Pros

• The interface for touch-screen technology is easy to use.
• V8 engines are rapid and can pull a lot of weight.

Cons

• The V8s, in particular, waste a lot of gas.
• Many of the newest and best driver safety tools must still be standard.
• SUV crossovers that compete with it are more significant and heavy.

How do you drive the Durango? The Dodge Durango SRT we drove shows how much Dodge cares about performance. This monster weighs 5,500 pounds, yet thanks to its powerful engine, it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.9 seconds. But the Durango is a nice car to drive in everyday situations. There are strong and smooth stopping capabilities.

The gear shifts are smooth, so driving in stop-and-go traffic doesn’t feel rough. The driving and handling are fine for a car of this size and weight, but they have their limits. In practice, performance and usability are rarely balanced out to the same degree.

How lovely is the Durango to ride in? All of the seats in the Durango are roomy and comfortable. Larger children can sit easily in the third row, and the first and second rows have a lot of legroom. The climate control operates smoothly, and there is adequate ventilation across all three rows of seating.

On the other hand, the ride quality of the Durango SRT could be considered superior. It’s okay for long drives but won’t make you fall asleep. The noise from the car and the road is always there, which may be suitable. When you hear the exhaust note, it gives you a joyful feeling.

How does the inside look? Even though the car is extensive and you can see well, the front and back pillars may get in the way of your view in tight spaces. The controls are uncluttered and straightforward, and the interior design is plain yet accommodating. All the seats, even the third row, are easy to get to and exit.

Thanks to the many ways the seat and steering wheel can be adjusted, drivers of almost any size should be able to find a comfortable position.

How good is the tech? The 8.4-inch Uconnect 4C screen is easy to use and works well with systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that let you connect your phone to your car. The 10.1-inch screen is a more current choice. Each seat features a variety of USB ports and a 12-volt outlet so that passengers can charge their electronic gadgets. Even though they are essential, adaptive cruise control and help to stay in your lane are usually available as options on the Durango. The new Harman Kardon stereo system is worth getting because it sounds so good.

What about putting things away? Even though the Durango SRT puts speed first, it is also helpful and flexible like an SUV should be. When all the seats are folded down, there are 85.1 cubic feet of room, a little more than the average for this class. Small things are easy to store in a three-row SUV with enough cubbies and cupholders for each passenger. But when this Durango is fully loaded, its ability to pull 8,700 pounds may be the best trick.

How well does it use gasoline? I’ll show you what I mean: SRT gets terrible mpg. That’s the way things are. The EPA estimates that the fuel economy of the Dodge Durango SRT will be 15 miles per gallon, with 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The fact that we were able to achieve 15.5 mpg on our test route of 120 miles demonstrates that some of the EPA’s projections are accurate. On the interstate, the Durango achieves 21 miles per gallon when equipped with the V6 engine and rear-wheel drive. That’s a significant gain, but it’s still much less than SUVs with V6 engines that are the same size.

Is it a good idea to buy a Durango? What kinds of things do you want in an SUV? Ask yourself this question before determining what something is worth. If you wish for luxury and ease, you should look elsewhere because this SUV isn’t about that. The inside of the building looks and feels cheap. But in terms of how well it works, you get what you pay for. Dodge is better than its competitors in terms of warranty coverage and roadside help.

The Dodge Durango SRT is a rugged and potent sport utility vehicle that looks and sounds like it was made for its category. Because it is right in your face, it yells at you like a drill master. It doesn’t handle well when it’s full of people, but it doesn’t lose any ground. Driving it on a daily basis is more enjoyable than what one would expect from an SUV.

This SUV is for you if you like to make a show when you arrive and leave. People will take note of the sounds as well as the way things seem. We can see why it’s appealing, even if it’s based more on attitude than evidence.

The Durango has many different trims, but the R/T model is our top pick. It is in the middle of the lineup and comes with a V8 engine and some features only found on lower-end vehicles.

Dodge Durango models

There are six trim options for the 2024 Dodge Durango: SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat. The Durango comes with either a V6 engine or one of three V8 engines, all of which are paired with an automatic transmission with eight speeds. Most grades have rear-wheel drive as standard, but all-wheel drive is a choice and comes standard on the Durango SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat.