by Aiden Eksteen
There may be an ongoing electric vehicle revolution right now in the USA, and while the intentions behind the EV uprising may be righteous and for the greater good of mankind, there are still some of us steadfast internal combustion engine objectophiles, gearheads, and petrol addicts that won't be leaving our passions behind any time soon. This is why we still have over-the-top cars like the 2021 Dodge Durango - a Herculean midsized three-row SUV that can be had with either a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 or a fierce 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Though it may be quite outmoded and inefficient, it's the Durango SUV's brawny bearing, vocal powertrain, and classical platform that have it stand out from its core competitors like theKia Telluride,Honda Pilot, andAcura MDX. Along with strapping performance, the Durango also offers a refined ride quality and comes standard with oodles of features. Though there are many of us that can appreciate the Durango for what it is as one of the oldest vehicles in the market, it is starting to feel quite behind the times in many regards.
For 2021, the new Dodge Durango has updated, more aggressive exterior styling, including new headlights and an all-new grille design. The updated interior is now angled towards the driver, while a 10.1-inch touchscreen is also available. The upgraded Uconnect 5 infotainment system is said to be five times faster than the system used before.
The R/T AWD model can be equipped with a Tow N Go Package, which increases the towing capacity, top speed, and enhances the exhaust noise. It's an affordable way to get a brash Durango without opting for the seriously high-performance versions: we review the Dodge Durango SRT and SRT Hellcat separately.
Among the many other changes are new spoilers for every trim, new wheel designs, some new interior materials and colors, and a repackaged Citadel luxury trim.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
SXT |
3.6L V6 Gas |
8-Speed Automatic |
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive |
$33,877 |
SXT Plus |
3.6L V6 Gas |
8-Speed Automatic |
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive |
$33,877 |
GT |
3.6L V6 Gas |
8-Speed Automatic |
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive |
$37,577 |
GT Plus |
3.6L V6 Gas |
8-Speed Automatic |
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive |
$37,577 |
R/T |
5.7L V8 Gas |
8-Speed Automatic |
Rear-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive |
$47,227 |
Apart from being a cool-looking, powerful, and commodious seven-seater 5-door SUV, the Durango is also one of the very few that are still proffered with a V8 gas engine, as V6 or small-capacity turbocharged units become the norm. That said, even the majority of the lineup, which feature a 6-cylinder motor as standard, still offer strong acceleration and mighty towing capabilities. Unfortunately, both the V6 and V8 units are outmoded. Competitors tend to deliver the same level of power but with superior efficiency. Nevertheless, the Dodge SUV is a king-sized cruiser boasting badass looks, a modern and commodious cabin, and plenty of practicality. The 2021 Dodge Durango also underwent review by both the NHTSA and the IIHS and earned itself a decent safety rating to match its good reliability standards. The 2021 MY Durango still forms part of the third-generation Durango that was introduced for the 2011 model year and its age has certainly caught up with it. While the idea of a V8-powered SUV is cool, we'd suggest holding off to see if Dodge will release an all-new generation soon.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Dodge Durango: