2004 Dodge Durango Road Test

Vroom to Roam

While many sport utility vehicle manufacturers aspire to build trucks that drive like cars, Chrysler Group's redesign of the

Despite how big it looks from the inside and out, the 2004 Dodge Durango drives like a much smaller SUV. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

2004 Dodge Durango set out to produce a vehicle with the cargo capacity of a full-size SUV and the handling characteristics of a midsize SUV.

After a week of driving the all-new Durango, I'd offer they've done just that. I couldn't help but think how large it looks from the outside -- and in fact from the inside -- yet its solid and sure driving characteristics belie the behemoth's girth. It actually felt like a midsize SUV.

The designers and engineers also claim to have improved the new Durango's fuel economy over the previous version across the board, which I suppose they have in a sense. While the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI still gobbles the gas,

My tester came equipped with the optional OHV HEMI engine that puts out a total of 335 horsepower 370 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

particularly with a full load, it's a far cry more sophisticated than the top-level 5.9-liter lump it replaces.

The 2004 Durango is available with two engines, which include a 4.7-liter SOHC V8 that produces 230 horses at 4,700 rpm and 290 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm, and if more power is still needed the aforementioned OHV HEMI that puts out a total of 335 horsepower at 3,200 rpm and 370 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. My tester came with the latter, and as you'd expect it had little trouble getting the heavy SUV over hill and dale. One memorable drive up a local incline dubbed "The Cut" reminded me of taking a HEMI-equipped muscle car for a tear a few years back.