelon of midsize SUV performance. Many competitors have 4-cylinder turbo engines as standard powertrain. Some base engines in this segment have poor highway passing ability with a full load of passengers, but we didn't have that problem in our testing with the Durango V6.

In SXT form with the base V6, the Durango's ride is a bit stiff but comfortable. A muscle car at its core, even at its lowest performance levels, the V6-powered Durango delivers better-than-average driving dynamics. However, if you're shopping for a Durango, there's a good chance you're interested in the V8 engine offerings. The less expensive 5.7-liter V8 in R/T models adds satisfying power (360 horsepower) to the Durango with a thrilling exhaust note to match.

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Upgrading to the SRT 392 model with the 475-hp 6.4-liter V8 is where you start to get performance that's hard to match in a 3-row SUV at this price point. More than just an engine upgrade, it also adds Brembo brakes and Bilstein active damping suspension, which greatly improves stopping power and handling. We find the SRT 392 to be great to drive, but perhaps more exciting than most drivers think is necessary or worth the massive price hike. That goes double for the exciting SRT Hellcat, one of the most powerful SUVs on the market. It borrows the 710-hp supercharged V8 engine from the SRT Hellcat models of the Dodge Charger and Challenger, turning this SUV into a six-seat rocket (second-row captain's chairs are standard on the Hellcat).

We've spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize SUVs, including the Dodge Durango.

Fuel economy

The Durango's mileage falls on the lower end of the mileage spectrum for midsize SUVs. Most competitors that post similar fuel economy numbers offer all-wheel drive as standard. However, even a three-row Nissan Pathfinder with a V6 engine can get 23 mpg. As you might expect, the Durango's fuel economy leader is the V6 with rear-wheel drive (RWD) that delivers 21 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Fuel economy only comes down to the V6 engine. The No. 5.7 V8 is 17 mpg. Mileage is no different for the V6 nor the smaller V8 with the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD). Only the two larger V8s are paired with all-wheel drive. The 6.4-liter V8 gets 15 mpg, while the SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 gets 13 mpg. You can find more information about the Durango's fuel economy on the EPA's website.

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3-row compartment

The interior of the 2024 Dodge Durango is spacious and practical. We found the third row (33.5 inches of legroom) a bit cramped for adults, but it's the same as the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse. However, the first two rows are wide. The Durango has above-average cargo space for a midsize SUV, adding to its practicality. It has about the same cargo space behind the third-row seat as the Subaru Ascent but less than the Kia Telluride. Available second-row captain's chairs make the second row more comfortable and make access to the third row easier. Captain's chairs are standard on the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat and optional on lower models. The Durango's interior is starting to look a little dated in 2024 compared to more modern competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot. However, you can make it feel more refined with options like Nappa leather seats and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

External male

The Dodge Durango features a muscular design reminiscent of the Dodge Charger sedan. Many family SUVs tend to blend into the traffic around them, but the eye-catching Durango isn't one of them. Like Dodge's muscle cars, the Durango model range has some nice visual diversity. V8-powered models feature a more aggressive hood, while the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models feature unique wheel designs, red brake calipers, and SRT badging. The Durango is right in line with the 3-row midsize SUV segment with dimensions similar to the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

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Our favorite features and technologies

Powerful engines
The Dodge Durango has an impressive lineup of engines similar to those available in the Dodge Charger and Challenger. These engines give the Durango impressive performance, especially for a three-row family SUV.

Muscular design
The Dodge Durango is no sleeper, with masculine styling to match its performance. It gets a more aggressive look when you upgrade to the more powerful V8 engines and has exterior styling options like upper stripes, eye-catching paint options, and a black SRT package.

Uconnect
The Dodge Durango's Uconnect infotainment system is feature-rich and easy to use. The standard system comes with Android Auto and Apple AAPL.
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carplay. Moreover, you can upgrade it with Amazon AMZN navigation system,
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Alexa, wireless smartphone connectivity, and multiple premium sound system options.

Tow up to 8,700 pounds
When properly equipped, the Dodge Durango has an impressive towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. That's pulling muscle compared to more expensive full-size SUVs.

Sit for seven
You wouldn't be far off if you called the Dodge Durango a 7-seat muscle car. Three-row seating is standard. Captains chairs are standard on SRT models and optional on lower models.

Blacktop package
The Blacktop Package adds a more menacing look to the Durango with gloss black exterior trim, black 20-inch wheels, black badges, and a black headliner. It is available in SXT, GT and R/T models.

Engine and transmission

Depending on your wallet, you can choose from four engines: a V6 and three V8s. All are linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Durango shines in two areas: towing and acceleration. You can tow up to 6,200 pounds with the V6 and up to 8,700 pounds with the 5.7-liter V8. In contrast, the Ford Explorer can tow a maximum of 5,600 pounds. We're not sure exactly who will appeal to an SUV that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds, but the SRT Hellcat can do it. In fact, according to Dodge, an SRT Hellcat with a supercharged V8 can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. We don't need to check the statistics of direct competitors to argue; No one can beat that time. Admittedly, we're impressed with this acceleration performance, but $94,000 isn't that impressed.

3 year/36,000 mile warranty

Dodge covers the Durango with a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is typical coverage for major car brands, as is Durango's powertrain coverage for five years or 60,000 miles.

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Safety assessments

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Dodge Durango an overall score of 4 stars out of its best score of 5 stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not released full test results for the Durango, but it gave the Durango its highest score of Good in three of the four areas tested. The deficiency discovered in tests by both organizations was related to frontal crashes. Standard advanced safety technologies on every Durango are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Other technologies can be found in some option packages. Almost every competitor offers more advanced safety technology as standard.

KBB car review methodology.

This story was continued in the original KBB.com.