Unlike family sedans (and a few SUVs) that feature a 4-cylinder engine, the 2018 Dodge Durango comes with powerful V6 and V8 engine options. Moreover, it has exceptionally spacious third-row seats. The 2018 Dodge Durango price range is $32,000 to $65,000. The triple-seater is greatly inspired by the muscle cars of the past and packs a great towing capacity.
The Good :
- A multitude of upgrade options
- Best-in-class touchscreen interface
- Exception towing ability
- Offers great off-roading capability with 4WD and low-range gearing
- Spacious third-row seats
The Bad :
- Bulkier to drive
- No Bluetooth streaming standard on the SXT trim
- Poor fuel economy, especially with the V8 engine
New for 2018
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard on all trims
- The debut of the high-performance 475-hp SRT model
Trims
The three-row 2018 Dodge Durango crossover SUV is available in a total of five trims. These are SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT. Leave for the top-end trim i.e. SRT, each Durango trim comes standard with the rear-wheel-drive system with an optional all-wheel-drive system.
All 2018 Dodge Durango trims feature a standard seating for 7 people. Opting for the second-row captain chairs, however, reduces the maximum seating capacity to 6 people. Buyers looking for a cargo hauler can opt for the two-row base SXT. All other trims are three-row only.
The base SXT trim comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch infotainment system paired with a six-speaker sound system. Other notable standard features available to the entry-level trim include a rearview camera, heated mirrors, and three-zone climate control.
Moving to the next trim, the GT adds 20-inch wheels, a 115-volt power outlet, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate, and leather and suede upholstery. The Citadel trim gets the bigger Uconnect 8.4-inch infotainment system in addition to a sunroof and roof-rail crossbars.
The R/T trim features a Beats audio system, an upgraded steering system, red accent stitching, and a performance hood design. The top Durango trims i.e. SRT comes standard with adaptive suspension, electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and SRT performance pages.
Engine Configuration and Performance
There are 3 engine configurations available with the 2018 Dodge Durango. First up, we have the 293-hp and 260 lb.-ft. generating 3.6L V6 engine standard on SXT and GT trims. The second one is the 5.7L V8 engine capable of producing 360 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. It is standard on the R/T model while available as an optional upgrade with the Citadel trim. The topmost trim, the SRT, packs a 6.4L V8 engine, which produces 475 hp and 470 lb.-ft. torque.
All the engine configurations are powerful and pairing them with the smart 8-speed automatic transmission mode makes for an acceptable level of comfort and smooth ride quality. The braking power is ample while the steering is kind of truck-ish, especially on the lower trims.
Interior & Technology
2018 Dodge Durango offers an airy passenger space, an unrestricted view, and an easier way of getting and getting out. The cabin is slightly above average and packs a lot of user-friendly tech features. The third-row spaciousness is remarkably high for its segment.
While the cargo capacity is good, the towing capacity is exceptional. The Uconnect infotainment system has one of the most user-friendly interfaces and comes with dual USB ports, navigation support, and smartphone integration.
Safety
The 2018 iteration of the Durango receives great safety scores by the NHTSA. It receives full scores in almost all categories, leave for driver and overall frontal barrier crash, and rollover, in which the midsize SUV gains 4 out of 5 stars.
2018 Dodge Durango receives Good ratings from IIHS in 4 out of 5 categories. Leave for the SXT trim, the remaining trims come with optional safety features, which include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning plus.
