2017 Dodge Durango R/T — Large, functional, capable

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 16, 2017) The Dodge Durango R/T is a muscular, well-proportioned, seven-passenger, three-row crossover sport utility vehicle. It’s also one of the most unique on the market when considering passenger and cargo capacity, power, capability and driving dynamics.

It’s also unique because of its size, slotting nicely between mid-sized crossovers such as the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot and larger rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia. It’s also uncommon to find another crossover that offers the muscle of a V-8 engine and a unibody platform.

That’s because engineers at Dodge’s parent company FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) actually built the Durango on a stretched version of Jeep’s popular five-passenger Grand Cherokee platform, making room for seven passengers and a third row of seats.



Durango is available in a wide range of trim levels, from base SXT to the Citadel Anodized Platinum. Our test vehicle was the performance-oriented Durango R/T powered by the brawny 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The R/T is currently the quickest Durango in the lineup, but that’s about to change with the introduction later this year of the SRT, a 392-cubic-inch Hemi V-8 that boasts 475-horsepower and 470 lb-feet of torque.

While there will certainly be bragging rights to be one of the first to park a Durango SRT in your garage, there’s ample performance and driving pleasure in spades with the R/T. Overall performance isn’t necessarily just limited to acceleration and cornering ability. One also has to consider steering response, breaking, towing capacity and suspension tuning. R/T will more than satisfy the vast majority of drivers without spending an additional $30,000 for an SRT.

One thing you won’t get with the R/T is stellar fuel economy. Our Hemi-powered R/T’s fuel economy was rated at 14 miles per gallon city and 22 highway. Premium fuel is recommended.

Outside, the R/T suggests a muscle car persona, with dual exhausts carved through the rear bumper, 20-inch low-gloss granite crystal wheels, and the double crosshair grille with a strong lower front valance. Thankfully, designers accomplished the look without resorting to faux hood scoops or lower body plastic cladding.



Inside, the Durango boasts a handsome interior that’s more premium than luxury. Even with its leather-trimmed and nicely bolstered bucket seats with embossed red R/T stitching, optional second-row captain’s chairs, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and quality materials, it doesn’t scream luxury. It’s more of a rugged outdoors yet refined look, rather than Rodeo Drive. But that fits perfectly with the Dodge brand, which includes vehicles like the Challenger and Charger performance models.

But there’s more to the R/T than just its good looks, with an abundance of technical and functional improvements. There’s plenty of cargo space with more than 17 cubic feet behind the third row of seats, 47 cubic feet with the third-row folded, and 84 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat. That’s more than most competitor vehicles.

Our R/T came equipped with Chrysler’s fantastic Uconnect infotainment system including a CD player, SiriusXM and navigation displayed on an 8.4-inch touchscreen with a Beats premium audio system. There’s also a rear seat infotainment system with dual nine-inch screens where the kids can watch a BluRay disc or plug in a game. Unfortunately neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto are available.

Other equipment included the $2295 optional technology group with adaptive cruise control with stop, advanced brake assist, blind-spot and cross-path detection, full-speed forward-collision warning plus, and lane-departure warning plus.

Crash test results were not the best for Durango. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it the highest possible “good” rating for moderate front overlap, side crash, roof strength, head restraints and seats but a “marginal” rating for small front overlap front crashes. That’s disappointing, especially because those ratings are important in a family type vehicle like Durango.

Durango was awarded an overall four out of five stars, receiving four stars in frontal crashes, five stars in front crashes, and three stars for rollovers in 4WD models by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Overall, the performance capabilities, seating flexibility, towing capacity, engine power and confident handling in this large crossover makes it fun to drive. The big disappointments, however, are the crash test ratings that fall short of competitors’ and the dismal fuel economy.

Vital Stats

Base Price: $43,190
Price as Tested: $49,670
Engine: 5.7-liter Hemi V-8
Horsepower: 360-hp
Fuel Economy: 14-MPG City – 22-MPG Highway
Crash Test Safety Ratings: IIHS Good – NHTSA 4-Star

Competes With

Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Explorer
Honda Pilot
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Sequoia

What Stands Out

Good passenger and cargo capacity
Excellent Uconnect infotainment/operation system
Powerful V-8 engine