Citadel 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
Overall Rating
(1 reviews)Most dependable SUV
Keely hegler • Feb 10, 2024
3.5My Overall Ireview for my dodge Durango 2005 I love my Durango. It is very dependable., sporty, kids scape, crash rate are also good. Gas mileage is decent, definitely for a v8. And newer models are even better with that and more...Read More
SXT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
Pursuit 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
R/T AWD
Pursuit 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Pursuit 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
SXT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
Overall Rating
Standard on the 2020 Durango is a humble 3.6-liter V6 engine that comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The other engine options feature a 5.7-liter V8, and an all the more powerful 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that makes 475 hp and 470 lb.-ft. torque.
When you ask a guy who loves doing burnouts in the parking lot to design a car for the everyday soccer mommies and daddies, what you get is this, the 2020 Dodge Durango. This big, three-row SUV from Dodge can easily run over other minivans that get in its way. It’s powerful, loud and has several powertrain options unlike most SUVs in this segment.
Of all the several trims of the 2020 Dodge Durango, the Citadel appears as the most promising. It offers a lot of premium upgrades and combines them with the efficiency of the base 3.6-liter powertrain. There are several additional features that can be added on to the Citadel too. It does miss out on the kind of performance that the R/T and SRT trims have to offer, but all that performance comes at a big cost. Overall, the Citadel offers the best value for money considering the kind of power that it makes and the practicality it offers.
R/T RWD
Citadel 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
GT 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
GT 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
R/T 4dr SUV AWD (5.7L 8cyl 8A)
Keely hegler
2020 Dodge Durango
••3.5Posted On: February 10, 2024
Dependable, Horse power
Gas mileage, Suspension
My Overall Ireview for my dodge Durango 2005 I love my Durango. It is very dependable., sporty, kids scape, crash rate are also good. Gas mileage is decent, definitely for a v8. And newer models are even better with that and more
Standard on the 2020 Durango is a humble 3.6-liter V6 engine that comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The other engine options feature a 5.7-liter V8, and an all the more powerful 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that makes 475 hp and 470 lb.-ft. torque.
When you ask a guy who loves doing burnouts in the parking lot to design a car for the everyday soccer mommies and daddies, what you get is this, the 2020 Dodge Durango. This big, three-row SUV from Dodge can easily run over other minivans that get in its way. It’s powerful, loud and has several powertrain options unlike most SUVs in this segment.
The three-row SUV from Dodge, the 2020 Dodge Durango, has five different trim levels. There’s the SXT, followed by SXT Plus, then GT, GT Plus, Citadel and finally Citadel Anodized Platinum. The many variants of the Durango have as many characteristics and each of them brings something special to the table. The GT variant with its styling cues borrowed from the R/T and SRT cousins, looks a lot more aggressive than the base SXT. The Citadel takes luxury standards to a whole new level with its 8.4-inch touchscreen as opposed to the formers’ 7-inch touchscreen.
|
Trim |
SXT |
SXT Plus |
GT |
GT Plus |
Citadel |
Citadel Anodized Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (RWD) |
$30,495 |
$34,690 |
$34,895 |
$39,245 |
$42,995 |
$46,270 |
|
MSRP (AWD) |
$33,095 |
$37,290 |
$37,495 |
$41,845 |
$45,595 |
$52,865 |
| Key Features | Electric Steering wheel | Adds/Upgrades to SXT | Adds/Upgrades to SXT Plus | Adds/Upgrades to GT | Adds/Upgrades to GT Plus | Adds/Upgrades to Citadel |
|
|
Acoustic windshield |
Eco Suspension 3 |
Rear load leveling suspension |
Rain brake support |
Sport mode |
Rear air conditioning with heater |
|
UConnect |
Exterior mirror with heating |
GT badge |
Auto headlamps |
HID headlamps |
Auto dimming rearview mirror |
|
| 7-inch touchscreen |
SiriusXM |
Apple CarPlay |
Android Auto |
Nappa leather upholstery |
Sunroof |
|
|
|
18-inch aluminum wheels |
Alpine 6-speaker sound system |
20-inch satin carbon wheels |
Alpine 9-speaker sound system |
20-inch chrome aluminum wheels |
Trim we recommend
The Citadel trim of the 2020 Dodge Durango appears as the most promising. It offers a lot of premium upgrades and combines them with the efficiency of the base 3.6-liter powertrain. There are several additional features that can be added on to the Citadel too. Overall, the Citadel offers the best value for money considering the kind of power that it makes and the practicality it offers.
