There is certainly no shortage of crossovers and SUVs on the market. In fact, the Jeep brand here at Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) consists entirely of crossovers and SUVs plus the Gladiator pickup. There are also plenty of 3-row crossovers from which to choose. However, if you are a muscle car fan looking for a powerful SUV, you look to THE muscle car brand, Dodge, and most specifically, the Dodge Durango. Dodge bolsters that reputation with the changes to the 2025 Durango, which is the subject of this Benna CDJR blog.
The Durango enters the 2025 model year with GT, R/T, and SRT Hellcat trim levels, each with its own bespoke engine. Several special edition models will also be available, including the Durango R/T 20th Anniversary and three special-edition versions of the Durango SRT Hellcat.
Two Powertrains and One Monster
The GT is the entry into the model line. It has the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, rated at up to 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. In RWD form, the Durango has an EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg of 18 / 25 / 20. With all-wheel drive, the mpg is estimated at 17 / 24 / 20.
One step up is the Durango R/T, which comes standard with a 5.7-liter HEMI producing a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine features cylinder deactivation, which seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy, four-cylinder mode, and V-8 mode when more power is needed. The 8-speed automatic is also matched to this engine, and both RWD and AWD versions have the same EPA mpg estimates of 14 / 22 / 17.
Finally, there is the SRT Hellcat. Those familiar with Dodge or even just performance car nomenclature know that SRT Hellcat means this trim is powered by a 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine. In this state of tune, it produces 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. That is enough to move this 3-row SUV from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds and go on to reach the quarter mile in an NHRA-certified 11.5 seconds. It also has a top speed of 180 mpg. This is more than just a big V8 with a supercharger. High-performance features of this engine include:
- A dedicated cooling circuit for the charge air coolers integrated into the supercharger housing, including a pump, coolant reservoir, and heat exchanger, designed to keep air flowing into the engine cooler than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Twin-screw rotors in the supercharger are set close to minimize air leakage and ensure maximum performance.
- An integrated electronic bypass valve regulates boost pressure to a maximum of 11.6 psi (80 kPa). The 2.38-liter supercharger has a drive ratio of 2.36:1 and a maximum speed of 14,600 rpm.
- A cast-iron engine block with water jackets between the cylinders for optimal cooling
- Forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces
- Specially tuned crankshaft damper burst tested to 13,000 pm
- 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
- Heat-treated aluminum-alloy cylinder heads
- Sodium-cooled exhaust valves, hollow-stem intake valves, and steel-alloy heads that stand up to temperatures as high as 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit (900 degrees Celsius)
- Cold-air scoop in the lower front fascia helps feed the supercharger and the Hellcat engine’s 92-mm throttle body.
- Exhaust system tuned to deliver a throaty Dodge DNA sound
- TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission includes steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual-style shifting and has seven available Drive modes – Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Eco, and Valet.
Muscular Styling
Outside, the Durango wears its performance focus with distinctly muscular styling derived partly from the recent Charger model. The forward-leaning profile includes Dodge DNA design cues on the front, including slim LED low/high headlamps, LED daytime running lamp (DRL) signatures, an iconic crosshair, and a grille. Down the side is muscular surfacing, a rear spoiler, and a variety of wheel options.
The dash is clearly driver-centered, with a center stack angled 6 degrees toward the driver. The 10.1-inch touchscreen is powered by the critically acclaimed Stellantis Uconnect 5 operating system with Durango-specific graphics. The SRT Hellcat features exclusive performance-themed graphics.
2025 Special Editions
There will be four Durango Special Editions for 2025:
- R/T 20th Anniversary – Honoring 20 years of bringing back the HEMI engine, this special edition model includes:
- Black HEMI hood graphic
- “345” fender badging with Brass Monkey accents
- 20-by-10-inch Y-spoke forged lightweight Brass Monkey wheels
- SRT seats featuring distinctive Tupelo bronze-like stitching accents and “345” embroidered on seatbacks
- Black exterior badging
- The tow N Go package adds performance-tuned steering, adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, active exhaust, and an 8,700 lb. towing capacity.
- Black six-piston Brembo brake system
- Premium wrapped instrument panel and forged carbon-fiber interior accents
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- SRT Track Experience featured for the first time on a Durango R/T and exclusive to the 20th Anniversary Edition
There will be three Special Edition versions of the SRT Hellcat, including:
- SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet – Wearing an exclusive Triple Nickel exterior color, this model features:
- Satin Black painted hood, featured for the first time on a Durango
- Grey metallic SRT Hellcat badging
- Satin Black Dodge taillamp badge
- SRT black exhaust tips
- Red six-piston Brembo brake system
- 20-by-10-inch Lights Out finished wheels
- Ebony Red Nappa leather seats — featured for the first time on a Durango SRT
- SRT Hellcat logo accented with sepia stitch and embroidered on seatbacks
- Premium wrapped instrument panel and forged carbon-fiber interior accents
- Suede steering wheel embellished with silver and sepia accent stitching
- Suede headliner
- Dual silver and sepia accent stitching throughout the interior
- SRT Hellcat Hammerhead – Taking its name from its distinctive hammerhead Grey leather interior, paired with a Dark blue Night Moves exterior. Hammerhead features include:
- Sepia SRT Hellcat logo embroidered on seatbacks
- 20-by-10-inch Satin Carbon wheels
- Satin Black painted hood
- Bright exhaust tips
- Black six-piston Brembo brake system
- Premium-wrapped instrument panel
- Forged carbon-fiber with light black chrome interior accents
- Leather and suede steering wheel featuring silver/sepia stitching
- Dual silver/sepia accent stitching throughout the interior
- Suede headliner
- SRT Hellcat Hammerhead Brass Monkey – The most colorfully named of the four special Editions takes its moniker from the dark bronze 20-by-10-inch Brass Monkey wheels, which are matched by Brass Monkey exterior badging. The exterior is Red Oxide with Sepia Laguna leather seating. Other Brass Monkey features include:
- Silver SRT Hellcat logo embroidered on seatbacks
- Leather and suede steering wheel featuring silver/sepia stitching
- Satin Black painted hood
- Black six-piston Brembo brake system
- Black exhaust tips
- Dual silver/sepia accent stitching throughout the interior
- Premium-wrapped instrument panel
- Forged carbon-fiber with light black chrome interior accents
- Suede headliner
If you are looking for a large SUV with the power to thrill on any surface, contact Benna CDJR and inquire about your favorite of the 2025 Durango model line.
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