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. 

2017 DODGE DURANGO A FAMILY FRIENDLY SUV WHEN IT COMES TO HAULING CAPABILITY

One of the most appealing things about an SUV is its cargo hauling capability.

You’ll find it listed among the top 10 attributes potential buyers give as their reason for shopping in the segment. (The website thoughtco.com lists cargo capacity as the No. 8 reason to buy an SUV right behind “dogs love SUVs” and “SUVs are better in a flood” and ahead of “SUVs have a commanding seating position.”

Which is why if you are considering an SUV or one of its crossover cousins you might want to include the Dodge Durango on your list. When it comes to providing passengers with nice room for themselves and their stuff, the Durango is among the best in its class. Even those riders relegated to third-row seats get decent space.

Launched 20 years ago as a midsize SUV built on the Dodge Dakota platform, the Durango grew a bit as it moved into its second generation as a 2003 model and after taking a year off from production, the 2011 model added a third row of seats in moving the Durango into its third generation.

The Durango was updated for 2014 and for 2017 a new trim level dubbed the GT is being introduced to replace the Limited model in the Durango lineup to go with the base SXT, SXT-Plus, Citadel, and R/T trims.

Late this year, the company also will have in showrooms an SRT version as a 2018 model packing a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that pumps up performance to 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The company says it will have a towing capacity of 8,600 pounds and a zero-to-60 time of under 4.5 seconds, which is borders on the unbelievable in a vehicle that offers three rows of seating.

But getting back to what I first was talking about, which was hauling stuff and not hauling you-know-what, the Durango provides passengers with good room in all three rows (38.6 inches of legroom for the second row, 31.5 inches for the third). With optional captains’ chairs ($995) in the second row instead of the usual 60/40 split bench seat, third-row occupants also pick up a little more knee room from the open space in the middle. It just seems less cramped.

And it doesn’t skimp on cargo space. With the two third-row seats in place, capacity in the far back is 17.2 cubic feet, good to handle a standard grocery run. Fold them flat and that opens up to 47.7 cubic feet. Maximum cargo space with the second row folded is 84.5 cubic feet, which is surpassed by only the biggest full-size SUVs on the market today.

Encompassing all that space is an interior that I would describe as “spartan sophisticated” that complements a bold, in-your-face exterior. By that I mean a cabin that doesn’t hit the level of luxury but with leather trimmed bucket seats (either Capri leather or Nappa leather is standard on all but the SXT trim, which gets mesh cloth), a leather-wrapped steering wheel that is pleasant to the touch, rear-park assist and backup camera and a version of the company’s UConnect telematics, including one that features navigation (again standard on the upper trims), the Durango is pleasing to the eye if not luxurious.

Such options as a Customer Preferred Package that included Beats premium audio, navigation, and power sunroof and power rear lift gate plus a rear entertainment center, trailer tow group, safety features like blind spot and cross path detection, and a power tilt-and-telescoping steer wheel nicely topped off the features of the Durango GT that served me for a week.

Mechanically, the Durango offers two different engines.

A 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine (295 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque) is standard for the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 (slightly smaller than what will be in the SRT and tuned to 360 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque) is standard on the R/T and available on the Citadel.

An 8-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual gear selection is standard on all trims, and all trim lines are available with all-wheel drive in addition to the standard rear-wheel configuration. Towing capacity is 6,200 pounds for V6 models with either RWD or AWD, 7,400 for RWD V8s and 7,200 for AWD V8s.

As for fuel mileage, the V6 is rated at 19 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway, and 21 combined with RWD and 18/25/21 with AWD. Figures for the V8 are 14/22/17 with RWD, 14/22/17 with AWD. Considering the V6 provides adequate punch for everyday tasks, I’d go with that over the V8. And if you really want that extra power, just save up over the next few months while waiting for the SRT.

MSRP for the Durango starts at just under $30,000 for the SXT and runs to nearly $45,000 for the R/T V8 with AWD. The GT that I had featured AWD and started at $40,095 but with all the extras added, plus the destination and delivery charge of $1,095, it topped out at $49,065.

The low end is a bargain but, of course, lacks many of the features that give the Durango some advantages over its competitors. The high end is just that — high end.

What I liked about the 2017 Dodge Durango GT: It doesn’t have the feel of a vehicle of its size when it comes to handling, and the ride is comfortable and quiet. The real plus is the simplicity of operation of infotainment systems like audio and navigation. Very, very intuitive. Also, you can turn off the annoying start-stop system that shuts down the engine when you come to a complete stop.

What I didn’t like about the 2017 Dodge Durango GT: The center console is on the small side, especially for an SUV, and doesn’t offer as much in the way of stowage as the optional second-row console ($300) that rests between the two captain’s chairs.

Would I buy the 2017 Dodge Durango GT: I don’t have the need personally for a three-row SUV, but yes, I would at least take a look if I were shopping in the segment.