The 2020 Dodge Durango might be a three-row SUV, but it is a Dodge nonetheless. So the Durango lets you play along with more than one engine option. To start things up, there’s the base 3.6-liter V6 engine. This engine makes 295 hp and 260 lb.-ft. torque. The SXT, GT and Citadel variants come equipped with this humble powertrain.
Kicking things up a notch is the second most powerful engine option for the 2020 Durango. For the R/T trim, Dodge lets you get away with a bigger 5.7-liter V8 that makes 360 hp and 390 lb.ft. torque. Eventually, there’s an even more powerful 6.4-liter V8 exclusively for the SRT variant. The 6.4-liter V8 churns 475 hp and 470 lb.-ft. torque.
The other thing that separates the SRT from the rest of Durango lineup is its no-option rear-wheel drive system. While other trims let you choose from an all-wheel and rear-wheel drive unit, the SRT comes standard with a rear-wheel drivetrain that has no substitute. But standard across the range is an eight-speed automatic transmission, and there’s no choice of a manual unit either.
|
Models |
Dodge Durango |
Honda Pilot |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$30,495 |
$31,550 |
$31,550 |
$31,690 |
|
Engine |
3.6L Regular V6 |
3.5L Regular V6 |
3.8L Regular V6 |
3.8L Regular V6 |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual |
6-speed automatic w/OD |
8-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual |
8-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual |
|
Power |
295hp@6,400rpm |
280hp@6,000rpm |
291hp@6,000rpm |
291hp@6,000rpm |
|
Torque |
260lb-ft @ 4,000rpm |
262lb-ft @4,700rpm |
262lb-ft @5,200rpm |
262lb-ft @5,200rpm |
All other three-row SUVs in this comparo get equally capable engines, but none make quite as much power the one the Durango. The Honda Pilot with its 280 hp 3.5-liter V6 appears to be the least capable on charts.
The 2020 Dodge Durango features an engine lineup as varying as its trims. There’s the standard 3.6-liter V6, followed by the 5.7-liter V8, and then the top-spec 6.4-liter V8. All powerhouses are worthy of Dodge’s high performing vehicles. Even with the base 3.6-liter engine, the 2020 Durango is plenty fast. The 295 hp motor propels the Durango past 60 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds. The other 5.7-liter V8 helps this SUV accelerate to the same in 6.2 seconds.
Lastly, the biggest engine on the Durango SRT, the 6.4-liter V8, manages to push this big three-row SUV to the 60 mph mark in as little as 4.4 seconds. The Durango also benefits greatly from its near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. So as this big Dodge accelerates, the weight shifts to the drive axle to increase downforce and improve traction.
|
Model |
Dodge Durango |
Honda Pilot |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0-60 MPH |
7.6 sec |
6.2 sec |
N/A |
7.2 sec |
|
Quarter Mile |
15.8 sec |
14.8 sec |
N/A |
15.4 sec |
| Top Speed | N/A | N/A | 130 MPH | N/A |
|
Engine |
3.6L Regular V6 |
3.5L Regular V6 |
3.8L Regular V6 |
3.8L Regular V6 |
But it's the SUV from Honda that surprises the most in this aspect. Even with an engine that is the least pwerful in this segment, the Pilot is the quickest to the 60 mph mark.
The 2020 Durango even with its least potent engine manages to accelerate like a much smaller car. However, its brakes remind you that it’s not. The response from the pedal is not overtly sporty. In fact, it’s much like what you’d expect in an SUV.
However, the braking performance of the Durango is well below average, a consequence of its massive weight. Pair that with the lack of adequate safety features, like automatic emergency braking, and the 2020 Dodge Durango’s appearance and acceleration aren’t the only things that might scare you.
|
Model |
Dodge Durango* |
Honda Pilot* |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brake Rotors Front |
13.8" |
12.6" |
NA |
13.4" |
|
Brake Rotors Rear |
13.0" |
13.0" |
NA |
12.0" |
|
Curb Weight |
4,680 lbs |
4,036 lbs |
4,127 lbs |
4,211 lbs |
|
60-0 MPH |
134 ft |
128 ft |
129 ft |
126 ft |
*information based on data from 2019
Even when it comes to braking, the Honda Pilot outshines the rest. It is the lightest car in this face-off, and that helps this Pilot with both acceleration and braking. The durango's major drawback is its heft.
