Rugged good looks and refinement

Face-lifted for 2014 with a moodier and a more charismatic fascia, more sophisticated and efficient eight-speed automatic gearbox and a more advanced infotainment unit, the latest Dodge Durango is a welcome update to an already well-sorted medium- to large-family SUV. First launched in 2011, the Durango is modern SUV unibody built on Mercedes ML Class derived architecture and is to rival both rear- and four-wheel-drive traditional body-on-frame American SUVs and road-biased and family-oriented front- and four-wheel-drive crossover SUVs. With the aggressively macho looks of the former and refinement of the latter, the Durango makes a sensible addition to either genre.

Moody and charismatic

Offered with a choice of modern 3.6-litre V6 or traditionally flavoured 5.7-litre V8, rear- or four-wheel-drive and a host of trim levels from sporty and basic Rallye, well-appointed Limited, luxurious Citadel or sporty and luxurious R/T, the entry-level SXT with rear-wheel-drive is, however, the most affordable and lightest. Without the four-wheel-drive and low ratios, the rear-drive SXT may lack the other version’s all-paw traction and off-road abilities, but with less weight, it is a more eager handling vehicle, while its beige cloth upholstery creates an airy cabin ambiance with grippy seat textures to keep one in place through hard corners, 

Though it shares common underpinnings with the Mercedes ML Class and seven-seat GL Class, the Dodge Durango’s styling is distinctly American, with a moody sense of menace that owes more to Dodge’s classic muscle cars in spirit if not actual design. Having gotten it right to begin with, the Durango’s aesthetics are only mildly refreshed for a sharper and more contemporary look, with a high-set and more sculpted bumper, with a honeycomb mesh and split crosshair design for its gaping wide and hungry grille. The deep-set headlights receive revised arrangements, including a “hockey stick” running light element to complement the equally sporting and macho “race track” rear light LED outline.

Efficient engine

Wide, tall, long and with assertive fascia, tight design lines and muscular sheet metal, the Durango cuts an impressive figure, while under its heavily browed front and muscular bonnet, the entry-level model SXT version tested featured the Chrysler group’s much lauded and modern 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine. High-revving yet smooth and refined engine with a 6,400rpm rev limit — at which point power peaks at 290HP — the Pentastar is, however, a willing mid-range performer, with 260lb/ft torque peaking at 4,800rpm. With 90 per cent of its maximum torque online throughout a broad 1,600-6,400rpm range, the Durango 3.6 is flexible and confident on inclines and when overtaking.

Driving the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed gearbox — similar to those employed by BMW and Rolls Royce — the revised Durango is able to achieve better acceleration, efficiency and on-the-move flexibility owing to a wider and more closely spaced series of ratios, which allow it to better utilise its engine output and stay within the optimum performance and efficiency bands. Smooth and swift shifting, the Durango SXT gearbox’s taller overdrive ratios helps the 2,157kg SUV achieve 11.7L/100km combined cycle fuel efficiency, while more aggressive lower gears and good rear wheel traction allow for 7.4-second 0-100km/h off-the-line acceleration.

Refined ride

With ideal 50:50 weight distribution and lighter than four-wheel drive and high spec version, the rear-driven Durango SXT turns in more eagerly, with its front tyres gripping hard, while through corners, its gas-charged dampers and firm optional low profile 265/50R20 footwear well contain body roll for such a large SUV. With stiff unibody construction and all-round independent suspension, the Durango is far ahead of its body-on-frame rivals for handling finesse and precision ride quality, and noise, vibration and harshness isolation. A more road-oriented vehicle than its Jeep Grand Cherokee cousin, the Durango’s longer wheelbase lends it more lateral grip and stability.

Steel — rather than air — suspension feels more nuanced and buttoned down, especially through winding backroads, where the Durango fluidly tackles corners with unexpected, agility, control and precision. Despite a light resistance and tall gearing, the Durango’s steering has a hint of fluency that is rarely encountered in a large SUV. Stable at highway speeds and under sudden braking, the Durango takes roughness and imperfections with composure and comfort. Without four-wheel drive or low gear ratios the rear-driven Durango is not as off-road capable as four-wheel-drive versions, but its generous low-end torque, 207mm ground clearance and modestly generous angles allow it a useful measure of off-road ability.

Cabin comfort

More spacious than traditional SUV rivals despite a smaller size, the Durango’s cabin is comfortable and accommodating, with room to comfortably fit large adults front and rear, while the third row of seats adds practicality. Good front visibility combines with good seat and steering adjustability, while cabin access is aided by wide door swing angles. Cabin fit, finish and design are above expectations for the Durango’s segment, with soft textures prominently used and uncluttered, user-friendly controls, including a classy rotary dial gear selector, similar in design to the luxury Range Rover, in addition to steering-mounted sequential paddle shifters.

High tech and user-friendly inside, the Durango features a customisable seven-inch (17.8cm)  TFT instrument display, and standard  five-inch (12.7cm) Uconnect infotainment touch screen, that can access smart phones and features voice command operation for various settings, sat nav, climate control and entertainment systems. USB, SD and auxiliary jacks are standard, and an 8.4-inch (21.3cm) Uconnect screen is optional. Seven airbags are standard safety equipment, while adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection are optional. With its sizeable luggage volume expanding from a 487-litre minimum to a 2,392-litre maximum, the Durango can carry a 605kg payload, while flat folding third row seats provide a uniform loading bay.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 3.6-litre, in-line V6-cylinders

Bore x Stroke: 96 x 83mm

Compression ratio: 10.2:1

Valve-train: 24-valve, DOHC

Gearbox: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive

Ratios: 1st 4.174; 2nd 3.143; 3rd 2.106; 4th 1.667; 5th 1.285; 6th 1.0; 7th 0.839; 8th 0.667

Reverse / axle ratios: 3.295 / 3.45

Power, HP (kW): 290 (216) @ 6,400rpm

Torque lb/ft (Nm): 260 (520) @ 4,800rpm

Redline: 6,400rpm

0-100 km/h: 7.4-seconds (est.)

Fuel consumption, city / highway / combined: 13 / 9.4 / 11.7l/100km

Fuel capacity: 93.1 Litres

Minimum fuel requirement: 91RON

Length: 5,110mm

Width, with (without) mirrors: 2,172 (1,924)mm 

Height, (antenna): 1,800 (1,847)mm

Wheelbase: 3042mm

Track, F/R: 1623 / 1627mm

Minimum ground clearance: 207mm

Load floor height: 817mm

Kerb weight: 2,157kg

Payload: 605kg

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): 2,948kg

Aerodynamic drag co-efficiency: 0.35

Approach / break-over / departure angles: 16.3° / 18.1° / 21.5°

Seating capacity: 7

Headroom, 1st / 2nd / 3rd row: 1,013 / 1,011 / 960mm

Legroom, 1st / 2nd / 3rd row: 1,025 / 981/ 800mm

Shoulder room, 1st / 2nd / 3rd row: 1,486 / 1,281 / 1,281mm

Cargo volume, behind 1st / 2nd / 3rd rows: 2,392- / 1,350- / 487-litres

Steering: Hydraulic rack & pinion

Turning circle: 11.3-metres

Lock-to-lock: 3.67-turns

Suspension, F/R: SLA / Multi-link, coil spring, twin-dampers, stabiliser bar

Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs 330 x 32mm / 330 x 14mm discs

Tyres: 265/50R20