2017 Dodge Durango Review

The base SXT comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, a load-leveling rear suspension, automatic headlamps, foglamps, heated mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, three-zone climate control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding and reclining second-row seat, a 50/50-split folding third-row seat (with power-folding headrests) or alternatively no third-row seat at all, cloth upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a 5-inch touchscreen interface, and a six-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio jack, a USB port and an SD card reader.

The GT adds 20-inch wheels, LED running lights, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, additional body-color exterior trim, dual exhaust tips, remote ignition, an auto-dimming driver-side exterior mirror, a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel, power front seats (eight-way driver, six-way passenger) with four-way power lumbar, heated front and second-row seats, leather upholstery, a 115-volt power outlet, driver memory settings, satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, dual USB charge ports and an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface with voice controls.

Going with the Citadel will get you xenon headlights, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, upgraded brakes, chrome exterior trim, roof-rail crossbars, a sunroof, a power liftgate, a cargo cover, upgraded leather upholstery, additional leather trim, a power-adjustable steering wheel, a navigation system, an eight-way power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and a nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and HD radio. An optional Anodized Platinum appearance package adds upgraded leather upholstery with silver accent stitching and special interior trim.

Finally, the R/T tops things off with the V8 engine as standard, an upgraded steering system, a sport-tuned suspension, red accent stitching and a Beats audio system. The Citadel's standard roof rails and sunroof are optional.

Some of the higher trims' standard features are also offered on lower trims as options. A Technology Group package for the Citadel and R/T adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring is also offered on the GT via a separate options package (Safety/Security and Convenience Group) that additionally includes a handful of the Citadel's standard luxuries.

Optional on the GT and R/T is a Brass Monkey appearance package that adds a gloss-black grille, black headlamp bezels, 20-inch bronze-painted wheels and extra body-color trim. An optional Blacktop appearance package (also for the GT and R/T) is similar and fits the Durango with 20-inch, black-painted wheels and a variety of black-out exterior trim items. Other options include black running boards and bright pedals (Mopar Running Board package), a second-row console with armrest and storage (includes an in-console, 12-volt power outlet and a USB charge port), a dual-screen rear entertainment system (with Blu-ray compatibility) and a trailer-tow package.

With the exception of the R/T, every 2017 Dodge Durango comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 good for 290 horsepower (295 hp on the Citadel or with the Blacktop package) and 260 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive are standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Also standard is an automatic stop-start system that shuts down the engine when the car stops in order to save fuel.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the V6 stand at 21 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway) with rear-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway) with all-wheel drive. Properly equipped, the Durango V6 can tow 6,200 pounds, which is more than most competitors are rated for.

In Edmunds testing, a Durango V6 with RWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, while one with the V6 and all-wheel drive did it in 8.1 seconds. These results are acceptable but well off the pace of the segment's best.

A 5.7-liter V8 good for 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque is standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel. It, too, has an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive as standard, while its optional all-wheel-drive system includes a low-range transfer case for improved off-road performance.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the V8 is 17 mpg combined (14 city/22 highway) with either rear- or all-wheel drive. The Durango V8 can tow a maximum of 7,400 pounds, a muscular figure that's bettered only by truck-based SUVs.