Vroom to Roam
While many sport utility vehicle manufacturers aspire to build trucks that drive like cars, Chrysler Group's redesign of the
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Despite how big it looks from the inside and out, the 2004 Dodge Durango drives like a much smaller SUV. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
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,
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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) |
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.