The 2020 Dodge Durango is fairly nimble for its size. Despite its big proportions and heavy weight, this Dodge hustles with considerable ease. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly to actively send power to the Durango’s wheels. That power can be sent either to all the wheels of the Durango or the rear two wheels, except in the SRT variant which comes with the rear-wheel drivetrain as standard.
Response from the steering wheel is also pretty direct for an SUV this big. It is nicely weighted to remind you that you are driving around in a full-size SUV. As far as the suspension of the 2020 Durango is concerned, it tries to strike a balance between sport and comfort but is still set up on the firmer side. This is a bit of a let down as the stiffer suspension helps in cornering, as much as possible for such a hefty SUV, but the damped response from the steering takes away some of the confidence for the driver.
The Durango SRT with its rear-wheel-drive unit and electronic limited-slip differential offers an even more sporty feel. Nevertheless, the Durango is a fairly comfortable SUV. Its fun-to-drive dynamics and sporty nature make it a very family-friendly SUV for all-around drivability. In general, the 2020 Durango is a powerful SUV that is quick along the straights and even makes highway maneuverability a lot easier. But one should never forget about its size. It is definitely nimble for a tank-like Dodge but is no swift sports sedan.
The 2020 Dodge Durango’s powertrain is pretty old-school. Pair that with an SUV that is big enough to accommodate three rows and weighs over 4,600 pounds, and what you get is a not-so fuel-efficient vehicle. As a result, the 2020 Durango suffers significantly when it comes to fuel economy. The base 3.6-liter V6 is the most fuel efficient of all Durango powertrains. It returns a combined EPA rated fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon.
The other 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V8s manage a combined MPG rating of 17 miles per gallon and 15 miles per gallon respectively. In comparison, all other three-row SUVs in this segment return at least 22 miles per gallon combined.
|
Model |
Dodge Durango |
Honda Pilot |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
18 |
19 |
19 |
20 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
25 |
27 |
26 |
26 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
21 |
22 |
22 |
23 |
| Fuel Capacity | 24.6 gallons | 19.5 gallons | 18.8 gallons | 18.8 gallons |
| Range (City/Hwy/Combined) | 467/640/516 miles | 371/527/429 miles | 357/489/413 miles | 376/489/432 miles |
|
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/yr) |
8.4 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.6 |
Even though the Telluride and the Palisade share the same powertrain, the one on the Kia is slightly more fuel-efficient than the Hyundai. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, is at par with the Hyundai Telluride. However, the Durango has the biggest fuel tank you'd see on a three-row SUV. Consequently, the Durango offers the maximum range in cities and on highways.
The three rows on the inside of the 2020 Dodge Durango are adequately accommodating. Ideally, the Durango offers space for up to seven people. However, six people would be a lot more comfortable as compared to seven in this three-row SUV. It’s so because the shoulder room in the second row is a bit constricting. Other than that, there’s a sufficient amount of legroom and headroom in the Durango in general.
The front row seats are firm, big and plenty comfortable. They also come with several power-adjustment settings. Even the second-row seats are comfortable enough for two people over long drives. As far as the third row is concerned, they can prove weary for adults over long hauls as is the case with most three-row SUVs.
But what this Dodge lacks in space, it makes up for more than that with the way the cabin has been laid out. The manufacturer has used a combination of low to high-quality materials that vary according to the trim. However, even the base SXT variant gets plenty of soft-touch materials, and the standard cloth upholstery has a fairly upscale feel to it.
|
Model |
Dodge Durango |
Honda Pilot |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
First Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.9/57.0/40.3 |
40.1/62.0/40.9 |
40.7/61.2/44.1 |
40.0/61.6/44.1 |
|
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.8/42.8/38.6 |
40.2/62.0/38.4 |
40.1/60.8/42.4 |
40.2/61.2/42.4 |
|
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.8/42.8/31.5 |
38.9/57.6/31.9 |
38.2/55.0/31.4 |
38.1/55.3/31.4 |
The other three-row SUVs in this stand-off offer only slightly more interior space than the Durango. Overall, the Durango is the least spacious of them all, but it's not all deprived of comfort.
