2014 Dodge Durango: Combining Family and Sportiness

In its the glory days, the Durango had a pick-up truck chassis and was considered an out-and-out full-size SUV. Back then, we also had the Aspen – Chrysler’s version of the same vehicle – which was even sold in a hybrid version. If you find one of those relics, bring it directly to a museum! Production of the Durango ended in 2009, but the manufacturer decided to resuscitate the model by offering the third generation in 2011.

The Durango has been playing its cards right ever since. The current incarnation is built on the Mercedes-Benz GL’s platform and is now a crossover aimed at families thanks to its seven-passenger capacity. This is a great choice if you need a roomy vehicle that offers excellent towing capacity and is capable of going off the beaten track. If you have several children, a cottage and a boat, the Durango just may be the vehicle for you.

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Something new in 2014

2014 is bringing us a new Durango whose style and mechanical components have been slightly modified. The base engine remains the 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar developing 290 horsepower and 260 lbs-ft of torque. They managed to squeeze five more ponies out of it in the Rallye version, for a total of 295 horsepower. It’s the sportiest of the versions with the V6 engine.

While this vehicle doesn’t get the Cherokee’s nine-speed automatic transmission, it does feature an eight-speed automatic instead. This transmission improves the vehicle’s fuel consumption by reducing engine revs, especially at cruising speed. The drivetrain also has a good towing capacity (2,812 kg or 6,800 lbs.).

The 5.7-litre V8 HEMI is still available, and it too is paired with the new eight-speed gearbox. Thanks to its cylinder deactivation system, it also offers superior fuel economy. Sure, this engine has more punch, but unless you need the vehicle’s 3,357 kg (7,400 lbs.) of towing capacity, you should opt for the V6 Pentastar.

The Challenger tail end

With the arrival of this new transmission, Dodge also decided to refresh the Durango somewhat. In front, you’ll surely notice its new shield and reworked headlights, but the tail end is more obviously new. It features the same racetrack-inspired strip of LED lights as the Charger and Challenger. The 192 LED bulbs that make up the taillights create quite the show when night falls.

The rest of the Durango has come away looking more stylish than ever. In fact, so sporty are its lines that you’d almost think you were in a Dodge Magnum on steroids. The Rallye and R/T versions are nothing to sneeze at either, with monochromatic colouring adding to the vehicle’s character.

Improvements to the interior presentation have also been made over the years. It’s now a lot more modern and of better quality than it was in the past, and you’ll even notice similarities with the Grand Cherokee’s passenger compartment. Basically, it feels like a luxury vehicle, which is to be expected considering the price. Ever practical, the Durango offers a multitude of seat configurations to adjust the passenger compartment according to your needs. Passengers in the front have ample room and a good driving position is easy to find thanks to numerous adjustment options. Lateral support, however, is lacking. Accessing the third bench is made easier by a simple mechanism that, in one step, lets a child slide into the back without any assistance.

On the road

What we like most about the Durango is how dynamic it is on the road: it really doesn’t feel like such a big vehicle. The balance between the power, comfort and handling is excellent, which makes it not only practical but a lot of fun to drive. The brakes are powerful and the four-wheel independent suspension minimizes weight transfers in turns and when braking. The roll bars have a lot to do with that.

It goes without saying that the V8 HEMI is the better choice if you’re looking for raw power. Its torque translates into superior accelerations enhanced with a rich sound. But we appreciated the balance and – more importantly – the fuel consumption of the 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar.
This year, to maximize fuel economy even more, there’s an Eco mode that is activated every time you start the engine. It optimizes shifting and cuts fuel supply during decelerations, but it’s not a Start/Stop system that shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stopped.

Our main criticism of the Durango is its price, which is steeper than that of the competition. At $39,995, it’s $7,000 more than a Ford Explorer equipped with all-wheel drive. Although Dodge won’t admit it, a less expensive version would undoubtedly attract more buyers.