The new Durango is the disappointment of the group. Having recently returned from a one-year absence where it gained a new body, a better and more efficient drivetrain as well as a totally revised interior, our expectations were very high. In fact, in a regular week-long test, we actually quite liked the Durango. In this comparative test, though, not so much.
First, the good stuff. The Dodge’s tough-guy looks were appreciated by most, as was the new user-friendly dashboard. The ergonomics and simple layout garnered positive comments throughout the day. Other than the fussy Garmin-made navigation system, overall, the Durango's user-friendliness impresses. Kudos, as well, to interior comfort. Where it's concerned, the Durango excelled with comfy seats and very accessible ingress and egress, even all the way to the third row.
On the road, in normal situations, the Dodge is composed, relaxed and ultra-quiet. The electrically assisted steering offers up the right amount of speed-dependant aid, and the brake pedal provides good feel and feedback. In a typical urban environment, the Durango was more agile and nimble than expected.
Where the Durango fell apart was on uneven surfaces. The ride becomes lively, poorly controlled and downright scary where the rear-end ends up bouncing side to side. When loaded, the Durango had the rear-most passengers wishing for an early end to the test. The other nail in the Dodge’s coffin is its lack of go. The 290-hp, 3.6L Pentastar V6 may have best-in-class horsepower but it, combined with the lazy 5-speed autobox and near 5,000-lb (2,262-kg) curb weight, has far too much working against it to make effective use of the available power.
Despite the Durango's considerable avoir-du-poids, it managed fairly decent fuel economy numbers; third best overall. The Dodge's standing does not adequately represent its overall appreciation by some of the testers. A pair of them enjoyed the overall package, but its important shortcomings are what ultimately hurt it.
Read more on the 7-seater SUV comparison test:
2011 7-passenger SUV comparison test
Nissan Pathfinder LE review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Honda Pilot Touring review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Sport review – 2011 SUV comparison test
GMC Acadia Denali review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Ford Explorer XLT V6 4WD review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Mazda CX-9 GT review – 2011 SUV comparison test
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com |
First, the good stuff. The Dodge’s tough-guy looks were appreciated by most, as was the new user-friendly dashboard. The ergonomics and simple layout garnered positive comments throughout the day. Other than the fussy Garmin-made navigation system, overall, the Durango's user-friendliness impresses. Kudos, as well, to interior comfort. Where it's concerned, the Durango excelled with comfy seats and very accessible ingress and egress, even all the way to the third row.
On the road, in normal situations, the Dodge is composed, relaxed and ultra-quiet. The electrically assisted steering offers up the right amount of speed-dependant aid, and the brake pedal provides good feel and feedback. In a typical urban environment, the Durango was more agile and nimble than expected.
Where the Durango fell apart was on uneven surfaces. The ride becomes lively, poorly controlled and downright scary where the rear-end ends up bouncing side to side. When loaded, the Durango had the rear-most passengers wishing for an early end to the test. The other nail in the Dodge’s coffin is its lack of go. The 290-hp, 3.6L Pentastar V6 may have best-in-class horsepower but it, combined with the lazy 5-speed autobox and near 5,000-lb (2,262-kg) curb weight, has far too much working against it to make effective use of the available power.
Despite the Durango's considerable avoir-du-poids, it managed fairly decent fuel economy numbers; third best overall. The Dodge's standing does not adequately represent its overall appreciation by some of the testers. A pair of them enjoyed the overall package, but its important shortcomings are what ultimately hurt it.
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com |
Read more on the 7-seater SUV comparison test:
2011 7-passenger SUV comparison test
Nissan Pathfinder LE review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Honda Pilot Touring review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Sport review – 2011 SUV comparison test
GMC Acadia Denali review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Ford Explorer XLT V6 4WD review – 2011 SUV comparison test
Mazda CX-9 GT review – 2011 SUV comparison test
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