2004 Dodge Durango SLT Road Test

Adjoining the instrument cluster, which resides beneath a single large arc in the dash, is a very symmetrical center stack

I was particularly pleased with how functional and intuitive the HVAC system is to operate. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

housing two air-vents, plus audio and air conditioning controls. I was particularly pleased with how functional and intuitive the HVAC (heating/ventilation/air-conditioning) system is to operate. A small slider adjusts the temperature while two rotary knobs control the fan speed and airflow direction. A matching third knob activates a fan, which feeds air through the four roof ducts situated above hot headed, second and third row passengers. A further setting on this dial switches the administration of the rear air and heat to rear seat passengers via two controls located on the backside of the center console - a feature definitely appreciated by my nine-year old while occupying a second-row seat.

He also appreciated the comfort of his 40/20/40-split second-row bench seat. Dodge has worked some magic into the functionality of both rear rows actually, with each side of the second-row bench's 40 percent seatbacks folding and tumbling forward at the pull of a single lever, enabling unimpeded access to the bench in the back. This process can easily be undertaken by a third-row passenger, without the aid of an outside assistant to deal with blockage of the

Both rows of rear seats can be folded down to create a commodious cargo area. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

second-row. The third-row seating position provides decent headroom but completely lacks thigh support and foot-well depth, making long journeys less appealing to adult sized passengers. When not in use, the third-row seat can be neatly stowed, creating a commodious cargo area with a flat floor. Our supplies for the week, which ought to have outfitted a small army, consumed only a fraction of the available space behind the second-row bench.

With supplies packed safely into the Durango's cargo area and its 4.7-liters of V8 power fired up, wheels were set in motion. A road trip is arguably the best method of testing a vehicle, short of anything long-term such as ownership. During our adventure the Durango saw everything from 4-lane pancake flat freeways to rock-strewn undulating logging roads, and in doing so met each challenge with confidence.