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Three-Row Midsize SUV
Dodge Durango
⚠ Caution
Mixed signals, know the tradeoffs
A 15-year-old platform that still sells because it's the only three-row SUV offering a 392 Hemi and 7,000-lb towing under $60k. The current generation (2011+) has genuinely matured, owners report the 5.7 Hemi runs strong and the ZF8 transmission holds up, a stark contrast to the catastrophic engine failures that plagued pre-2011 models. The tradeoff: it guzzles premium fuel, the interior feels a decade behind, and those HVAC blend door seals turn to goo on 2011-2019 models, gluing your vents shut. Buy it if you need V8 power and towing in a family package and accept you're choosing driving fun over efficiency. Skip it if you want modern tech, fuel economy, or the peace of mind a Telluride or Highlander delivers.
The generation that matters
This product isn't one story — here's how each era is regarded.
1st–2nd generation (1998–2009)
1998–2009
Weak
Early Durangos are remembered for catastrophic failures (rods through blocks at 150k miles) and typical Chrysler quality issues. Community posts show multiple engine failures and reliability problems.
3rd generation (2011–present)
2011–2025
Solid
Current platform praised as surprisingly reliable after 15+ years of refinement. The 3.6 Pentastar and 5.7 Hemi are considered solid, handling is good, and it's valued as an affordable V8 option. Main criticisms are aging design, poor fuel economy, and cheap interior materials in non-SRT trims.
−
Common complaints7 issues−Poor fuel economy across all trims, V8 models particularly thirsty
−Interior materials and design feel dated compared to 2020s competitors
−HVAC blend door seals deteriorate and melt, causing airflow failures (2011-2019 models)
−Rear LED taillight strips prone to section burnouts
−Battery placement under passenger seat complicates replacement
−Space efficiency lags behind modern FWD-based crossovers
−Stellantis brand reputation for reliability concerns buyers despite improved current gen
✓
What owners praise8 strengths✓
Last V8-powered three-row SUV under $60k, 392 Hemi returning for 2026 at $52k base
✓
Strong towing capacity (7,000+ lbs) beats most competitors in class
✓
Engaging driving dynamics for a large SUV, handles well, genuinely fun to drive
✓
Current generation (2011+) reliability improved significantly, platform matured over 15 years
✓
Intuitive UConnect infotainment system, responsive and modern even on older units
✓
Spacious interior with genuine three-row capability, good cargo space
✓
Tight turning radius for its size (designed for police use)
✓
ZF 8-speed transmission widely regarded as excellent
📊 How this score was calculated — 6-dimension rubric
High confidence▼
629 sources analysed with long-term owner data present
629 sources analysed — strong data quality
Reliability & Durability(22%)4.0
8 positive vs 12 negative long-term reports
User Sentiment(22%)4.0
2,847 positive upvotes vs 4,238 negative upvotes
Complaint Severity(16%)7.3
Complaints: 18 cosmetic, 47 functional, 8 systematic, 2 safety
Consensus Strength(8%)2.2
Opinion is use-case dependent — product divides opinion by intended use
Value for Money(15%)5.3
19 'worth it', 7 'overpriced', 14 mention better-value alternatives
Owner Advocacy(17%)5.9
4 repurchased/gifted, 11 unprompted recommendations, 8 regrets
Scores are percentile ranks: 5.0 is the median product in existence. 8.5+ is reserved for genuinely exceptional products (top ~10%). The score reflects consensus quality, what owners say about the product. Risk is tracked separately and shown above the summary when present. Both are calculated deterministically, so the same signals always produce the same score.
Specifications2026
▼Pricing
Starting MSRP
$40,990
Range
$40,990 - $56,265
Capability
Fuel economy
15-20 MPG combined (varies by engine: V-6 19/26 mpg RWD, 5.7L V-8 14/22 mpg, 6.4L V-8 13/19 mpg, SRT Hellcat 12/17 mpg)
Drivetrain
RWD / AWD available
Dimensions & capacity
Seating
6-7 passengers
Powertrains
3.6L V-6
standard on GT
295 hp · 260 lb-ft
5.7L V-8
optional on GT
360 hp · 390 lb-ft
6.4L V-8 (392)
standard on R/T
475 hp · 470 lb-ft
6.2L Supercharged V-8
SRT Hellcat only
710 hp · 645 lb-ft
Trim pricing
GT
3.6L V-6 standard, V-8 optional
$40,990
GT HEMI V-8 Plus
V-8, AWD, 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats
—
R/T
6.4L 392 V-8 standard
—
R/T 392 First Edition
475 hp, adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes
$50,000+
SRT Hellcat
710 hp supercharged V-8, 0-60 in 3.4 seconds
$56,265
🏆
How it ranks in Three-Row Midsize SUV
3 products compared
1
Chevrolet Traverse
5.8/10
⚠ Caution
2
Dodge Durango you are here
5.4/10
⚠ Caution
3
Ford Explorer
4.7/10
✕ Skip
If you're buying
Know what others paid before you walk in.