2011 Dodge Durango SUV

The 2011 Dodge Durango looks a lot more passenger-friendly than the version it replaces. With a 119.8-inch wheelbase, the Dodge Durango is 75.8 inches wide, and has 84.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. Inside, the Durango is notably comfortable and refined—especially for a vehicle without a luxury badge. The driving position in the Dodge Durango is excellent, with a nice, upright vantage point, and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The base Durango Express is priced just below $30,000 and includes a pretty impressive feature set; but Bluetooth is an option and upgrades like power seats, seat heating, push-button start and a power telescoping steering wheel are not offered.

After a one-year hiatus, the Dodge Durango emerges with a new body and a new attitude. As much as 7,400 pounds can be pulled behind a properly equipped 2011 Dodge Durango, a top figure for a large crossover SUV with three rows of seats.

The "2011 Dodge Durango" large crossover SUV is available in five trim levels: base express, sporty Heat, midlevel Crew, performance-themed R/T and top-of-the-line Citadel trim levels.
Standard equipment on the Express includes 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated side view mirrors, remote engine start, full power accessories, cruise control, tri-zone automatic climate control (includes separate rear air-conditioning), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 60/40-split-folding and reclining second-row seat, a 50/50-split-folding third-row seat and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

The Crew adds a power lift gate, power-folding outside mirrors, driver memory functions, power front seats (eight-way driver, six-way passenger), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless ignition/entry, rear park assist, a 115-volt power outlet and a rearview camera.

Stepping up from the Crew to the Citadel adds automatic xenon headlamps, 20-inch wheels, a chrome grille insert, rain-sensing wipers, a sunroof, leather seating, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a navigation system (with Sirius Travel Link).

The 2011 Dodge Durango is offered in several powertrain combinations. You can choose between rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. In Edmunds performance testing, a V6 Durango went from zero to 60 mph in 9 seconds, a bit slower than most competing crossovers. Fuel economy is 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined for the V6 with all-wheel drive.

A five-speed automatic transmission is standard for both engines. The AWD V8 gets an estimated 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway.
Antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front side and side curtain airbags are standard on every 2011 Dodge Durango. Modern and functional, the 2011 Dodge Durango's cabin has been designed with family-style versatility in mind. Regardless of trim level, the design is attractive and features soft-touch materials in place of the former "Dodge Durango's" hard, cheap plastics.

With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the Durango can carry up to 84.5 cubic feet of cargo.
Low-end torque is not a strong suit of this V6, but once the 2011 Dodge Durango is moving, the engine pulls respectably.

In addition to style, this Durango has substance. The Dodge Durango is just a few inches longer than the Explorer but features a wheelbase that's 7 inches longer. For a large three-row crossover, the Dodge Durango handles well. The Durango's confidence-inspiring steering yields arrow-straight tracking and smooth lane changes, aiding highway cruising comfort. The rear-wheel-drive V-6 version is rated 16/23 mpg. With the optional 360-hp, 5.7-liter V-8, it's rated 14/20 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 13/20 mpg with all-wheel drive.

The Durango's V-6 mileage estimates slightly trail those of its competitors. The Traverse gets 17/24 mpg or 16/23 mpg with front- or all-wheel drive, respectively, and the Explorer gets 17/25 mpg or 17/23 mpg. Meanwhile, the front-wheel-drive Mazda CX-9 is rated 17/24 mpg, while the all-wheel-drive model gets 16/22 mpg. When properly equipped, the V-6 Durango can tow up to 6,200 pounds — significantly more than the Traverse (5,200 pounds), Explorer (5,000 pounds) or CX-9 (3,500 pounds).

Standard safety features include side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for all three rows, antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, and trailer-sway control.
Dodge has had a busy 2011 model year, remaking models like the Charger full-size sedan, Dodge Journey crossover and Dodge Durango, to name just a few.