Used 2022 Dodge Durango

The typical midsize 3-row SUV isn’t known for distinctive styling or high power output. The 2022 Dodge Durango breaks stereotypes of the family crossover with its head-turning muscular styling and the power to match. It’s been called a 7-seat Challenger, and that’s an accurate description. With a brawny standard Dodge V6 and two V8 options available, the Durango has the performance of a muscle car with the practicality of a crossover.

Other than the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the Dodge Durango is the only mainstream midsize 3-row crossover available with a V8 engine. Aside from its unique V8 availability, the Durango competes with other family SUVs like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Chevrolet Traverse. Since the Durango hasn’t gotten a thorough update since the 2011 model year, most of its rivals are more modern and upscale.

The available V8 engines get a lot of attention, but most Dodge Durango models sold have a V6 under the hood. The V6-powered Durango has no shortage of power. It has plenty of guts for everyday driving, even when all seven seats are occupied. The base engines in some crossovers in this segment tend to run out of breath when you’re using all of the seats. But, that isn’t a problem for the Durango.

If you have the means to upgrade to a V8 and don’t mind the lower mpg numbers, they add a lot of fun to this practical crossover. The 5.7-liter V8 truly gives the Durango the character of a muscle car without sacrificing any of its functionality. Not only does it add more thrust and a satisfying exhaust note, but it also boosts the tow rating pretty significantly.

Finally, the 6.4-liter V8 in the Durango is a riot. The Durango SRT 392 is more fun than a family crossover has any right to be. If you have the budget and the appetite for a high-powered muscle car but need the versatility of a 3-row SUV, there are few crossovers out there that can fill that specific niche like this one.

Handling isn’t quite as agile as some of the Durango’s competitors. It can be a bit floaty in tight corners, but it’s pretty comfortable in straight-line cruising. The SRT 392 model, however, has a heavily revised suspension that drastically improves handling.

The interior of the Dodge Durango is satisfyingly roomy and pretty flexible. Three-row seating comes standard on every trim, which is new for 2022. You can upgrade the bench second-row seats to captain’s chairs that easily tilt and slide for easy access to the third row. The passenger room is spacious in the first two rows and reasonably roomy in the third row, but the way-back is still best reserved for children.

Interior material quality is a bit of a mixed bag. The base SXT trim has some hard plastics and simpler materials throughout the interior, but nothing that feels too cheap. If you want a more upscale crossover, consider upgrading to the Citadel trim, which adds luxuries like Nappa leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, and much more.

The cargo space in the Durango is about average for this class. Naturally, the more back seats you fold down, the more cargo space you’ll get.

The exterior is one of the unique things about the Dodge Durango. There’s no other crossover SUV that looks quite like it. It has the distinct curves of a muscle car reminiscent of the Dodge Charger but in the form of a boxy SUV. Few players in this class can claim that they really stand out in traffic, but the Durango is one of them.

The look of the Dodge Durango can change a bit depending on the trim. For example, the R/T and SRT 392 models have a decidedly sporty look with an intimidating hood, and the Citadel trim looks a bit more premium with tasteful use of chrome.

The size of the midsize Durango is similar to the Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda CX-9, and Ford Explorer.

AVAILABLE V8 ENGINES
The two optional V8 engines available under the hood of the Durango make it more muscular than the average family crossover.

UCONNECT 5
The available 10.1-inch screen in the Durango now comes with the modern and snappy Uconnect 5 infotainment system.

The Dodge Durango gets some welcome additions to the standard features list for 2022. At last, 3-row seating comes standard across the model range, including on the base SXT trim. Also standard on the SXT model is a power driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, bright roof rails, tri-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights and fog lights, and an 8.4-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Standard safety tech features on the Durango include a backup camera with rear cross-path detection and blind-spot monitoring. Most rivals in this segment are more generous with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

The mid-range GT trim gets some new standard kit for 2022. It now comes bundled with remote start, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate. Other than dual exhaust outlets, there isn’t much else that comes standard on the GT model on top of the base SXT trim, but more options become available. Among them are the upgraded 10.1-inch infotainment system, more safety tech features, a back-seat entertainment system, and more.

The R/T trim is the only one that comes standard with the 5.7-liter V8 engine. It also adds a muscular appearance package, sport-tuned steering and suspension, leather/suede upholstery, heated front seats, and a memory driver’s seat. The aforementioned 10.1-inch infotainment system is standard on R/T and up and adds navigation, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Alpine premium audio, and HD Radio.

The Citadel trim is the most luxury-oriented model in the Durango lineup. It comes with additional tastefully applied chrome on the outside and plenty of premium features on the inside. You get Nappa leather seats, ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and heated second-row captain’s chairs.

The Citadel model is where a suite of driver assistance features becomes standard like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. These are nice to have, but many of the Durango’s competitors have these features as standard equipment.

The Durango SRT 392 isn’t quite like any other SUV in its class. On top of the thrilling 475-horsepower V8 engine, it adds Brembo brakes, a Bilstein high-performance adaptive damping suspension, SRT Performance Pages and drive modes, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters. This is the only trim of the Durango with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in lieu of rear-wheel drive (RWD).

A few available option packages allow you to make your Durango your own. The Blacktop Package gives the Durango some extra aesthetic attitude, while a couple of available Plus packages add more features.

GT Plus adds a memory system, rain-sensing wipers, and leather/suede first- and second-row seats. R/T Plus makes the Durango R/T more like the Citadel model by adding Nappa leather seats, a sunroof, a Premium Interior Package, and Harman Kardon premium audio. Both Plus packages also add more safety tech features.

The Dodge Durango has three engines available, giving it more mechanical variety than most of its rivals. The base engine is a V6 that delivers a satisfying blend of performance and fuel economy.

A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is standard in the R/T model and optional in the Citadel trim. It’s a pretty nice boost in performance over the base engine, but it also comes with a pretty big fuel economy penalty.

The top SRT 392 model is powered by a 6.4-liter V8, making 115 horsepower more than the smaller V8 option. Unsurprisingly, this is the least fuel-efficient engine of the bunch, but it’s also by far the most exhilarating.

The V6 tows up to 6,200 pounds. Both V8 engines have a max tow rating of 8,700 pounds, which is impressive for this class. If you get the 5.7-liter V8, you need to add the Tow N Go package to get that 8,700-pound tow rating.

Rear-wheel drive is standard in the Durango, and all-wheel drive is optional (except on the AWD-only SRT 392 trim). Every Durango is equipped with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

3.6-liter V6
293 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm (single exhaust)
295 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm (dual exhaust, GT and Citadel)
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (RWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD)

5.7-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 5,150 rpm
390 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/22 mpg (RWD & AWD)

6.4-liter V8
475 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
470 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg