2011 Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is completely redesigned for the 2011 model year. Reviewers say this is a good thing, as the updates were sorely needed. As a result, the Durango is now one of the most competitive midsize SUVs; everything impresses critics, from the exterior looks and interior quality to the driving experience.

Modern looks inside and out

Reviewers like the Durango's new look: Scott Burgess from The Detroit News says that among all of the Durango's improvements "what everyone will notice right away…is how crisp and clean the exterior looks." AutoBlog.com corroborates in testing a R/T trim Durango, calling the "integrated" look "athletic, strong and modern." There is little debate among experts about the exterior's inherent new appeal.

Testers also happily note that the overhaul has taken care of its predecessor's bargain-basement interior quality and design. Cars.com notes that Dodge interiors were recently "rightly criticized for their uninspired design and rudimentary construction," but that the new Durango's interior "is a big improvement over the old model's lackluster one, and it's among the best in the segment." Cars.com goes on to describe the design details of the interior, underscoring the "smooth finishes" and "high-grade materials and good panel fit." Reviewers find this to be the case in both the base trim levels and the more expensive versions of the Durango.

Comfort- and amenity-laden

Not only is build and material quality much better inside, but so are the comfort and convenience options. The cabin is generally comfortable, particularly the front seats, though a few reviewers find that the second-row seats are a bit flat and have slightly less room than some rival SUVs. Even so, nearly all reviewers praise the Durango for its excellent third-row access and room; Edmunds.com editors say that the third row "offers a surprising amount of leg- and headroom (even for 6-footers)."

Even the base Durango, the Express, includes niceties such as three-zone climate controls, fog lights and heated sideview mirrors. Maximum cargo capacity is 84.5 cubic feet, with the second- and third-row seats folded; some rivals, like the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse (Base MSRP: $29,370 to $40,250), offer more cargo space.

Occupants have new entertainment options as well. The Durango can be equipped with Dodge's uConnect system, which bundles navigation and a touch-screen interface, plus a built-in hard drive for onboard media storage. Rear-seat entertainment is available and actually goes beyond the usual DVD player: drivers can opt for live satellite TV.

The uConnect infotainment system's interface leaves many experts wanting a better, more modern experience, though. TheTruthAboutCars.com editors say that uConnect "continues to resemble a Chinese knock-off of SYNC," referring to Ford's popular infotainment system, and Automobile magazine observes that it "has lots of functionality…but the hard buttons and the menu logic could be improved." A newer, more sophisticated infotainment interface is offered in other Chrysler/Dodge vehicles, so hopefully it will trickle down to the Durango at some point.

Powerful engines allow for good towing capability

Two engines are available in the 2011 Durango -- a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 290 horsepower and a stout 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that musters 360 horsepower and 390 pounds-feet of torque. Testers say the V6 is an adequate performer with respectable power. Most, however, prefer the brisk acceleration delivered by the available Hemi V8. In most daily driving situations, however, the V6 should prove more than adequate for the majority of drivers, while delivering better fuel economy.

The V6 engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, which experts say is one of the Durango's few weak spots. Motor Trend blames the transmission's performance for landing the Durango in second place in a comparison test, saying that "Dodge's old, nearly antiquated five-speed just isn't up to snuff," delivering relatively lazy shifts. The V8 engine also gets the five-speed, though it will be updated to a six-speed unit for the 2012 model year.

Both engines offer excellent towing capability: The base trim V6 can pull 6,200 pounds and the V8 has a 7,400-pound capacity when optioned correctly. This is more than nearly all other midsize SUVs.

Fuel economy, while not terrible for the V6, still trails some segment rivals. The EPA estimates that the two-wheel-drive V6 Dodge Durango will achieve 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway/19 mpg combined, while the more powerful V8 penalizes drivers with 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway/16 mpg combined. Four-wheel-drive models get slightly lower fuel economy (one less mile per gallon in the combined cycle).

Ride quality and handling are excellent

Experts unanimously agree that the Durango's ride quality is now top-notch. Motor Trend describes the highway ride as "smooth and locked down," and Cars.com says that "the highlight of the new Durango's driving experience is, without question, its ride comfort and overall poise." Despite its hefty curb weight, handling is excellent; reviewers say the steering feel is "full of life," and AutoBlog.com says that "when the roads got twisty, the Durango's new fully-independent suspension somehow masked at least a thousand pounds." The Durango performs well in off-road situations, too; Popular Mechanics says it was "unstoppable" during a comparison test it won at the Silver Lake Dunes.

An IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Dodge Durango has been crash tested by the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but not yet by the government. In IIHS testing, the Dodge Durango gets the highest score in front-, side- and rear-impact tests, as well as rollover strength tests, earning it the organization's Top Safety Pick designation. Standard equipment includes antilock brakes, side-curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, electronic stability control, traction control and trailer sway control.

Reliability is predicted to be better than average, according to one respected independent survey.

Bottom Line:

Reviewers generally love the new Durango and find little to quibble about, aside from the transmission (which is set to be replaced in coming years). Popular Mechanics echoes other reviews when it concludes that "as an overall package, nothing does a better job of reconciling genuine ruggedness with daily usability."