What's New
Looking beyond the jaw-dropping 710 horsepower limited-edition SRT Hellcat, the 2021 Dodge Durango receives significant interior styling and infotainment upgrades and slightly less obvious exterior updates. Otherwise, the Durango continues with the same proven and capable formula that has remained distinctive and popular in the crowded crossover market.
Choosing Your Dodge Durango
The 2021 Durango has eight trim levels. The SXT is $33,260, the SXT Plus is $37,255, the GT is $37,460, the GT Plus is $41,460, the R/T is $46,800, the Citadel is $49,300, the SRT 392 is $64,490, and the SRT Hellcat is $82,490. All prices include a mandatory destination charge.
Engine Choices
The Durango offers four different powertrains to suit the needs of the customer. For those most focused on fuel efficiency, the 3.6-liter V6 generates 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque and, with rear-wheel drive, achieves an EPA-estimated 21 miles per gallon combined. Towing duties are covered with a 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque 5.7-liter V8 that enables a towing rating of 8,700 lbs, up from the V6’s 6,200 lbs, which is also an impressive figure.
The V8 is standard on the R/T and is optional on the Citadel for $3,995, however, its 17 mpg combined rating will require another $750 in annual fuel costs. The 6.4-liter (392 cubic inches) V8 is standard on the SRT 392 as is all-wheel drive - necessary for getting the 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque to the ground efficiently. Expectedly, however, it achieves a dismal 15 mpg.
The mic-drop 6.2-liter supercharged V8 sends 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque it is also its own worst enemy as the SRT Hellcat’s fuel economy rating of only 13 mpg means it is not long for this world.
The AWD system is standard on the SRT trims and available, for $2,600, on the other trim levels and has minimal impact on fuel economy.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The 2021 Durango can be equipped to hold seven passengers but only in certain configurations. The base SXT trim requires an additional $1,095 for the third row while the Citadel and SRT trims are standard with two second-row captains chairs.
Its overall length of 201 inches is longer than that of the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer and its interior cargo volume is on par with the competition with 17.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row that grows to 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded and 85.1 cubic feet with all seatbacks folded.
The front passenger seatback can also fold flat to accommodate very long items. The Durango’s width of 75.8 inches is significantly less than the Honda and the Ford which translates into less shoulder space, although the redesigned interior of the 2021 model improves upon previous years.
Safety Features
In terms of advanced safety features, the Durango is notable for what it lacks as not even automatic emergency braking is available on the base SXT trim. The GT and R/T trims offer an all-or-nothing approach with the $2,495 Technology group that includes adaptive cruise control, advanced emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection systems are also available for $495. Only the Citadel trim includes these features as standard.
Structurally, the decade-old platform receives mostly Good scores from IIHS although only a Moderate rating in the newer (still, 2012) driver-side narrow-offset collision test. The NHTSA also took exception with its crash performance and awarded it three stars for the driver’s protection and four stars overall (out of five).
Connectivity
The 2021 Durango feels very modern in terms of connectivity.
While the SXT and GT trims “make do” with a Uconnect4 infotainment system, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and auxiliary input, and a CD player, the R/T and up trims receive the new Uconnect5 system and a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen along with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa capability, SiriusXM 360L, HD radio, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging.
Speaking of charging, the Durango is well equipped with four USB ports and three 12-volt power outlets. The R/T, Citadel, and SRT trims further receive a 115-volt power outlet and two additional Type C USB ports.
Although the base SXT trim keeps many of the options off of the table, it still presents a strong value. It features 18-inch wheels, headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, and taillights that are comprised of LEDs, proximity entry with push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a seven-inch gauge cluster display, a three-zone climate control system, LED interior lights with blue ambient lighting, heated body-color mirrors, and a capless fuel filler.
The Trailer-Tow Group is available for $1,195 and includes a load-leveling rear suspension, a trailer brake controller, and greater engine cooling performance.
The SXT Plus trim adds exterior chrome accents, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and roof rails with integrated cross rails but it is most notable for the newly available packages.
