2022 Dodge Durango

The 2022 Dodge Durango is a muscular three-row SUV with available V-8 punch to back up its toned styling.

Even with the discontinuation of the 710-horsepower Durango SRT Hellcat for 2022, the range still offers plenty of grunt. SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT 392 trims offer V-6 and V-8 engines with as much as 475 hp. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard fare, and Dodge offers its big SUV in both rear- and all-wheel-drive variants.

All that power doesn’t translate to great fuel economy. With the base V-6 engine and rear-wheel drive, the Durango musters 19 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined, or slightly less with optional all-wheel drive. The V-8 is rated at 14/22/17 mpg, and the SRT 392 – well, you’re not shopping that one for its miserly manners, are you?

The 2022 Durango rates four stars overall from the NHTSA and has earned mixed results from the IIHS. Automatic emergency braking is standard on the luxurious Citadel, optional on most other trims. Blind-spot monitors and parking sensors are newly included.

Model lineup

Starting at around $37,000 in base Durango SXT form, this three-row SUV features 18-inch wheels and cloth seats plus an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The Durango GT ups the ante with an available 10.1-inch screen running Dodge’s latest software including over-the-air updates, plus it offers more optional extras. Its $3,000 price bump also includes 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate, heated seats, and heated steering wheel.

With their V-8 engine and standard leather upholstery, R/T versions cost around $50,000 to start.

The Citadel goes farther with softer nappa leather and a few more luxuries, including cooled front seats and second-row captains chairs. It costs a little under $53,000.

The Durango SRT 392 is on a different level with its bigger V-8, lowered and stiffened suspension, upsized Brembo brakes, and a host of other performance upgrades. Dodge wants around $70,000 for this model, which comes with standard all-wheel drive.

Exterior

The Durango’s toned look is familiar like a pair of soft jeans and a comfortable t-shirt. Dressed up in Citadel guise with its chrome bits, it’s more like a designer brand – minus the excess rhinestones.

These are stylish SUVs, even though their design has been around for about a decade. All models now wear sporty bumpers with big air intakes that give them SRT-lite looks no matter what’s underhood. The R/T and SRT 392 shout about their intentions with hood scoops, just in case you miss their V-8 rumble.

Interior

Inside, the Durango is equipped with a driver-oriented dash that was revamped last year. The standard 8.4-inch touchscreen is on the big side by competitive standards, while the optional 10.1-incher is downright huge. Its bright display is an asset, too.

Dodge fits above-average materials to the Durango’s cabin, which comes standard with three rows of seats and offers a choice between a second-row bench or captain’s chairs separated by a small pass-through.

The front seats are firm and supportive, almost German in their comfort. Row two has great space and wide-opening doors. The third row is best for kids, though adults can squeeze back there for shorter stints.

Flop the second and third rows down and the Durango can lug 85 cubic feet of cargo.

Driving impressions

The 3.6-liter V-6 that comes standard on the base Durango versions is plenty peppy for most needs. This smooth operator pairs brilliantly with the 8-speed automatic transmission, and it can tow up to 6,200 pounds.

Opt for the 5.7-liter V-8 standard in the R/T and optional for the Citadel, and you’ll find 360 hp at your disposal. This V-8 is thirsty but such fun, with a terrific soundtrack to accompany its noticeably peppier acceleration. Properly configured, it can tow as much as 8,900 pounds, too.

The SRT 392’s 6.4-liter V-8 produces a hefty 475 hp, giving it a racecar-grade 0-60 mph sprint of just 4.4 seconds. It’s backed up by a firmer-riding suspension and ultra-strong Brembo brakes, plus a host of drive modes to take advantage of all that performance. An SUV this big and heavy shouldn’t feel this light on its feet, but Dodge’s SRT gurus have worked their magic.

Final Word

The Dodge Durango is a muscle truck for the family, but this brute has a polished side with impressive in-cabin tech and a docile demeanor until called into action.

—By Andrew Ganz, with driving impressions from The Car Connection