Getting under the hoods of two ‘sporty’ SUVs
The Dodge Durango SRT and the Chevy Tahoe RST are heavy crossovers inspired by performance.
It seems today anything can be considered “sporty,” even big SUVs. It’s led to the development of the two vehicles we have here, the Dodge Durango SRT and the Chevy Tahoe RST. Two giant, heavy, three-row crossovers that are somehow inspired by performance.
In reality, it’s hard to imagine either of these cars behaving anywhere near the benchmark of a true sports car, but it’s better to play along, because it gives us access to some loud and enjoyable engines, not to mention a feeling of “boss-ness” on the road. The Tahoe when equipped with the RST package, certainly doesn’t look all that sporty or aggressive. The only hint that this is different from the average SUV is the use of black badges, body coloured grille surrounds and handles as well as unique 22-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone rubber. It’s a handsome looking truck, but nothing that looks radically cooler or more interesting than the normal models.
The Durango SRT, on the other hand, looks hellish and angry. It’s a tough looking vehicle with abig hood scoop, two functional heat extractors, and large exhaust exits. You can tell almost right away that this isn’t a normal Durango, but other cues help, like the giant Brembo brakes and Pirelli Tires. Interiors Inside, it’s a similar story. While the Tahoe is much bigger and more accommodating, it has a boring cabin. There are no sporty accents, no indication that you’re in something other than a normal SUV from the bowtie badge. Although the materials look dated, there are a few modern touches, like a digital dash, a head-up display and Android Auto and Apple Car Play support. The Durango has showmanship. Bright red colours and aggressive text litter the cabin. Everywhere you look, there’s a reminder that you’re in a car catering to adults with fully active inner-children. While it doesn’t have as much space as the Tahoe, it has many of the same features. A fairly large digital screen is found in front of the driver, and Dodge has one of the better infotainment systems in the industry. Under the hood The true joy of these trucks is what’s under the hood. The Tahoe’s RST package is the only way to get a Corvette-related 6.2-litre V8 engine in this vehicle, even if it’s an optional addon to the package. The Durango SRT gets a wild 6.4-litre V8 that’s seen duty in all other SRT vehicles from Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep.
The Tahoe’s engine is smooth and impressive, with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Considering the normal engine for the RST is the 5.3-litre that makes 75 fewer ponies, it’s a no-brainer to upgrade to the 6.2. Highway speeds pop up in under 6 seconds, which is pretty impressive considering the size of this SUV. A major part of the vehicle’s success though is the 10 speed automatic, a gearbox that was co-developed with that other American automaker not taking part in this comparison: Ford. Gear changes are plentiful, as the transmission seeks to make life easier on the engine by constantly finding the best gear for acceleration, and then changing up to save fuel.
The Durango has more spirit, with its 6.4-litre V8 making 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. As mentioned before, it’s a loudmouth announcing that it’s on the move every time you move the gas pedal even an inch. It goes without saying that the Durango SRT is fast, and it feels faster than the Tahoe. Dodge boasts that “this is the fastest and most capable three-row SUV with a National Hot Rod Association–certified quartermile time of 12.9 seconds and capable of 0-60 MPH acceleration in 4.4 seconds”, which is crazy in that “we got a Guinness World Record that didn’t exist before today” kind of feat. It can also tow, slightly more than the Tahoe too, with an 8,700 lbs. limit. The verdict The Durango is the better choice and is pretty much the only choice if you’re looking for a sporty truck. The Tahoe RST, while a fine ride, feels like a smoothed over version of the popular Chevy SUV. The Durango is wacky, fun and feels like a family-oriented version of any other Dodge SRT product.