The 2016 Dodge Durango was designed and built with space, comfort and power in mind. Combine this with the vehicle’s third row seating and improved ride and handling, and it’s understandable why Dodge chooses to describe the Durango as a crossover. The versatile 2016 Durango is equipped with a myriad of useful features, and the interior and exterior have come a long way from what was once considered a truck-based SUV.
Engine and Drive
The 2016 Dodge Durango is constantly being compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, an SUV which has also recently received many awards and praises. Both vehicles include a new, innovative 8-speed automatic transmission which vastly enhances performances and fuel economies. The 2016 Dodge Durango offers a choice of two hefty engines, neither suffering from a lack of power! The base model includes the 3.6L Pentastar V6 outputting 295hp, or upgrade to the 5.7L HEMI V8 churning out 360hp.
Add the tow package to give the 2016 Durango the best in class towing capacity of 6,200 lbs for the base V6 engine (7,200 lbs for the V8), which is over 1,200 lbs higher than the next closest competition which includes the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2016 Honda Pilot.
The smooth and calm handling of the 2016 Dodge Durango was a pleasant surprise as I expected a more rugged truck-like feel. For a full sized SUV it has a quiet, pleasant and soft ride despite sitting so high up. Turning is precise and true and all-wheel drive comes standard allowing for confident driving regardless of conditions. As expected, Dodge has ensured the 2016 Durango has not lost its durability and solidity on rugged terrain, despite upping its grandeur.
Fuel economy could use improvement, but that is to be expected from a high powered large SUV. The posted stats for the V6 of 9.5 L/100km on the highway and 12.8 L/100km in the city are slightly better than the real world figures we experienced. Stop/start technology comes standard in an effort to improve fuel economy. However, those who aren’t used to this feature may get annoyed by the jerky starts from a stopped position, particularly during rush hour stop and go traffic. I will say that out of all the other vehicles I’ve tested with this feature, the 2016 Durango does have the smoothest transition from a stopped position. In any case, this feature can be turned off if you can’t live with it.
Interior and Exterior
There aren’t many remnants inside the 2016 Dodge Durango from the rugged, truck-like SUV it once was. Space is maximized with ample leg-room on all three rows, the interior adorns passengers with high-quality double stitched leather, and pleasing LED ambient lighting at night.
The exterior of the 2016 Durango is even more impressive, displaying a muscular and defined build with a sleeker appearance than the previous tough and bulky look. Many options and packages are available to ensure no two Durangos are the same! Four new colours, multiple wheel finishes and a few color highlighting packages to choose from.
Make the bold exterior standout even more with the Blacktop, Brass Monkey or Platinum package which transforms the exterior into a meaner more sporty design by highlighting various features like the exhaust, side mirrors, badging, grille and wheels. Our test vehicle was equipped with the Blacktop package.
Final Thoughts
Dodge have embraced the modern buyer and have made the bold decision to turn the 2016 Durango into a more modern and versatile SUV, but have managed to keep the rugged performance from its original design. The 2016 Dodge Durango is now not only an SUV that can conquer all terrains and boast top of its class towing capacity, but also an SUV that’s versatile and perfectly suited for families desiring comfort, style and composure on the road.
