2011 Dodge Durango

The 2011 Dodge Durango returns after a yearlong hiatus, completely rebuilt from the ground up with all-new everything.  Let’s take a look.

Dodge has rebuilt the 2011 Durango with consumers in mind.  Unlike its platform-mate the Jeep Grand Cherokee, on which off-road capability was the priority, the Durango was built with a different audience in mind.  It offers truck-based SUV capabilities when it comes to towing and cargo hauling, but its behavior on the road is more in line with a crossover. 

Under the hood, the good news continues.  Standard is a 290-horsepower, 3.6-liter version of Chrysler’s Pentastar V-6.  For added power and capability, a 360-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 is available as well.  The V-8 also features cylinder deactivation technology, which shuts down engine cylinders when they are not needed to increase fuel economy.  Both engines come mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.  Rear-wheel drive comes standard and all-wheel drive is available for those who will travel more demanding surfaces.  Fuel economy ratings vary, expect to get between 14-16 mpg in the city and 20-23 mpg on the highway depending on engine/drivetrain choices.

On the outside, the new Durango features a very aggressive front, with a large crosshair grille it shares with the Challenger and a pronounced front lip.  From the side and rear, the Durango looks decidedly more tame, and with its new unibody construction the SUV sits lower than previous iterations.  18-inch wheels, fog lights, automatic headlights, and heated side mirrors are all standard exterior features.   Further exterior options help to expand the Durango’s utility, including a power liftgate, power sunroof, roof rack with cross rails, and rain-sensing wipers.

Inside, the 2011 Durango really puts the “utility” in SUV.  The Durango’s interior, which comes with seating for seven, can be reconfigured 28 different ways depending on what you need it to do.  The third-row seat can fold into the floor, and the second row and even the front passengers seat can fold flat to accommodate cargo, giving the Durango a maximum cargo room of 84.5 cubic feet.

Like many of the other Dodge models, 2011 brought with it a new interior for the Durango and the results are pretty remarkable.  Soft-touch trim panels abound, replacing cheap feeling plastics.  Chrome and metal accents adorn the instrument panel, vents, and center console.  Standard features on the Durango include steering wheel mounted audio controls, tri-zone automatic air conditioning, auxiliary audio input, and ambient lighting.  Options include a touch-screen audio system with hard drive, navigation system, front- and second-row heated seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Sirius Backseat television.

The 2011 Durango comes with a long list of standard safety features, including antilock brakes, side-impact airbags up front, three-row side curtain airbags, stability system, and trailer-sway control.  Optional is further safety technology like rear parking sensors, a backup camera, blind spot monitoring system, and adaptive cruise control.

Back with a vengeance, the 2011 Dodge Durango is new and improved, offering great utility and a class-above interior.