2020 Dodge Durango

The Dodge brand is comfortable in its skin, making powerful, extroverted, vehicles without apology. That applies to the Durango SUV, though even the more pedestrian models are rowdier than most. It hasn’t had a significant overhaul in nearly a decade, but the Durango’s design has aged well over the years. The list of standard advanced driver-assistance safety technology isn’t long, however, so buyers should be aware of what’s packed into their new Dodge before signing on the dotted line. 

The Durango can be equipped with the outrageous 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine from the Dodge Challenger SRT that delivers 475 horsepower, but the 293-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 that comes in “normal” trims will satisfy the needs of most. A 5.7-liter V8 also is available as is an over-the-top SRT Durango Hellcat Supercharged 6.2-liter V8  that makes 710 horsepower. Technically, the Hellcat is a 2021 model, but it went on sale part-way through 2020. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it’s a smooth powertrain that provides more than adequate acceleration for most situations. Rear-wheel-drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is a $2,600 upcharge.

Unique for the segment, Durango’s with either V8 option can be fitted with a genuine two-speed transfer case with neutral to permit flat-towing without further modification. Durango models with the V6 engine also make a healthy noise under acceleration, though it’s nothing like the thundering V8. Around town, the powertrain combo makes the Durango feel like an effortless cruiser; on the highway, it reaches speed quickly and passes slower vehicles without hesitation.

The Dodge is not a small crossover by any means, but it maintains composure and handles itself well on curvy roads. In town, the Durango manages bumps and uneven pavement with ease, eating up all but the very worst potholes and imperfections. Even when fitted with the 20-inch gloss black wheels and low-profile tires (the base SXT version comes with 18-inch wheels), the ride remains comfortable. 

The interior is well-appointed and feels more expensive than it is, no mean feat in an aging vehicle.  The front seats walk a fine line between comfort and support,  but taller drivers will find their knee painfully hits the tow/haul switches underneath the steering wheel. Otherwise, the Durango’s front seats are a lovely place to spend time. 

Our test vehicle came with captain’s chairs in the second row—a bench is standard—and an optional rear-seat DVD player. The rear seats lack the cushy support of the front seats, but they’re still very comfortable on long road trips. Headroom and legroom are abundant, thanks to the Durango’s very gently sloping roofline, but the third row is a tight squeeze for anyone but kids. 

Owners with children will find it easy to fit even the largest of car seats into the second-row captain’s chairs. The Durango’s high roof means there are fewer bumped heads along the way. One thing to note with the rear-seat entertainment screens is that they’re right at foot level for kids in front-facing car seats. Luckily, they fold down to protect themselves, but there’s still an opportunity to get dirt and grime in there from little feet.

The Durango comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen that can run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation is a champ. The Uconnect infotainment software that runs the system is one of the best on the market and is responsive, colorful, and easy to use. Menus are clearly labeled, features are where you’d expect them to be, and there’s never any confusion about how to access a setting. The Alpine six-speaker sound system does a decent job, but the sound quality blurs at higher volumes.

In IIHS testing, the Durango scored “Good” in most areas, except for small overlap front crashworthiness, where it was rated “Marginal.” The headlights also received “Marginal” scores, but front crash prevention received a “Superior” rating. Car seat LATCH ease of use earned an “Acceptable” rating.  

If there’s any single place the Durango seems long in the tooth, it’s in the advanced safety tech department. Most features are added-cost options or not available at all in lower trims, which many of the Dodge’s competitors are including as standard equipment. Adaptive cruise control, advanced brake assist, forward collision warning and lane departure alert are available but come packaged as part of the available Technology Group.