The Durango is exactly what you expect from Dodge. It is clearly the muscle car of SUVs. With a choice of four engines (three of which are Hemi V-8s), a rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive platform, and muscle car styling, the Durango is a clear break from the ho-hum world of crossovers. With three rows within a spacious cabin, generous cargo space, and very high maximum towing capacity, the Durango ticks off the SUV boxes with ease, even as it promises to offer a muscle car experience whenever you push the start button.

Performance

The Durango lineup revolves around four engine choices: Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 (STX, GT, Citadel); 5.7-liter V-8 (R/T); 6.4-liter V-8 (SRT 392); and 6.2-liter V-8 (SRT Hellcat). GT and GT Plus models represent a model progression with the V-6 engine, while the multiple R/T trim levels and special editions like the SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet and Hammerhead models feature V-8 engines.

You won’t find any four-cylinder engines in the Durango lineup. The standard engine on the Citadel, GT, and SXT models is the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6. For multiple years in a row, Wards Auto has named it among its 10 Best engines. It produces 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Key features include dual overhead camshafts, high-flow valve ports, Variable Valve Timing, Electronic Throttle Control, and Engine Stop/Start (ESS) technology. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic which sends power to the rear or all four wheels.

The R/T line brings on the first of the three available V-8s with the 5.7-liter HEMI® producing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Power is fed through the same 8-speed automatic, but 4x4 models get a two-speed transfer case for more off-road dexterity. Both the suspension and steering get performance tuning. This engine also includes cylinder-deactivation, which saves fuel by running on just four cylinders during low-load situations (like sustained highway cruising), but instantly and seamlessly activates all cylinders when more power is demanded.

2025 Dodge Durango R/T 20th Anniversary models celebrate the 20 years that the HEMI® has dominated the scene for Dodge vehicles. Each model receives special goodies to not only aid in its overall performance, but also its great looks. In terms of performance, this includes black six-piston Brembo brakes along with the SRT Track Experience. A unique addition to the 20th Anniversary is the inclusion of the Tow N Go package that gives the special model performance-tuned steering, adaptive dampers, an active exhaust, and an 8,700-pound towing capacity.

At the performance summit of the model line are the SRT Hellcat Hammerhead, Silver Bullet, and Brass Monkey models with supercharged 6.2-liter V-8s that produce an astounding 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. Power is channeled to all four wheels via the Quadra-Trac® Active On-Demand 4WD which enables a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.5 seconds. The Durango Hellcat models reach a top speed of 180 mph. Far more than just a V-8 with a Supercharger bolted onto the engine, the Hellcat is infused with high-performance components including:

• A cast-iron engine block with water jackets between the cylinders for optimal cooling
• Forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces
• Heat-treated aluminum-alloy cylinder heads
• High-strength, forged-alloy pistons
• Powder-forged connecting rods with high-load-capacity bushings and diamond-like, carbon-coated piston pins
• Piston-cooling oil jets
• Sodium-cooled exhaust valves, hollow-stem intake valves, and steel-alloy heads that stand up to temperatures as high as 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit
• A dedicated cooling circuit for the charge air coolers integrated into the supercharger housing, including a pump, coolant reservoir, and heat exchanger, is designed to keep air flowing into the engine cooler than 140 degrees Fahrenheit
• Twin-screw rotors in the supercharger set close to minimize air leakage and ensure maximum performance
• The integrated electronic bypass valve regulates boost pressure to a maximum of 11.6 psi; the 2.38-liter supercharger uses a drive ratio of 2.36:1 and has a maximum speed of 14,600 rpm
• Specially tuned crankshaft damper burst tested to 13,000 rpm
• Cold-air scoop in the lower front fascia helps feed the supercharger and the Hellcat engine’s 92-mm throttle body

So seductive is the power of this engine that among the Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, and Eco drive modes is a Valet mode that makes much of the engine’s power unobtainable.

All Durangos ride on a four-wheel independent suspension system for a smooth highway ride and agile handling, particularly on bumpy curves. On board SRT models is the Bilstein® active-damping suspension, which controls the vertical position of the wheels and axles according to the position of its chassis for an improved ride on rough surfaces.

With the Trailer Towing Group, the V-6 Durango has a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. As good as that is, the V-8 model bumps up to 8,700 pounds with the Trailer Towing Group.

