Car recommendation
the pentastar is quite peppy and fairly smooth, but not that quiet, imo. i had it in my 2015 jeep grand cherokee. by the way, one reason i got rid of the jgc is because the 2nd row didn't have enough leg room. the durango is the same layout/platform, with equally small 2nd row, just with an extended back area. it's a pretty great vehicle though if you don't need the latest platform/tech.
the durango chassis design is ancient (based off a mercedes platform when they owned chrysler/jeep). however, it's solid as a tank and reliable.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
So today I took a Dodge Durango for a test drive. It was surprisingly good. Using a 2018 Highlander (my daily driver) as reference:
- Comfort: winner: Durango. The seats are 2" wider and longer, providing much better support for the knees. They are not as soft as traditional American cars.
- Ride: winner: Durango. Softer ride without being "wobbly". Front double wishbone suspension has longer travel than struts, absorbing bumps much better than the Highlander.
- Noise: winner: Durango. It's amazingly quiet. No engine, tire or wind noise.
- Handling: winner: Durango. The steering is surprisingly precise and responsive considering the size of vehicle. And it provides much better feedback than the Highlander which steering is completely numb. Cornering is also pretty good thanks to rear wheel drive.
- Towing: winner: Durango. 6200 lb (vs 5000 lb), factory installed 7-pin connector and brake controller.
- Mileage: winner: Highlander. My HL consistently deliver 21-22 mpg in the city. Durango official number is 18 mpg city, so I doubt is would ever match the HL.
- Powertrain: tie. The HL feels a bit faster, but the Durango is super smooth. Durango 8-speed transmission shifts much better than the HL, you almost can't feel when it shift gears, and it keep the engine at very relaxed rpms.
- Interior: welcome back to the 90s. Yes, it does look antiquated. But it also seems high quality, with soft surfaces everywhere and very good fit-and-finish. Older-looking than the even 2018 HL, but higher quality.
Overall I am very impressed by the Durango. Consumer Reports also gives it high marks, and I can understand why. I think it is one of the most underrated SUVs.
- Comfort: winner: Durango. The seats are 2" wider and longer, providing much better support for the knees. They are not as soft as traditional American cars.
- Ride: winner: Durango. Softer ride without being "wobbly". Front double wishbone suspension has longer travel than struts, absorbing bumps much better than the Highlander.
- Noise: winner: Durango. It's amazingly quiet. No engine, tire or wind noise.
- Handling: winner: Durango. The steering is surprisingly precise and responsive considering the size of vehicle. And it provides much better feedback than the Highlander which steering is completely numb. Cornering is also pretty good thanks to rear wheel drive.
- Towing: winner: Durango. 6200 lb (vs 5000 lb), factory installed 7-pin connector and brake controller.
- Mileage: winner: Highlander. My HL consistently deliver 21-22 mpg in the city. Durango official number is 18 mpg city, so I doubt is would ever match the HL.
- Powertrain: tie. The HL feels a bit faster, but the Durango is super smooth. Durango 8-speed transmission shifts much better than the HL, you almost can't feel when it shift gears, and it keep the engine at very relaxed rpms.
- Interior: welcome back to the 90s. Yes, it does look antiquated. But it also seems high quality, with soft surfaces everywhere and very good fit-and-finish. Older-looking than the even 2018 HL, but higher quality.
Overall I am very impressed by the Durango. Consumer Reports also gives it high marks, and I can understand why. I think it is one of the most underrated SUVs.
We did test drive a GX a couple of months ago. I found the Durango to have nicer, more comfortable ride and to be equally quiet. Of course the GX has a much nicer interior but it's not worth paying 50% more than Durango's price. As for reliability, I can buy a 10 year, 120k miles bumper-to-bumper extended warranty from Mopar for $3k.
Anybody who thinks a Hemi Durango is a sissy vehicle needs their head examined lol
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 17,798
Likes: 1,680
From: Ohio
You should consider a real SUV over these sissy crossovers pretending to be an SUV. The GX is a pretty neat option. Very, very smooth and dead-reliable V8, big towing capacity, lots of room inside, and of course you get the Lexus comfort and quietness along with all the goodies.
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