2021 Dodge Durango SRT 392 review: A big, comfy, 475-hp couch

In principle, there is not considerably that is in fact new in the Detroit-developed Dodge Durango. Barring a delicate facial area-carry inside of and out, the 2nd refresh in this SUV’s third era, the 2021 model is a continuation of the one particular that is been kicking all over because 2011. The six.four-liter Hemi V8 that carries the 392 designation has been in Chargers and Challengers because 2015. Nonetheless, in combining the two, Dodge has established its own unique beast, one particular supplying quickly, spouse and children-friendly operation. What is actually more, some current high quality-of-lifetime updates make this a incredibly perfectly-rounded and extremely compelling three-row SUV.

The Durango’s shape should be pretty common, provided its age. But for the 2021 model yr, there are a number of new aesthetic methods up this model’s sleeve. The headlights are a bit more aggressive thanks to a rejiggering and the SRT 392 picks up a chin spoiler for a small more sporting disposition. Irrespective of whether you decide for the Durango’s normal V6 or one thing a small spicier, this SUV appears massive and tough, its proportions not much too significantly off from the burly Charger sedan.

2021 also graced the Dodge Durango with a sharp new interior. Most of its oldest-seeking bits are gone, with a new dashboard that much better integrates its infotainment monitor. Even however there is certainly entire weather-handle operation developed into the display, I truly respect the entire enhance of actual physical buttons just beneath the monitor, furnishing straightforward entry to HVAC options as perfectly as the heated seats and steering wheel. My tester feels just a bit fancier thanks to comfortable and supportive Laguna leather seats ($one,595) and the Premium Interior Team offer ($2,495), which adds a suede headliner, fancier supplies on the instrument panel and some cool-seeking carbon interior accents. The revised heart console is swell, much too, with more room for a wi-fi unit charger, a decently sized under-armrest cubby and 4 USB ports (two USB-A, two USB-C).

The beltline is a small on the high aspect, so the 2021 Durango can from time to time really feel a bit visually constricting, but there is certainly in fact loads of room inside of. Sitting in the 2nd-row captain’s chairs, I am not remaining wanting for headroom or legroom, and the $595 2nd-row console choice adds some good creature comforts which includes illuminated cup holders and an more USB charging port, in addition to the pair delivered normal. If two rows is not ample, a swift carry of a aspect handle vaults the center row forward, supplying entry to a third row that is incredibly roomy for a six-foot-tall adult, even with a a bit lifted ground. That optional console has a reverse hinge that allows way-again occupants to entry what is inside of, which is a effectively clever touch. No make any difference the row, just about every seat is snug ample to soak up lots of, lots of miles.

That is a good factor, simply because the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT is developed for cruising. Just decide on a route, wrangle this sufficiently huge brute on to any regional on-ramp and sit again and unwind. The Durango eats up miles and returns consolation in spades, thanks in part to an adaptive suspension that, in its most snug Automobile mode, more or much less gets rid of any nastiness underfoot. The steering is just immediate ample for a mild touch to manage heading, despite the fact that in blustery circumstances, this slab-sided equipment could have to have a number of more minor course corrections. The gasoline pedal is fully much too sensitive, even at its most muted, sending heads bobbing a bit more than I’d like in all over-city driving, but the brake pedal is great in its modulation. For an more $one,295, you can slap on some SRT efficiency front brakes with two-piece rotors that will scrub speed at an outstanding price, which can spell the big difference amongst overcooking a corner and coming out the other aspect all squeaky-cleanse like.

Typically, I would not so considerably as mention corner-carving in a three-row spouse and children hauler overview, but this is no pedestrian sport-ute. The 2021 Durango SRT’s six.four-liter Hemi V8 makes 475 horsepower and 450 pound-toes of torque, which is despatched to all 4 wheels by way of a easy-shifting 8-speed automated transmission. That is a small much less than what the engine makes in the Challenger and Charger kinds of the exact same name, but make no miscalculation, this is loads of motive pressure. Cold commences will in all probability irk the neighbors. The seem that permeates the cabin is addictive it’s ample to make you want to goose the throttle at just about every opportunity, and the seem and fury that final results only reinforces that final decision as the appropriate one particular. If, for some reason, this is not ample ability to sate your wishes, there is certainly a minimal-version 710-hp Hellcat variant, much too. But the joke’s on you, simply because that one’s presently marketed out.

With the SRT mode change set to Sport, system roll diminishes when steering and suspension stiffen, and the throttle response receives even more delicate. When I am deep in forest streets, it feels just as snug to manhandle as a likewise geared up Charger — just, you know, a small taller. You will find a Track mode, much too, but it turns off the traction handle, which in all probability is not the best plan when it’s 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the motor vehicle is putting on 295/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-time tires. It’ll also tow eight,700 pounds appropriate out of the box, which is, frankly, nuts. That is ample for some more substantial vacation trailers, a decently sized horse trailer — or, hell, one more Durango SRT.

Of course, there is certainly often a drawback — over and above the $64,490 window sticker — and in this case, it’s gasoline economy. The five,378-pound Durango SRT 392 is a thirsty fellow, reaching a paltry EPA-estimated thirteen miles for each gallon city and 19 mpg highway. If you have even a distant satisfaction of what the gasoline pedal does, and you are not frequently swapping more than to Eco mode, good luck ever achieving individuals figures. My city economy in end-stage wintertime is pushing nearer to single digits, with highway mileage pegged out all over 17ish. Even with its 24.six-gallon gasoline tank (with a theoretical max vary of about 465 miles if you in no way depart the highway), you are going to look at the Durango’s needle go in close to true time if you are not sensitive on the go-pedal.

The 2021 Dodge Durango also picks up some welcome cabin-tech updates. At its heart is the Uconnect five infotainment program, Stellantis’ newest. In addition to slick graphics and eager responses, the display (achieving up to ten.one inches on larger versions like this one particular) is loaded with features, which includes normal wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile, together with satellite radio, more than-the-air updates, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Alexa integration. Uconnect has often been a good program, and its freshest iteration only receives much better. Six USB ports are normal amongst the very first two rows, with a seventh on offer if you decide for the 2nd-row heart console upgrade.

On the protection front, matters are a small sparse to start out with: The Durango 392’s normal protection package just is composed of the federally mandated backup digicam furthermore front and rear parking sensors with automated reduced-speed unexpected emergency braking. For $495 you can increase blind-place checking and rear cross-site visitors alert, when one more $2,395 brings the relaxation of the obtainable features, which includes advanced automated unexpected emergency braking, entire-speed adaptive cruise handle and lane-departure warning.

Whilst the greater Durango spouse and children has loads of rivals, none can pretty match what the SRT brings to the desk. The Ford Explorer ST is pretty the hustler, but it only (“only”) makes four hundred hp and 415 lb-ft — then again, its starting up selling price is some $ten,000 reduce, much too. The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride absence efficiency variants, but they can pile on the type and luxurious a bit more than the Dodge does. The latest-era Jeep Grand Cherokee has its own SRT variant, but it’s only two rows, and with a more recent and way more advanced era on the horizon, I’d say it’s worthy of holding out to see how the 2021 model stacks up. If you want more room than the Durango SRT supplies, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon exist, but they don’t have avenue-efficiency-oriented versions.

The 2021 Dodge Durango, then, is in pretty a sweet place. Throwing a powerful V8 into an presently sound three-row spouse and children SUV results in a specific form of equipment that is just flat-out fun all the time, entire quit. You may love it and your little ones will love it, but your badly packed groceries now scattered all more than the trunk may have a unique belief.