The Popular Equipment Group ($1,695) includes features such as heated front cloth seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power tailgate while the Blacktop Package ($1,595) is more appearance themed and adds 20-inch black wheels, black headlight bezels, grille, and mirror housings, body-colored wheel lip moldings and, both, front and rear fascia, and dual exhaust.
The Anodized Platinum Package can be ordered instead and it brightens the exterior with platinum-accented fog light bezels, grille, rear lower fascia, and door sills, and 20-inch satin carbon wheels for $995.
The GT trim continues the march up the trim hierarchy with 20-inch silver wheels, a black sport grille design, dual exhaust, and a standard third-row bench. The Blacktop Package is offered and is slightly less expensive at $1,295 but look to the GT Plus trim for further offerings.
The GT Plus trim includes more standard niceties such as leather seats with suede inserts, heated first and second-row seats, six-way power-adjustment for the front passenger, memory positioning, remote engine start, and mirrors with integrated turn signals and auto-dimming driver’s side, however, it also appeals with its newly available packages.
The Premium Group I is $2,495 and includes the upgraded infotainment system, navigation, and an Alpine audio system with nine speakers and a 506-watt amplifier, black roof rails, and a sunroof. Once that package has been selected, the Premium Group II is available for $1,395 and includes LED turn signals, an auxiliary low-beam, rain-sensing wipers, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
The R/T trim includes the optional packages of the GT Plus and then furthers the sporting theme with red interior accents, a performance-tuned steering system, a sport-tuned suspension, and a hood with a center air intake and dual heat extractors.
The newfound capability of the standard V8 allows for the Tow N Go Package, albeit limited to AWD models. This $4,995 comprehensive package is a mix of capability and performance as it includes hardware updates such as larger Brembo brakes, a performance exhaust, an SRT-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
It also includes the unique SRT exterior styling, 20-inch wheels featured on the SRT 392 trim, and automatic headlight leveling. Those looking for the two-speed transfer case will instead select the $1,195 Trailer-Tow Group which is otherwise similar to the Trailer-Tow Group offered with the V6.
The optional Premium Interior Group ($1,495) includes a leather-wrapped instrument panel with contrast stitching and a suede headliner, and, for $955, a 19-speaker 825-watt Harman Kardon sound system is available.
The luxurious trim level, Citadel, includes platinum chrome door handles, mirrors, grille, rear lower fascia, and 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, roof rails, and the Trailer-Tow Group as standard.
Inside, the Premium Interior Group is supplemented with Nappa leather seating with ventilation and offers the Premium Entertainment Group ($2,995) that includes the Harman Kardon sound system, Blu-Ray/DVD rear entertainment with additional ports for plugging in video games, and dual screens.
The SRT 392 trim appears very similar on the outside to the R/T with the Tow N Go Package but its performance Nappa leather and suede seats that feature an embroidered SRT logo, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, and second-row inboard armrests (something to hold onto) are unique to the SRT trims. Also uniquely included is a full day at a high-performance driving school to learn how to make the most out of each of its SRT-tuned Drive modes.
Leather seating is offered for $1,595 and the Premium Interior Group is now $2,495 as it further includes carbon-fiber interior trim. The SRT Black Package ($1,495) adds black 20-inch wheels, black exhaust tips, special statin and gloss black lettering and badging, and gloss black mirror caps. A Lightweight Performance Package ($0) removes the third row of seats and installs a second-row bench seat.
An instant collectible, this SRT Hellcat is a menacingly capable crossover. The SRT Hellcat not only receives significantly more power than the SRT 392, but it also receives enhanced chassis-work and aerodynamics such as a two-piece front rotor, a body-color front bumper splitter, a unique rear spoiler, stiffer rear damper mounts, and selectable steering tuning. Yes, there is a Launch Control Control toggle switch.
The SRT Hellcat offers the same optional packages as the SRT 392.
Compare Durango Trims Side-By-Side
Considering the SRT Hellcat is likely sold-out, the GT Plus trim with the Premium Group I and the Technology Group brings the key active safety features, technology, and style that balance the Durango’s capability with everyday efficiency.