Pros: Overall road manners and maneuverability are superior to most large SUVs; V6 engine delivers good highway fuel economy for a vehicle of this size and heft; comfortable, nicely finished cabin
Cons: Not quite as spacious as other large SUVs; thirsty in city driving, especially with available Hemi V8
CG Says: Durango sees some significant changes for 2014. All models get an 8-speed automatic transmission. It uses a rotary shifter that’s mounted on the console and includes steering wheel paddle shifters. Exterior styling has been massaged with new front and rear fascias, projector-beam headlamps, and wraparound LED taillights. Inside, there’s a redesigned instrument panel and new center-mounted touchscreens in two different sizes. The instrument cluster receives a 7-inch color thin-film transistor (TFT) display that allows the driver to customize how vehicle information is viewed. There are new Rallye and Limited trim levels too. The Dodge Durango has something for just about every type of large-SUV shopper. The base SXT has a lot of features for the money, while Limited and Citadel add worthwhile luxury and convenience items. We’re not especially high on the sporty R/T, but we can see its appeal for those who crave brawny style and maximum performance. And, the new Rallye brings the V8-powered R/T’s sporty looks to a more affordable V6 model.