2016 Dodge Durango – Test Drive, Ratings, Reviews, Specs

A Tank on Street Roads

Despite all the attempts to over-rule the 7-seater market segment with lighter and flashier cross-overs, the classical ultra-solid domestic SUV continues prevails. Perhaps it’s the sense of safety from cruising in a tank-like vehicle, the abundance of cargo space from a box-like structure, or simply a reluctance to change that continues to capture consumer’s money.  But regardless of reason, the beating heart of the 2016 Dodge Durango remains strong.

It’s outer shell may be a bit stale in today’s aesthetics standards, but its inner mechanicals are kept up to date with an award-winning Pentastar V6 engine with stop-start technology, improved fuel economy, best-in-class towing capacity and fuel range and a plethora of seating configuration arrangements to optimize its interior cargo space.

But that doesn’t mean there’s lost hope for any form of eye candy though. Browsing through its catalog reveals the Citadel model with enhanced exterior detailing including beefier 20″ wheels, platinum exterior mirror caps, grille surround and various exterior badging. If that’s not enough, opt in with the Brass Monkey Package to let your presence known with bronze-colored 20″ wheels, body-color door handles, and a gloss black-grille.

Flexible Features

The Dodge Durango was meant to be driven for long distances, and its interior features is just one proving point. Fitted on the center stack is a massive 8.4″ infotainment screen with a drag-and-drop customizable menus and easy to access climate controls with redundant temperature knobs for added ease-of-use. The instrument panel is constructed entirely of a simple 7″ LCD display with large fonts and further customizable menus to display vehicle information.

Taking a seat in the Durango reminds you of how big the car really is with its heightened seating position and the shear freedom of space.  With that said, seating is plush and well cushioned for long drives. The same is said for its dual 2nd row captain’s seats and triple-passenger third row seats.

Space is a hot commodity in a SUV and the Durango makes the best use to optimize it. Its 2nd row seats have a 60/40 folding split ratio and its 3rd row with a 50/50 split. With all seats folded down, its impressive cargo space is increased to load items as large as a 6-ft couch and a coffee table. For further added convenience, the 3rd row seats can be electronically folded down via a push button control from the driver’s seat.

Natural Driving Habit

Standard on the Durango is a rear-wheel-drive powertrain configuration fitted with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine producing a respectable 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. For added driving confidence and climate immunity, the Durango is also offered with an AWD system with the ability to equally split torque delivery between its front and rear wheels at a 50/50 ratio.

Driving the Durango actually feels nice. The combination of its award-winning Pentastar engine and rear-wheel drive configuration helps make the Durango feel smooth and responsive to the gas pedal. And despite its ultra heavy curb weight and height offset, steering and cornering feels capable and predictable, and this is mostly thanked by its rear-wheel powertrain, four-wheel independent suspension structure and a 50/50 wight distribution.

All in all…

I actually think the Durango is a great car. It’s easy to drive, feels nice, comfortable and offers an insane amount of cargo space. Acceleration is smooth and very capable.  Fuel economy isn’t too bad either at 18/25 MPG city/highway. Oh yea, the Durango also scores best-in class towing capacity of 6,200 lbs. If that’s not enough, a V8 HEMI engine can be fitted as an upgraded purchase option to boost towing capacity up to 7,200 lbs.

Sure, the Durango may not have the sharpened looks of the more modernized cross-over SUV’s, but in the case of the Durango, it’s simply function over form and it compromise more than makes up for its cosmetic shortcoming. Our tested Durango SXT model came priced in at $47,280.

Specifications

• Vehicle : 2016 Dodge Durango
• Model : Durango SXT AWD
• Vehicle Type : SUV
• Seating Capacity : 2+2 + 3
• Engine : Pentastra V6
• Transmission :  8 Speed Automatic
• Fuel Economy: 18 / 25 / 20 city/highway/combined
• Price: $47,280

Pros

• Excellent use of optimized interior cabin space
• Plush and comfortable interior
• Easy to drive
• No shortage of power
• Decent fuel economy for its size.

Cons

• Outdated Looks
• A bit pricey at sub 40k price range.