A Familiar Name With Some Fresh Stylings: 2014 Dodge Durango

The 2014 Dodge Durango is a more athletic and slim looking full sized SUV than some of its counterparts like the Chevy Tahoe, offering amazing capability to enjoy the ride on and off the road. With a massive towing capacity and a variety of available engines the Durango can compete across the spectrum of SUV classes by out-towing the V6’s and out-perform many of the V8’s when equipped with the big Hemi engine.

Offering a fully-upgraded front end and taillight designs the Durango has a nice facelift for 2014 to give it a look that differs from previous models. In addition to these upgrades is an eight-speed automatic transmission that helps to increase fuel economy ratings as well as an enhanced infotainment system.

The drive in a Durango is powerful and smooth offering no signs of sluggishness at all. The suspension soaks up the road like a champ and when hauling cargo the difference is negligible in the ride. The steering does leave a little to be desired, but is an expected feeling for a large SUV. Pensacola Dodge Dealers tell us that when powered by the Hemi V8 this beast even growls in an approving manner under the hood, letting all around know if its sheer power. The cabin offers a substantially quieter ride than competition allowing the inhabitants to enjoy their music rather than road noises and the brakes are capable and powerful ensuring the SUV stops quickly when needed.

In the power department, the engine, the starting point offers a nicely capable 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that brings in 290 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. When partnered with the eight-speed automatic transmission this power pairing offers a fuel economy of 18 city/25 hwy mpg for the rear-wheel drive version (RWD) and 17 city/24 hwy mpg for the all-wheel drive (AWD) models. This powerful V6 is capable of hauling up to 6,200 pounds easily, making it the best towing V6 in the SUV class.

Next up is the massive 5.7-liter Hemi V8 which offers a strong 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. When paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission this power train offers 14 city/23 hwy mpg for the RWD models and 14 city/22 hwy mpg for the AWD. Capable of towing up to 7,400 pounds easily, this engine also has a fuel saver mode which shuts down four cylinders when they are not needed.

Once inside the Durango style and quality are plentiful giving a luxury-like feeling to the vehicle with premium materials and excellent comfort. Offering 28 different configurations for the interior, the Durango offers any owner the choice to make a Durango that is unique and reflective of their own personality. Whether its second row captain’s chairs, heated seats, leather throughout, or a full length flat cargo floor, the Durango has a long list of optional set ups for the interior. By offering classy elegance inside, any owner might feel they have gotten a steal in the Durango when they step in for the drive.

With a redesigned front face the SUV shows a well-appointed set of LED lights under the headlights that are set as daytime running lights making the vehicle visible to others on the road.   With three grill options the vehicle can offer an interesting look that distinguishes it from other Durangos on the road. With a big and bold look as well as nice long lines along the sides the vehicle appears to be the king of the road while still being sleek enough to attract a large crowd. The wheels can add one more unique flavor to the SUV by offering seven designs, nine colors, and sizes from 18 to 20 inches the Durango any owner chooses can truly be their own.

Even a base model Durango SXT offers a good list of standard equipment including a Uconnect infotainment system, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lights, heated power side mirrors, tri-zone automatic climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, an audio system including Sirius Satellite Radio and an auxiliary port. At the top end the Citadel model adds 20-inch wheels, a power lift gate, a power sunroof, an 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment screen, HID headlights, Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, Rear Cross Path Detection, a heated power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and keyless start all standard.

With such a long list of standard features, but a major disparity between the base model and the top of the line, the optional features become very interesting. Options are trim level based and include a navigation system with an 8.4-inch touch screen, configurable instruments, a power sunroof, a rearview camera, rear parking assistance, blind spot monitoring, auto dimming high beam headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, an Alpine premium audio system, heated second row seating, a power lift gate, rain sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel and skid plates. If the Trailer Tow Group IV is chosen a 220-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine oil cooler, Class IV hitch receiver and load leveling rear shocks are all added, and if the Rallye Appearance Group is the selection 20-inch polished wheels, black bezel headlights, and body colored trim are all added. All of this makes for one really great SUV that can be configured to fit any owner.

At the base SXT model the Durango fetches a price of $30,790 for the RWD model and $33,190 for AWD. Adding the Rallye package sets the price up to $33,985 while the Limited starts at $36,990. A V8 powered R/T will bring in a starting price of $39,990 and at the top end the Citadel starts at $41,990 with a fully loaded price that reaches close to $50,000. Overall, for the vehicle’s power, ability, and functionality this is a great SUV for the price range.   The Durango is certainly an SUV to consider for just about any need any shopper could have, and will readily perform all tasks it asked to undertake and come back asking for more.