DODGE MAKES DURANGO SRT LATEST COMPETITOR IN HORSEPOWER WARS

At a time when every manufacturer seems to be adding hybrid drivetrains to about every model they put out, electric cars are seen as the future, and self-driving vehicles (ugh) are getting closer and closer to practicality, it’s refreshing, even encouraging, to see that some automakers have yet to drop out of the horsepower wars.

They continue to up the ante when it comes to performance, and I’m not speaking here of strictly sports cars or so-called “sports” sedans and coupes.

Dodge, which gave us the 707-horsepower, Hellcat versions of its Charger and Challenger sedan and coupe, has given the SRT treatment to its Durango SUV for 2018, a 475-horsepower behemoth that the company bills as the most power three-row SUV on the market today.

Equipped with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, the Durango SRT 392 is rated at 470 pound-feet of torque at 4300 rpm that moves its 5,550 pounds from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, according to company clockers. It is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a sport mode that increases shift times and delivers up to 65 percent of the power in the all-wheel-drive configuration to the rear wheels.

It has up to seven driving modes, including a Track Mode that favors the rear wheels with 70 percent of the available torque.

Yet it still retains the things you buy an SUV for, which is seating capacity (6), towing power (a best-in-class 8,700 pounds with a special package), and 17.2 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row, 47.7 behind the second.

In a news release, Tim Kuniskis, head of Passenger Cars Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America, says “This is what you get when you take everything great about the Durango and combine it with the performance of the Charger SRT: a 12-second quarter mile, 8,700-pound-toy hauling, three-row muscle car.”

He might have meant “tow,” not “toy,” but either works I guess.

What Dodge has done with the Durango SRT 392 (392 refers to the engine displacement of 392 cubic inches, SRT for Fiat Chrysler’s Street & Racing Technology division) allows you to have your automotive cake and eat it, too. It’s a fully functional family vehicle that also gives you a thrilling driving performance.

It gave me the feeling behind the wheel that not only could I crush anything in front of me, I could outrun it as well.

About the only thing it lacks is the fuel economy you might like for your family vacation. It is rated at 13 miles-per-gallon city, 19 highway, and 15 combined with premium 91 octane fuel recommended.

Dodge hasn’t forgotten the amenities. Leather front seats are power-adjustable eight ways and are ventilated as well as heated. A Beats premium sound system is standard as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The UConnect 4C Nav system features an 8.4-inch display screen, always a welcome feature for those who like to see everything at a glance. Second-row captain’s chairs are heated. The standard 20-inch wheels are shod with run-flat Pirelli tires.

That and more is included in the past MSRP of $62.995. Adding in options like special Laguna leather seats, an optional package that includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and cross-traffic detection, and full-speed forward collision warning, special SRT interior appearance touches, a second-row console, a power sunroof and the $1,095 delivery charge ran my test Durango SRT up to $75,550, which is a lot more than I ever thought I would see on a Durango widow sticker in my lifetime.

But the availability of three-row SUVs with anything approaching the performance the Durango SRT 392 delivers could run you into the six figures so in that the Durango SRT could be considered a bargain.

What I liked about the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392: Obviously, the power is a big draw, and the interior is classy as well with lots of soft-touch and nicely textured materials. Spartan was the adjective that used to come to mind to the interiors of many previous Dodge models, but not so much any more. It’s not perfect, but it’s getting there. The UConnect infotainment systems remains one of the most pleasant to use.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392: Fuel economy leaves a lot to be desired, but then you’ve got to sacrifice something to get all that power.

Would I buy the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392? Let’s face it. It’s out of range for my personal budget and I don’t need a three-row SUV. But if that’s not the case with you, I’d say go for it.