There are some vehicle names you hear that will instantly ring a bell. This type of recognition usually comes from a vehicle that’s been around for decades. An example that we believe may ring true for many is the Dodge Durango. The Durango, a vehicle that’s been on the market since 1998 (minus a brief hiatus for 2010), is a nameplate that continues to bring back fun memories for many. Others who may be looking for their first experience with a Dodge Durango are also in for a treat with the release of the 2024 model. However, there are some things about the 2024 Durango you should know before visiting Lincoln Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, your local Dodge dealer, and that’s what we’re here to tell you about today. Ready to learn more about your next car? So are we; let’s begin!
As Power Hungry or Fuel-Efficient As You Want
One thing about the Dodge Durango that separates it from many other vehicles—especially other three-row SUVs—is the sheer number of available powertrains. Ultimately, there are four powertrains for the Dodge Durango, but the engine you get is heavily reliant on which trim you choose. This is because the Durango comes in many flavors, ranging from its base SXT trim all the way up to the best-of-the-best SRT Hellcat Premium. Between the SXT and SRT Hellcat Premium are a wide range of trims, including the GT, R/T, and the SRT 392, all of which are available in Plus and Premium variants.
Depending on the exact trim, the 2024 Durango will either come with a 3.6L V6 engine or one of three possible HEMI V8 engines. However, no matter which engine is under the hood of your Durango, it comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. We’ll talk more about the V8 engines in a moment because the performance of the Durango takes a sizable leap once you move up from the base engine. As for the base V6 engine, this allows the entry-level Durango to tow up to 6,200 lbs thanks to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is available for better traction on slippery surfaces. EPA-estimated fuel efficiency for the 3.6L V6 engine is up to 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.
Now let’s start talking about those V8 engines. The first of the three HEMI options is a 5.7L V8 engine, which increases the Durango’s towing capacity to 8,700 lbs—a 40% increase over what the V6 engine can deliver. The horsepower and torque output also get a sizable increase, with this engine delivering 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Like the V6 engine, this one comes with rear-wheel drive standard and can be upgraded to all-wheel drive—the remaining powertrains we’ll talk about today only come with all-wheel drive. But first, how does the V8 engine with the lowest displacement fare when it comes to fuel efficiency? It’s a bit lower than the standard V6, coming in at 14 MPG in the city and 22 MPG combined.
Next up, what happens if you increase the displacement of the V8 engine from 5.7L to 6.4L? The available 6.4L HEMI V8 engine sees a large performance boost over the previous V8 engine, with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque—that’s a 32% increase in horsepower and a 21% increase in torque. However, given the sizable performance improvements and standard all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency takes an expected nose dive. With this engine, the 2024 Dodge Durango is rated for an EPA-estimated 13 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway.
The Best of the Best, Only for the Best
The grand finale of the Durango’s powertrains is the 6.2L Hellcat supercharged V8 engine. Given the name of the engine, you’d be right in guessing this engine is only available for the SRT Hellcat trims. To say you get what you pay for here would be an understatement. When you think of performance, you’re likely thinking about hundreds and hundreds of horsepower and immense torque output, and that’s exactly how we’d describe the powertrain that comes with the SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Plus, and SRT Hellcat Premium.
With an incredible 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, to say you’ll feel the power beneath your foot in the SRT Hellcat trims would be a severe understatement. In order to better put this performance into perspective, comparing the 6.2L Hellcat supercharged V8 engine to the base 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine reveals it has 141% more horsepower and 148% more torque. With this type of power, you can’t expect class-leading fuel efficiency, but it’ll get you by with an EPA-estimated 12 MPG in the city and 17 MPG on the highway.
Keeping Yourself With the Times
The Dodge Durango has been around for a long time, and only once was the model shelved for an eventual resurgence a year later. The Durango as we know it now is a little smaller than its previous incarnation, but it’s still a large vehicle designed to keep everyone onboard comfortable and connected. The Durango is much like Dodge’s other offerings in that it keeps up-to-date with modern tech features drivers are looking for. The 2024 Durango comes standard with an 8.4-inch infotainment center, and there is an even larger 10.1-inch touchscreen available on the higher trims.
Both infotainment centers come with the latest Uconnect 5 software, which will give you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, helping to keep the 2024 Durango relevant with the times and ready for future updates. One of the best features of the Uconnect 5 system is that it allows you to save up to five individual driver profiles, so you always have all your preferences at hand, even if you share your Durango with other family members. On the performance-oriented SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat trims, you also get Performance and SRT Pages for the infotainment system. These display critical vehicle information like temperatures and pressures so you can extract maximum performance from the vehicle.
The Durango Is a Certified Beast
From every perspective, the Durango is a machine that’s ready for prime time, and the 2024 model does an exemplary job of keeping Durango fans happy. Dodge’s lineup is rather restricted going into the 2024 model year, with the Durango and Hornet carrying the brand after Dodge closed the book on the Charger and Challenger while it revamps its muscle car lineup for a new generation.
However, the Durango is more than capable of shouldering this weighty responsibility. With the likes of the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat trims for the daredevils amongst you, to more simplified yet still elegant and performant trims like the SXT and Citadel, the Durango is a certified beast in both power and value. If you are interested in seeing this rugged three-row SUV for yourself and perhaps taking it for a test drive to feel its power, then come visit us at Lincoln Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. We can’t wait to show you what this classic Dodge SUV can do for modern drivers.
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