Did a trip to Alaska for Memorial Day, got this as a rental from National. First person to rent it, had 12 miles on it when I picked it up (returned with just over 600). Reserved an Explorer...supposedly this is an upgrade for having executive status with National. Didn't have a chance to take a ton of pics of it, but they've only made them since 2011, so I think most people know them lol. Updated interior in 21 and then 24 or 25+ have the new Uconnect.
Specs: GT trim, AWD, 3.6/8speed ZF. Looks like it stickered for $42k according to dodge's site.
Drivetrain: I like the 3.6 and 8 speed combo, same as my JLU Wrangler. Averaged about 24 MPG. It's interesting though, it didn't feel as peppy as my Wrangler, even with that having 35s. I'd assume the Durango weighs a bit more, and maybe this one ended to break in more, but it didn't have the same snap my Wrangler has. Definitely has less engine/exhaust noise than the wrangler - I missed that actually, I love the snarl of the 3.6. More on noise later. Never got to use the AWD...seems like it's the same unit as a WK/WK2 (maybe WL?) with Quadra Trac I has. My WK had it and was great anywhere you didn't need low range.
Driving: Tight and responsive steering, takes turns well. Great turn radius. Ride quality is good, pretty average. The worst part is the horrible road noise from the tires. Some type of Bridgestone, sounded like it had some badly feathered old all terrains on it. All my way more aggressive all terrains I have on stuff is way quieter.
Interior: Ergonomic, and Uconnect works great. Sits pretty low, feels more crossover like than a WK2 Grand Cherokee. Seats aren't great, I've long held the belief that cloth seat Mopars have worse seats than the leather ones, in terms of support and construction/comfort, surface material aside and these affirmed that for me. Very roomy and good visibility.
Exterior: The Dodge thing is either your cup of tea or not. I prefer the WK2s or WLs, and felt like this gen Durango looked too crossover and soft compared to the previous ones. You can tell the tooling isn't as sharp 14 years later.
Overall: It's a nice enough vehicle but I don't know who is buying these besides rental fleets. For $42k new, you could easily get a similarly equipped WL with a third row, or a super nice one slightly used, and that'd have even more features plus being on the newer platform (and greater off road capability, I'm not sure if you can get these with tow hooks/skid plates even with an RT with low range and the Hemi). I get back when the Grand Cherokee was 2 row only that these had a niche, but now, I'm not sure.
Specs: GT trim, AWD, 3.6/8speed ZF. Looks like it stickered for $42k according to dodge's site.
Drivetrain: I like the 3.6 and 8 speed combo, same as my JLU Wrangler. Averaged about 24 MPG. It's interesting though, it didn't feel as peppy as my Wrangler, even with that having 35s. I'd assume the Durango weighs a bit more, and maybe this one ended to break in more, but it didn't have the same snap my Wrangler has. Definitely has less engine/exhaust noise than the wrangler - I missed that actually, I love the snarl of the 3.6. More on noise later. Never got to use the AWD...seems like it's the same unit as a WK/WK2 (maybe WL?) with Quadra Trac I has. My WK had it and was great anywhere you didn't need low range.
Driving: Tight and responsive steering, takes turns well. Great turn radius. Ride quality is good, pretty average. The worst part is the horrible road noise from the tires. Some type of Bridgestone, sounded like it had some badly feathered old all terrains on it. All my way more aggressive all terrains I have on stuff is way quieter.
Interior: Ergonomic, and Uconnect works great. Sits pretty low, feels more crossover like than a WK2 Grand Cherokee. Seats aren't great, I've long held the belief that cloth seat Mopars have worse seats than the leather ones, in terms of support and construction/comfort, surface material aside and these affirmed that for me. Very roomy and good visibility.
Exterior: The Dodge thing is either your cup of tea or not. I prefer the WK2s or WLs, and felt like this gen Durango looked too crossover and soft compared to the previous ones. You can tell the tooling isn't as sharp 14 years later.
Overall: It's a nice enough vehicle but I don't know who is buying these besides rental fleets. For $42k new, you could easily get a similarly equipped WL with a third row, or a super nice one slightly used, and that'd have even more features plus being on the newer platform (and greater off road capability, I'm not sure if you can get these with tow hooks/skid plates even with an RT with low range and the Hemi). I get back when the Grand Cherokee was 2 row only that these had a niche, but now, I'm not sure.
