The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
2016 Dodge Durango is a family ride with some muscle
Despite the common perception, SUVs don’t have to be boring grocery getters.
Don’t believe me? See Exhibit A: The Dodge Durango.
I recently spent some time in a 2016 Dodge Durango-Citadel, andthe experience was far from pedestrian. Yes you can and will haul the family around in it, but it also shows a likeable character you don’t see in much of SUV world.
Looks
Aimed at the buyer with a lot of people to carry and perhaps lots of cargo to carry and/or tow, the Durango is not a small vehicle. The size is pretty imposing, with an in-your-face grille to hint at the power under the hood.
While the exterior styling gets your attention, the interior is strong but not super luxurious.
Inside you get a roomy third row for the kids or small adults that is shockingly a little bit comfortable. Front two rows are very roomy and there is impressive headspace throughout. Up to 7 people can travel in the Durango.
How is the ride?
The Durango is a heavy vehicle, and you will feel it when driving. Getting up to speed isn’t an issue, but there is some effort involved in maneuvering the vehicle due to this weight.
The transmission is controlled by an easy-to-use circular knob in the center console, and paddle shift- ers are also included in case you want to take control.
Engine-wise, you can opt for the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with its 360 horsepower, or settle the 3.6-liter engine and its 290 horsepower. ( My test vehicle had the V6 and it was more than adequate compared to other SUVs on the market, and most people probably don’t need the V8, though they might still want it).
Sport mode is standard on all models and when used provides better throttle response. My test vehicle was all-wheel drive, but the base model comes with rear-wheel drive.
Towing capacity is also stronger than many of the Durango’s competitors, with up to 7,400 pounds of capability.
Tech heavy
As with all FCA family vehicles, the U-Connect systemis present and strong as usual. I don’t know of any other in- car tech system that is as intuitive and easy to use, and it’s a big selling point for all vehicles who have it.
Beyond that, you get a ton of helpful safety features offered at the various trim levels.
They include: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with mitigation, keyless entry,
Rain sensitive wipers, blind spot monitors, and rear park assist (with rear stop). For those with kids (which I suspect is most Durango buyers), there is a quality DVD/Blu-ray system
offered for the back seat.
MPG
The one area where FCA vehicles tend to suffer is miles per gallon. You’ll see that again here, as the Durango clocks in at 18 city/25 highway/21 combined miles. Eco mode can be employed to boost fuel economy. And an automatic stop-start system can also contribute to fuel mileage gains.
Price, bottom line
The base Durango starts at about $30K, but my test vehicle (a Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum AWD model) was just over $52,000. Plenty of options inbetween, depending on your budget.
While it’s not for everyone (i.e. those who don’t need a third row or towing power or such a large and heavy vehicle), with so many vanilla SUVS in the mix, the Durango is still a refreshing and powerful option that should draw the attention of families seeking a large SUV and don’t want to go the tame route.
Matt Myftiu can be reached at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com, or on Twitter @MattMyftiu. His past reviews can all be seen online at autotechreviews.com.