Standard on the 2020 Dodge Durango is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. As we move up the trim ladder, a bigger 8.4-inch touchscreen takes center stage. The font used on the infotainment screen is very user-friendly regardless of the size of the screen. The infotainment unit features the following functions:
The 2020 Dodge Durango lays much emphasis on practicality. The second row seats feature a 60/40-split function, while the third row split 50/50. With all its seats up, this SUV from Dodge offers just a little over 17 cubic feet of space. As compared to other SUVs in this segment, the Durango’s boot is significantly small.
But where this Dodge excels is its ability to get rid of the third row. The SXT and SRT variants of the Durango can be had without the third-row seats to maximize utility. When optimally set up, this SUV from Dodge can tow up to 8,700 pounds.
|
Model |
Dodge Durango |
Honda Pilot |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cargo Capacity |
17.2 cu.ft. |
16.5 cu.ft. |
18.0 cu.ft. |
21.0 cu.ft. |
The Kia Telluride triumphs when it comes to usability. Even though it's wheelbase is shorter than the Durango, it still manages to free up more space on the inside to store your belongings.
Comfort is the center stone of any SUV. An SUV with three rows should be all the more comfortable for the driver as well as the people riding along. The many comfort features of the 2020 Dodge Durango include:
If it weren’t for the 2020 Durango’s massive proportions, one would easily mistake it for a Charger sedan. There’s no SUV in the market out there that looks more muscular than the Durango. It’s entire persona screams that it is a Dodge, and it’s design is proof that everything that Dodge makes is a muscle car. At the front is the honeycomb grille which makes way for the scooped roof in typical Dodge fashion. The more luxury-oriented trim of the Durango wraps the grille in chrome.
At the sides, things have been kept rather simple with a strong and smooth shoulder line, and a slightly sloping roofline. The rear end of the Durango is a lot more happening. The boxy tail features an LED strip that runs across the tailgate and wraps the tail lamps. At the bottom are two exhaust tips on either side to match the Durango’s sportinees.
However, the Durango hasn’t received a design refresh in quite a while now, but it still manages to look very contemporary. Still, Dodge must remember that in order to win the SUV war, things should be kept new and shiny.
|
Model |
Dodge Durango |
Honda Pilot |
Hyundai Palisade |
Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight |
4,680 lbs |
4,036 lbs |
4,127 lbs |
4,211 lbs |
|
Length |
201.2" |
196.5" |
196.1" |
196.9" |
|
Width |
75.8" |
78.6" |
77.8" |
78.3" |
|
Height |
70.9" |
70.6" |
68.9" |
68.9" |
|
Ground Clearance |
8.1" |
7.3" |
7.9" |
8.0" |
|
Wheelbase |
119.8" |
111.0" |
114.2" |
114.2" |
The other competitors of the Dodge Durango are not only lighter but also have a shorter wheelbase than it. Still the Durango handles and accelerates much better.
The most eye-catching external features of the 2020 Dodge Durango are:
The Durango makes several compromises when it comes to safety though. A lot of important safety features are available only as options which cost an extra $2,600. The safety features include:
The Durango is heavily overshadowed by the presence of the Honda Pilot. In general, the Honda Pilot makes a lot more sense than the Durango. The pilot has more space on the inside, and is also more fuel efficient. At the same time the Pilot is only marginally more expensive than the Durango. The higher level Durangos offer a lot more performance, but all that performance comes at a great price and also affects its already compromised efficiency.
The flagship three-row SUV from Hyundai is a great overall package. It is competitively priced. At the same time it offers above average practicality and efficiency. The Palisade’s only downside is its engine which is only slightly less powerful than the one powering the Durango. However, an SUV should focus more on comfort and utility rather than just power, and the Palisade does exactly that.
The Dodge Durango is a great SUV as long as you don’t start comparing it to other three-row SUVs in this segment. It is spacious, powerful and makes up for a fairly comfortable ride while easily managing to look the part. However, when it comes to things that matter, the Durango takes a back seat. It lacks some of the most basic safety features and also has the smallest boot in this lineup of three-row SUVs. But the Durango offers a lot of solutions to take care of its problems, only those options cost extra.
