The brand has just one utility vehicle, so it has to be a good one. Good thing it is

With many trim levels, engines and seating capacities on offer, the 2021 Dodge Durango can be whatever buyers need, from frugal family hauler to lightningquick track star.

Dodge was once a thriving member of the original Chrysler Corporation, but with the recent departures of the Grand Caravan minivan and compact Journey tall wagon, the brand is down to three models. (The Dodge Dart compact sedan departed in 2016 following a four-year run.)

For an industry that’s increasingly global, Dodge is a North American player, which could eventually leave it on the outside looking in. The recent merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA of France poses more questions regarding the future of Dodge, which, for cars, has only the aging two-door Challenger and the Charger sedan to sell.

And in a market that covets utility vehicles, Dodge has just

one to sell: the Durango. Even more concerning, the Chrysler brand has none.

The current-generation Durango uses the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform and dates back to the 2011 model year, but since then has received regular updates both inside and out. The 2021 model has been given a more expressive nose and grille plus a rear spoiler and new 18- and optional 20-inch wheels. Despite the aging body panels, the Durango appears as current as the competition.

The well-appointed interior shows off a new instrument panel, upgraded (much more responsive) Uconnect infotainment (8.4- and optional 10.1-touch-screens) and revised floor console and door trim. As before, there’s an available third-row seat and the secondrow bench can be replaced with dual high-back bucket seats. With either choice, there’s plenty of stretch-out room for second-row passengers. Folks seated in the third row definitely aren’t as fortunate, but this is typical for the category.

The base engine continues to be a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 293 horsepower (295 horses with the dualexhaust option) and 260 pound-feet of torque. Also returning is a 5.7-liter V-8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet. A 6.4-liter variant, exclusive to the Durango SRT 392, puts out 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet.

For 2021, a limited number of Durango SRT Hellcat models are being produced as a oneyear-only extravagance. Under the hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that punches out 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. It’s the one to get if you require 8,700 pounds of towing capacity, or relish the thought of sprinting to 60 mph from rest in 3.5 seconds. That’s pretty good for 5,700-pound family hauler.

The V-6 models can tow a respectable 6,200 pounds and function without undue strain or coarseness. No wonder it’s the standard workhorse for many Stellantis models, including the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, Ram pickup and Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. It is an excellent engine.

The standard-across-theline eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly.

V-6 fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in combined city/ highway driving, which is four mpg better than the base V-8 and eight mpg better than the Hellcat. Keep in mind you’ll have to pony up $82,500 (including destination charges) for the Hellcat.

On the other hand, the base rear-wheel-drive SXT V-6 starts at a very reasonable $33,750. The all-wheel-drive model starts at $36,350. These are fairly basic models that do not come with any activesafety technologies such as emergency braking or lanedeparture warning.

The GT comes with unique trim, split-folding third-row seat, rear park assist, power driver’s seat and 20-inch wheels.

The R/T comes with the 5.7-liter V-8 along with rear load-leveling suspension, power liftgate, heated frontand second-row seats and a premium audio system with navigation.

The Durango Citadel is V-6 only, but adds active-safety technology, fancier trim and perforated-leather seats with second-row captain’s chairs.

Both the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat come with all-wheeldrive along with performancetuned suspensions. The Hellcat also gets Brembobrand brakes.

But unless you’re the power-hungry sort and want bragging rights, there’s really no need to take the V-8 route. The V-6 is plenty strong enough for most tasks and will save you money when signing on the dotted line and when stopping for fuel.

For many buyers, that’s performance — and value — at its best.

PHOTO: DODGE The motto at Dodge, Jeep and Ram seems to be to Hellcat everything; the 700-plus horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 is available for the Ram 1500 pickup, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Challenger. Add the Durango to that list.

PHOTO: DODGE The base Durango is reasonably priced and comes with rear-wheel-drive. The model shown, however, is the all-wheel-drive Durango SRT Hellcat that costs 2.4 times as much and also has 2.4 times the power.

PHOTO: DODGE Dodge says the Durango’s dash layout is drivercentric, like that of the Dodge Challenger, and that the Uconnect infotainment system is five times faster. Note the available 10.1-inch screen.

PHOTO: DODGE There’s a new instrument panel, a more responsive Uconnect infotainment system and revised floor console and door trim.