When you think about vehicle brands and their models, it can often lead to questions of uncertainty. Does this manufacturer have vehicles that meet my driving needs? When I choose one, how will I know which model to purchase? Today, we want to make it easier for you by not only guiding you to one of the best manufacturers in the automotive industry but take a closer look at its sole SUV offering, the Dodge Durango. If you are in the market for a three-row SUV, we present to you a Dodge Durango Buyer’s Guide to explain exactly why you should consider this impressive mid-size SUV as your next travel companion. We hope this model excites you as much as it excites us, and if the information we provide piques your interest, we welcome you to come down to Ryan Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and experience the Durango up close and personal. We are your premier Dodge dealer in Williston and offer an extensive selection of Dodge vehicles, both new and used, including the amazing Durango. Before we take a deeper look, let’s discuss the Dodge Durango's placement in the SUV market. It is a mid-size SUV providing phenomenal power, safety, space, and innovative tech. While many drivers know you go with a Ram truck if you need enthusiast or professional-grade towing, the Durango has the highest towing capacity out of every Dodge vehicle outside the pickup truck category. The Durango has always had a distinctive look dating back to the first generation in 1998, where the SUV had a hood style reminiscent of older muscle cars like the Charger, albeit with a protruding lip and grille. Over time, the grille would become less pronounced with a more rounded-off hood, but the Durango has always retained the same charm. With that out of the way, let’s see why the Durango makes a superb SUV option.

An Array of Powerful Engine Options Offer a Broad Range of Capabilities

The Durango has had a fair share of powertrains over the years, with many similarities in the past decade. For example, the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine seen in the latest 2023 Durango is available in models dating back as far as 2011. That’s right, there have been at least twelve years of the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine for the Durango, with an output of 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Similarly, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine coming standard with the Durango also dates back to 2011; however, performance varies depending on the model year. For example, the 2011 Durango’s base V6 engine outputs 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, similar to the 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque for models released from 2015 to the present day. For years, the 5.7L V8 engine was the extent of the Durango’s performance. With the launch of the 2018 Durango, a monstrous 6.4L V8 engine joined the lineup, which boosted both raw performance and towing capacity. The 6.4L V8 engine, later dubbed the “Apache,” has had similar performance since its introduction, meaning models with this engine will output 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque and a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 lbs. Compared to the 5.7L V8 engine, the 6.4L V8 engine provides 32% more horsepower and 20.5% greater torque output. Suffice to say, you will see many familiar powertrains for the Durango.

Luxurious Comfort Features to Give You a Driving Experience That Is Unparalleled

The Durango stands tall with the best SUVs on the market, especially when it comes to its interior and the amenities inside. Dodge prides itself on the impressive versatility the Durango provides drivers, and the interior is one of the best examples. For example, the 2022 Durango has seats that shift into over fifty configurations, meaning your Durango can adapt to your needs in an abundance of different ways. Whether you need extra passenger room or cargo space, the Durango creates an astonishing amount of customization unseen in the SUV market. The Durango seats the most passengers than any Dodge vehicle; with a maximum capacity of seven passengers, it eclipses the maximum five-passenger capacity of its sports cars, muscle cars, and Ram pickup trucks. What about the chairs, though? Later Durango models, such as the 2022 Durango, come with available eight-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way power lumbar support. Drivers ride with maximum comfort in a chair like this. While the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seats have been part of the lineup for some time, only later models include them as standard with the base trim. The backseat passengers can receive amenities such as heated seats, but most notably is the available head and legroom, even for third-row passengers. There are even a few materials to select for the Durango’s seats depending on trim, including cloth, synthetic leather, and genuine Nappa leather, commonly considered the more luxurious material.

Infotainment and Connectivity Features to Look For

Purchasing a Durango model from a decade ago won’t include the same tech as one from five years ago, which is typical in the automotive world and demonstrates Dodge's commitment to innovation. Technology isn’t like the powertrains we discussed earlier; change comes far more rapidly. For example, vehicles from a decade ago included what we now consider the precursor to the modern-day infotainment center, and if you were lucky, you’d get a touchscreen too. The Durango isn’t the only vehicle limited to this either. You’ll be listening to music on any Durango model you purchase, but only from a specific model year up until today will you be able to enjoy amenities such as phone connectivity, onboard navigation, and more. The new Dodge Durango comes packed with a variety of innovative comfort and entertainment technology, sure to please everyone on board. The center console offers the option of a massive 10.1 HD touchscreen equipped with the Uconnect. Uconnect is a system built into Dodge vehicles that provide a variety of entertainment, navigation, and smartphone connectivity features to enhance the driving experience. Everything from SiriusXM Guardian, Bluetooth-enabled pairing, and the latest software updates are available at your fingertips. Take connectivity to the next level by taking advantage of the Uconnect smartphone app, which will link you directly to your car, enabling you to start your engine, lock or unlock your doors, and find your vehicle in a crowded parking lot using the Send & Go navigation feature. The Durango gives you a connection to your vehicle that is unlike any other.

Other Things to Consider Before Searching for That Perfect Durango

When purchasing a Durango, finding a model with the features you want is crucial. Whether it’s performance, comfort, or entertainment, some are exclusive to certain trims, while others are standard, so you want to do your shopping carefully. The same goes for safety features. There are a selection of standard safety features on the Durango, meaning if you want more advanced safety features like forward collision mitigation, you’ll need to find the trim level that supports it, like the GT Plus. The chances are this will raise the cost of your Durango, but the used market is a great place to look if you need these features at a discounted price. The Durango is a complex vehicle to shop for, and that’s by design. The Durango can please numerous drivers because it can do many things, and the only way to truly learn its capabilities is to look further down the list of features. Shoppers are somewhat limiting themselves by keeping with a base Durango considering how much more impactful of an experience it can be if you move up the list of trims. Regardless, the Durango is a legendary vehicle that means equally as much to Dodge fans as to the manufacturer that created it. To get a better understanding of the trims and features available, we welcome you to stop by our dealership, and our knowledgeable team will be happy to show you everything this unique three-row SUV has to offer.