2011 Dodge Durango Philadelphia

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Design of the 2011 Dodge Durango

Unlike the first Durangos, the 2011 Durango uses five-lug wheels, which means a wider choice for those wishing to customize. Twenty-inch tires and wheels are available (or standard) on anything above Express but we consider the 265/60TR18 Michelin Latitude Tour tires and 18x8-inch alloy wheels far and away best for multipurpose use. Spare tires are stowed underneath the back, a nuisance in the snow, but do not require unloading or dirtying the cargo area.

The rear end of the 2011 Durango is sloped more than the previous Durango, not as upright as the ultra-practical Pilot nor as fastback as others. Rear lighting is simple, though we found them too similar to those on the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Like the wheel-well openings, the lower edges all around the perimeter are dark plastic to avoid scuffing and rock chips.

Dodge Durango falls right in the middle of the three-row mix of SUVs for outside dimensions, and the long rear side doors look even longer because they have no fixed quarter window within. It's a fairly subtle shape with chrome down low on most models, sprinkled about more on fancy ones. Windows are neither Hummer-slit nor overly generous, and the apparent proportions vary significantly with paint color.

2011 Dodge Durango Interior

The cargo deck is 32 inches off the ground and has one small deep bin on the left side and a broader one under the main floor. On Crew trim features include a small built-in LED flashlight, hooks and power point on the right and a pair of tie-down loops in the floor. The cargo cover may be mounted behind the second or third-row seats, the hatch has two loading or tailgating lights at the back/lower edge, and the close button is on the left side low enough for a kindergartener to reach.

The second-row seat is split with the narrow section on the passenger side; you can keep two kids belted in the middle row while letting two more get in back. The center position has a soft cushion but the backrest isn't as soft as the outer positions because of the armrest within; a child seat won't be bothered. Both sides recline slightly, there are aim-able reading lights and vents overhead, and in the back of the center console above the 115-VAC outlet.  In general the Durango's interior measurements are very competitive. You might gain an inch here or lose one there, but when your six-foot-plus correspondent can find a comfortable driving position, ride comfortably behind that in the second row, and then easily clamber in to the third row and sit without knees, toes or head scuffing anything we can't argue it's shy on space.

New Durango Power and Handling

The rear-wheel-drive architecture of the Durango means better towing. All models are rated to handle a 5,000-pound trailer; with the tow package the V6 rates 6,200 pounds and the V8 7,200 pounds. A full truck generally means 1,000-1,500 pounds off those maximums, however. Even if we never planned on towing anything we would get the tow package: It includes a full-size spare tire, load-leveling rear shocks, wiring and the hitch that comes in handy for bike or stowage racks, as a recovery point, or a place to show your allegiances.

Durangos with the V6 offer all-wheel drive with power routed to all four wheels all the time. V8 models offer four-wheel drive with low-range gearing for steeper inclines/descents, a Neutral position for flat-towing, and can be used like the all-wheel drive on pavement for slippery conditions.

Around town the Durango soaks up big and small bumps alike with nary a quiver. The nose drops under heavy braking and there is a little body lean in the corners, both providing visual clues without any hint of drama.

2011 Dodge Durango Lineup

Durango Citadel and Citadel AWD upgraded from Crew Lux with Nappa perforated leather seat trim, ventilated front seats, sunroof, Media Center 730, HID low-beams, eight-way power passenger seat (does not fold flat like all other Durango), heated steering wheel, blind spot warning, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, R/T brakes, and 20-inch alloy wheels with chrome covers. Upgrades are limited to the V8, block heater, tow package, and Inferno red paint.

Durango Crew and Crew AWD is the mainstream model, and adds to Express the 506-watt Media 430 sound system, power liftgate, power folding mirrors, remote start, driver memory system, roof rails/cross bars, power 8-way driver and 6-way passenger seats, leather wheel, HomeLink, keyless entry/run, rear camera and park sensors, and a 115-volt 150-watt outlet. Crew options include a 5.7-liter V8, polished 20-inch wheels, an entry navigation/commuter group that includes navigation system, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, rains-sensing wipers, SmartBeam auto-dimming headlamps. Also available: rear DVD entertainment, block heater, sunroof, tow package, and blind spot warning.

Durango R/T, for Road/Track, is the sportiest Durango and comes with a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, revised suspension, bigger brakes, 20-inch wheels, body-color trim, digital suede red-stitched upholstery, HID low-beam headlamps, HomeLink, keyless entry, security system, remote start, leather-wrapped wheel and the Media Center 430 audio system with Bluetooth, nine speakers, and 506-watt Alpine amplification. Durango R/T 4WD is identically equipped. R/T extras include audio upgrades, navigation, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning. A Leather Package for 4WD versions includes leather-trimmed seats, heated first and second-row seats, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power front seats, auto-dimming exterior driver-side mirror, LED signal repeaters on the mirrors, and two-position memory system for seat/mirrors/wheel/radio presets. A DVD rear entertainment system is available, usually requires sunroof.

Conclusions

The 2011 Dodge Durango qualifies as a wholesale advance on its predecessor. It's not merely competitive, it's near the top in many of the things that SUV buyers want. Durango can carry seven people very comfortably, rack up the vacation miles in quiet punctuated only by the half-kilowatt stereo, and is full of the conveniences you never thought of before and now can't do without. That it drives so nicely and is downright fun with the addictive note of the V8 is the frosting on the cake.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com