You're shopping for a new or used SUV. You want something that's right for you, your lifestyle, your family, your job, or your recreational travel habits. Maybe you've been looking at the 2022 Dodge Durango as a rugged SUV? Maybe you're looking for an SUV variant of the Ram? Maybe you just want a reliable crossover vehicle with enough room and style to fit what you want out of something for daily commutes? While you can very well settle on the idea of getting a Durango from Ryan CJDR, the Dodge dealer near you, it doesn't actually tell you what kind of Durango is best suited for you. With multiple engine and trim options, there are a lot of ways your Durango can be set up to best compliment your lifestyle.

Know Your Driving Audience

Before you attempt to buy a 2022 Dodge Durango, it might be best to hammer down what the vehicle is for. If you're buying a Durango for yourself, then you already know what sort of space you need, what you plan to use it for, and whether it'll be good for some light towing, cross-country trips, or maybe a bit of off-roading. Alternatively, maybe you're buying a vehicle for daily commutes. In that case, you'll need to think differently about fuel economy, which powertrain selection to go with, and feature sets that are best applicable for day-to-day errands. If you're opting for a Dodge Durango for the family, then size and safety are likely going to be a top priority from the start. This is also something to consider if you're buying a vehicle either for a starter family or as a replacement family vehicle. Infotainment is also a big factor when it comes to what works for families. It's easier to keep people entertained if the trim comes with enough standard infotainment equipment for everybody to stay occupied during travel. Another consideration is if you're buying the vehicle as a secondary vehicle. If it's simply for vacations, special occasions, or weekend excursions, then there are certain trims that accommodate that kind of lifestyle, and that's also something to consider. We'll outline which trims work best for what kind of driving personalities and lifestyles. From there, you'll have a better idea of what to look for when you're scouting for a Durango.

Is There a Durango for Sports Drivers?

If you're looking for an SUV that's actually very performance-heavy, Dodge has a good supply for you. The 2022 Dodge Durango SRT 392 is the ultimate solution. A 6.4-liter Hemi SRT V8 that delivers 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque gets you from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. Those are crazy impressive numbers for a large three-row SUV. If you needed a Dodge SUV with plenty of room and lots of space for multiple passengers but wanted that extra power, the Durango SRT 392 is the answer. Additionally, the Durango SRT 392 is an all-wheel drive performance SUV featuring high-end Brembo six-piston high-performance brakes and specialized SRT Drive Modes, as well as performance pages that can be accessed through the infotainment suite. With an electric T-shifter and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, you have a quick SUV with track-ready performance with a lot of style. Alternatively, the Durango RT and RT Plus offer a slightly more affordable alternative to the SRT 392, with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The 5.7-liter Hemi outputs 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque in rear-wheel drive. So the RT and RT Plus may require a little more skill to maneuver, but you still have access to a lot of Hemi-generated power.

Which Durango Is Good for Families?

The perfect Durango for families would be the Durango GT or GT Plus. While most of the trims offer up to three-row passenger seating, the GT and GT Plus offer a few additional features that make them more attractive for those who not only need the space but want a few extra features that make the SUV great for families. With seating for up to seven people total, including five passengers behind the two front row seats, including two available seats in the middle row and three seats in the rear, the GT and GT Plus offer a great sense of space and comfort. In addition to seating seven people, the GT and GT Plus feature a Uconnect 4 system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and integrated support for SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. So there is a complement of great infotainment technology to go along with the size. With up to 141 cubic feet of passenger volume, blind-spot warnings, electronic stability, forward collision warning, LaneSense, and rear-cross-path detection in the GT Plus, it makes for the perfect fully-featured crossover SUV for any sort of family.

Which Durango Is Good for Daily Driving?

If you're thinking about “which Durango works best for daily commutes," the Durango SXT is the answer. While the SXT trim isn't the most powerful or luxurious trim, it is the most practical. It comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, gets good enough performance, and features basic towing capabilities. You can get the SXT in rear or all-wheel drive, and it's also available with third-row seating. The highlight here is that the SXT is cost-effective and practical. It comes with roof rails so you can pack things up on top, as well as some basic driving and safety assists like the rear park assist for daily commutes into the city. There are also plenty of comfort amenities, such as a 12-way power driver seat, dual-zone climate control, and wireless phone connectivity. The added bonus of a 19 miles per gallon fuel economy in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway makes this trim a practical one for daily driving.

Which Durango Is Good for Towing/Off-Road?

The good part about the Durango is just about every trim lets you choose to opt for rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. So each of the vehicles can handle some light off-road traversal. But if you wanted a trim specific for towing, the RT and RT Plus are the way to go. Additionally, you can also achieve the max tow rating with the performance-heavy SRT 392. The RT, RT Plus, and SRT 392 enable you to tow up to 8,700 pounds worth of cargo. That means you can trailer a camper, a sizable boat, or any number of other items. In fact, 8,700 pounds worth of towing will net you better figures than most midsize pickup trucks. The highlight here is that you get this tow rating in a midsize-crossover SUV. This is thanks in large part to the Hemi V8 engine powering the Durango.

Is There a Durango for Luxury Driving?

Some people like having a vehicle that they can use for luxury outings, special occasions, or for cruising around town in style. The good part is that every Durango, from the SXT up to the SRT 392, offers a sense of refinement. But if you really want the best from a Dodge, then the 2022 Dodge Durango Citadel is the way to go. What is the Dodge Durango Citadel, and why is it the perfect luxury solution for SUV shoppers? Well, the entire look exudes grandeur from the sleek exterior curves to the interior Nappa leather-trimmed bucket seats with available black and ebony red upholstery with perforated inserts. The front driver and passenger seats are heated and ventilated. The Citadel also sacrifices the split-bench seating for captain chairs in each row, so while it only seats six, it increases the overall ride comfort and quality. This includes cup holders and armrest storage for the first two rows. Additionally, the Citadel comes with a UConnect 5 infotainment suite with a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen and wireless connectivity for smartphones, and a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad. Power tilting and telescoping steering, along with a full assortment of active and passive safety assists, and you have the ultimate luxury SUV. If you want high-quality, high-performance, great style, and an enriched cabin experience, then the Dodge Durango Citadel is the way to go.

Which Durango Is Right for Me?

While we can't necessarily tell you the answer to that question right away, we can help you find it. Just tell us what you need your vehicle to do for you, and we are sure you'll be able to find a Dodge Durango that fits the bill. Whether you need something commuter friendly, good for the family vacation, or that offers a bit more luxury features, the Durango has you covered. And when you are ready to take one for a test drive, contact us and we will get you behind the wheel of one.