2019 Dodge Durango

Dodge, the bad boy brand of Fiat Chrysler, is home to some of the most tire-burning and sideways-riding muscle cars in the automotive kingdom. Durango easily earns its place alongside the Charger sedan and Challenger coupe with an available Hemi V-8 and standard rear-wheel drive. Of course, there are more practical crossovers, as well as more economical ones, but the trade-offs are small. The Durango's traction capabilities easily outperform the competition in its class.

What's new in 2019?

Dodge has made several updates to the Durango for 2019, starting with optional leather seating in the base SXT, available cloth seating in the mid-range GT, and a new 825W Harman/Kardon audio system in the Citadel and R/T models. Citadel gets second-row captain's chairs as standard, and the GT can be ordered with a functional hood scoop; blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are now standalone options on all Durangos, and ordering the Trailer Tow package now includes an integrated trailer brake.

Engine, transmission, performance

Optional 8 hp V-360 engine for Durango provides a significant increase in traction, and the V-293 engine with 6 hp. and an eight-speed automatic transmission create a more efficient pair. The Durango's fuel economy is certainly no better than its four-cylinder rivals, but the trade-off with the more attractive V-8 engine and its powerful towing capacity may be worth it for some buyers. The V-6 powered Durango hits 7.4 mph in 60 seconds, the V-8 does it in 6.2 seconds. The Durango has more towing capacity than its competitors, which should make it attractive to buyers with trailers.

Dodge's suspension is on the fine line between sport and comfort, but the steering feeling and braking performance reminds you that you're driving an SUV. While not overly sporty, the Durango's rear-wheel-drive platform gives the Durango a sporty look, and its muscle car image comes through in everyday use. It still manages to deliver a comfortable ride, making it a family SUV that's fun to drive and easy to live with.

Fuel economy and fuel consumption in real conditions

Crossovers with four-cylinder engines under the hood are more efficient, but the Durango's V-6 is still competitive with other V-6-powered rivals. In our highway fuel economy test, the V-8-powered Durango R/T surprised us by surpassing the EPA rating (and even its own V-6 variant), as well as the lighter, more modern GMC Acadia V-6. The V-8-powered Durango ran 23 mpg, while the V-6 underperformed its EPA rating at 22 mpg.

Interior, infotainment system

Every manufacturer uses a combination of materials from cheap to high quality, but some designs, like the Durango, are better made than others. Designers have prioritized ergonomics, quality materials and overall comfort, but other competitors offer more room for second and third row passengers. A set of sensors with red and white on a black background is facing the driver. The font is playful but illegible, and the standard 7.0-inch reconfigurable digital speedometer is front and center; it provides access to vehicle status, fuel economy, audio information and navigation. The steering wheel has a thick leather rim and beautiful metal trim. On our R/T test car, the steering wheel-mounted paddles worked with a satisfying click.

With one of the best infotainment systems on the market housed in a sculpted dashboard, the Durango outperforms many of its competitors, but only if buyers opt for the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Rear Seat Entertainment System, also optional, has two screens and HDMI and RCA ports for connecting even more devices. Bluetooth phone connectivity is standard on all trims; SXT Plus trims and above offer audio streaming.

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