Exterior

If one speculates what the Charger would look like as an SUV, the Durango is the answer. It has the same low-profile headlight, grille styling, and wide stance. The profile displays muscularity over each wheel, and the performance hood on most higher-performance models gives the Durango a well-earned swagger that stands out in its class. Wheels of up to 20 inches and details like red Bilstein calipers on performance models add to the muscle car-with-a-backpack appearance.

The R/T 20th Anniversary model adds special exterior styling appointments and can be painted in Diamond black, White Knuckle, Destroyer Grey, and Vapor Grey. The special appearance appointments include a Black HEMI® hood graphic, “345” fender badging with Brass Monkey accents, and 20-by-10-inch Y-spoke forged lightweight Brass Monkey wheels.

Hellcat special edition models each get their own unique exterior colors and wheels, too. The Hellcat Hammerhead gets dark blue Night Moves exterior paint with 20-by-10-inch Satin Carbon wheels, a Satin Black painted hood, bright exhaust tips, and black six-piston Brembo brakes.

The Silver Bullet is painted in Triple Nickle paint and receives a Satin Black painted hood, grey metallic SRT Hellcat badges, Satin Black Dodge taillight badge, SRT black exhaust tips, red six-piston Brembo brakes, and 20-by-10-inch Lights Out finished wheels.

Last but certainly not lease, the Brass Monkey special edition gets special Red Oxide exterior paint and differentiates itself by adding 20-by-10-inch Brass Monkey wheels, Brass Monkey exterior badges, a Satin Black painted hood, black six-piston Brembo brakes, and black exhaust tips.

Interior

The performance styling makes its way to the cabin as well. The driver faces a thick leather-wrapped tri-spoke steering wheel with large red and white gauges giving a clear status readout. Paddle shifters are available on higher performance models and operate with a satisfying click, allowing you to choose your engine RPMs for any given moment. They are particularly useful for mountain driving, where you can keep the rpm high and the engine responsive uphill and use engine braking downhill.

The base model has two rows to seat five, but all other models feature seven-seat capacity seating with a second-row bench or six-seat capacity with second-row captain’s chairs that offer support much like the front-row seats. Heated front-row seats are standard, and upper grades feature both ventilated front seats and heated outboard second-row seats. Seating surfaces start out with cloth and graduate to Nappa leather on Plus and Premium models.

Regarding cargo, Car and Driver could fit four suitcases behind the third row, which it noted was greater than the GMC Acadia. The editors also found they could fit 30 carry-on suitcases in the 85.1 cubic foot cargo space when all seats were folded flat.

Dodge has made sure to give customers the ability to have special edition Durango models that mean something to Dodge enthusiasts. The R/T 20th Anniversary edition gives owners an extra special cabin space that includes SRT seats that offer Tupelo bronze stitching accents and “345” embroidered on the seatbacks, a premium wrapped instrument cluster with forged carbon fiber accents, and second-row captain’s chairs.

Each special edition Hellcat model offers unique interior styling and accents to make them extra special for buyers. Each model features a suede headliner, premium wrapped instrument panel, forged carbon fiber interior accents, and SRT Hellcat logos embroidered on the seatbacks. However, each special edition adds a few extra special touches.

The Brass Monkey model gets Sepia Laguna leather SRT seats, a leather and suede steering wheel with silver and sepia stitching, dual silver and sepia stitching throughout, and light black chrome interior accents. The Silver Bullet special edition adds Ebony Red Nappa leather seats, and dual silver and sepia accent stitching. And the Hammerhead brings Hammerhead Grey Laguna leather seats.

Technology

The center touchscreen starts at 8.4 inches and grows to 10.1 inches on V-8-powered models. The UConnect 4 system accompanies the smaller screen while the big screen is backed by the Uconnect 5 system, which is critically acclaimed for its ease of use. All models are compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ with the smartphone connection being wireless with Uconnect 5. The system also features an effective and intuitive voice command system, which can be particularly useful when trying to locate a specific song from your phone.

The audio system starts with six Alpine speakers and grows to a 506-watt nine-speaker system with a subwoofer on select GT models. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon system is available on V-8-powered Premium models.

Safety and Driver Assistance

All models come standard with Forward Collision with Full Stop, Adaptive Cruise Control also with full-stop ability, as well as Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection. Advanced Brake Assist and LaneSense with Lane Keep Assist can be found on V-8 Premium level models. All models feature a full set of airbags, as well as four-wheel ABS, stability control systems, and brake assistance.