Dodge’s Durango might look like a traditional truck-based sport utility vehicle, but in reality it’s one of the segment’s most accomplished family haulers. Sharing its underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango offers class-leading towing abilities (7,200 lbs with V8, 6,200 lbs with V6), and standard seating for seven. Available captain’s chairs keep the peace, and there are some 50 different available seating configurations.
For 2016 the Durango gets a series of enhancements to increase efficiency and improve convenience. The standard Pentastar V6 now gains standard idle-stop to boost in-town fuel economy; as such, the Durango can now travel up to 950 km on a single tank of fuel. The 3.6-litre V6 develops 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque (295 hp with the Blacktop package), and comes paired to an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. This engine is standard on all models other than the R/T, which uses a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 that cranks out 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. This engine is optional on the Citadel, and includes a two-speed automatic transfer case.
All models also get a standard Sport mode which sharpens throttle response, changes the transmission shift points, and alters the steering’s calibration, plus new wheel designs and a choice of three new colours: Red Pearl, Luxury Brown, Light Brownstone, and Ivory Pearl.
Dodge has also given the range-topping Uconnect 8.4 with its 8.4-inch touschreen display a new drop-down menu with customizable features as well as Siri eyes-free compatibility and a new do-not-disturb mode. The system can be upgraded to include a rear-seat entertainment system with a 9.0-inch display and a combo Blu-ray DVD player. A 5.0-inch touchscreen is standard equipment on most models.
Although the Durango is offered in a wide range of trims including SXT, R/T, Limited, and Citadel, there are a number of available packages that offer customers additional visual flare. The new Platinum Appearance package adds platinum exterior accents and satin chrome wheels for the Citadel trim, while the Brass Monkey Appearance Package offers up bronze-effect wheels, and gloss black exterior trim to the Limited. Satin carbon finish wheels now come standard on the SXT, while the R/T gets new Granite Crystal 20-inch wheels. The Limited also gets a new 18-inch wheel design with Granite Crystal pockets.
The 2016 Dodge Durango range starts with the SXT at $43,395, and goes up to $56,395 for the Citadel.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
