Read More Customer Reviews

2012 Dodge Durango West Palm Beach

Click Here to Check Out Our New Dodge Durnago Inventory in FL

For 2012, the Dodge Durango gets a few minor improvements. Among them are a six-speed automatic transmission for V8 models, newly available second-row captain's chairs and revised trim levels.  The standard setup is rear-wheel drive, yielding even weight distribution, a compliant bump-soaking ride, nice quiet cruising and good response to driver commands.  Standard on all but the R/T is the 3.6-liter V6 engine, which is rated at 290 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard.  Optional on the Crew and Citadel, and standard on the R/T is a 5.7-liter V8 good for 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

Exterior features of the '12 Durango

It wouldn't be a Dodge without a big cross-hair grille and the 2011 Durango doesn't disappoint. It's broad and tall enough to deliver presence, especially given its forward inclination in a class where everything slopes rearward, yet with the chrome flourishes and finer detailing it's more elegant than the macho, blunt-snouted old Durango. The hood carries out to the fenders rather than sloping off like the old one, and combined with the deep air dam and bodywork gives it a much more wagon-like proportion in side view.  Dodge Durango has a solid, substantial, but not heavy, feel to it.

Interior Features of the '12 Durango

The 2012 Dodge Durango has a pleasant cabin that combines some of the features and flexibility of a minivan with a less upright seating, usable materials and a dash of style. Above your waistline materials are soft-touch or heavily textured, while those closer to the floor are harder plastics that are easy to clean and scratch-resistant. Trim varies by model, no surprise, and the fit and finish is good. Sporty Heat and R/T models come with black upholstery broken up by red stitching, Express and Crew in gray or black cloth upholstery that negates temperature extremes, with a lighter headliner to brighten the cabin, and the Citadel offers black or tan leather.  Outward visibility is good. The windshield pillar is slimmed mid-way to aid front quarter vision, and the door pillars will be behind most drivers. The third row headrests don't block the view (heads might) because there is a dash switch that drops them at the touch of a button. Front wipe/wash coverage is very good, rear good, and the headlights provide satisfactory illumination; HID headlamps are available on some models, low-beam only.  Safety features on all Durangos: front and front-side airbags, full side-curtain airbags, and electronic stability control with trailer-sway control. Optional safety features include blind spot warning, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, rear camera, rear park sensors, and all-wheel drive. 

Driving Impressions of the '12 Durango

The Dodge Durango is easy to drive and delivers a comfortable, quiet ride empty or loaded. The way it responds to steering and braking inputs will please those who enjoy driving and go completely unnoticed by those who don't.  Durango's excellent balance and rear-wheel drive also mean the tires do more equal work. Front tires aren't overwhelmed pulling lots of weight and doing all the steering, and rear tires do more than hold the tailgate off the ground. This is one reason the Durango steers crisply and needs less U-turn space than its rivals.  Around town the Durango soaks up big and small bumps alike with nary a quiver. The nose drops under heavy braking and there is a little body lean in the corners, both providing visual clues without any hint of drama.  Durangos with the V6 offer all-wheel drive with power routed to all four wheels all the time. V8 models offer four-wheel drive with low-range gearing for steeper inclines/descents, a Neutral position for flat-towing, and can be used like the all-wheel drive on pavement for slippery conditions. 

Model Lineup

The 2011 Dodge Durango is offered in six trim levels, many with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (2WD) is standard. V6 models offer full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) that splits power 50/50 while V8 models use a two-speed transfer case (4WD) with low-range gearing, automatic mode for on-highway use, and a Neutral position that allows it to be towed on its wheels, as behind a motorhome.

Durango Express is the base model and comes only with a 290-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. It includes cloth upholstery, three-zone climate control, power windows/locks/heated mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/60R18 Michelins, fog lamps, 50/50-split folding third row seats, 60/40-split fold/tumble second row seats, fold-flat right front seat, and Media Center 130 AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with one-year subscription to Sirius satellite radio. Express is available with AWD. Options include a popular equipment package with 30GB HDD upgraded audio, Bluetooth streaming and voice, leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming inside mirror, rear park sensors and a rearview camera. A towing package includes Class IV hitch, 7 and 4-pin plugs, full-size spare tire, upgraded cooling, load-leveling rear shocks. Also available: skid plates, roof rails/cross bars, engine block heater, sunroof.

Durango Heat is basically a 295-hp V6 version of the R/T. It adds 265/50R20 tires on painted alloy wheels, body-colored trim, auto-dimming inside mirror, sport suspension and a 5.9-cubic-foot storage well under the floor behind the second row seat. The Heat is the only five-passenger Durango, the only V6 with dual exhausts, and has no overhead rear AC controls. Options include three-season performance tires  and most Express options except the roof rails and tow package. The Heat is available with AWD ($32,295).

Durango R/T, for Road/Track, is the sportiest Durango and comes with a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, revised suspension, bigger brakes, 20-inch wheels, body-color trim, digital suede red-stitched upholstery, HID low-beam headlamps, HomeLink, keyless entry, security system, remote start, leather-wrapped wheel and the Media Center 430 audio system with Bluetooth, nine speakers, and 506-watt Alpine amplification. Durango R/T 4WD is identically equipped. R/T extras include audio upgrades, navigation, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning. A Leather Package for 4WD versions includes leather-trimmed seats, heated first and second-row seats, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power front seats, auto-dimming exterior driver-side mirror, LED signal repeaters on the mirrors, and two-position memory system for seat/mirrors/wheel/radio presets. A DVD rear entertainment system is available, usually requires sunroof.

Durango Crew and Crew AWD is the mainstream model, and adds to Express the 506-watt Media 430 sound system, power liftgate, power folding mirrors, remote start, driver memory system, roof rails/cross bars, power 8-way driver and 6-way passenger seats, leather wheel, HomeLink, keyless entry/run, rear camera and park sensors, and a 115-volt 150-watt outlet. Crew options include a 5.7-liter V8, polished 20-inch wheels, an entry navigation/commuter group ($695) that includes navigation system, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, rains-sensing wipers, SmartBeam auto-dimming headlamps. Also available: rear DVD entertainment, block heater, sunroof, tow package, and blind spot warning.

Durango Crew Lux and Crew Lux AWD come standard with leather with four heated seats and power front passenger seat, navigation system, 20-inch polished and painted wheels, SmartBeam headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and chrome door handles and mirrors. Options are the V8, sunroof, rear DVD, tow package and Media Center 730 sound/navigation system with Sirius traffic, voice-recognition and a USB port.

Durango Citadel and Citadel AWD upgraded from Crew Lux with Nappa perforated leather seat trim, ventilated front seats, sunroof, Media Center 730, HID low-beams, eight-way power passenger seat (does not fold flat like all other Durango), heated steering wheel, blind spot warning, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, R/T brakes, and 20-inch alloy wheels with chrome covers. Upgrades are limited to the V8, block heater, tow package, and Inferno red paint.

Conclusions

The 2012 Durango is not merely competitive, it's near the top in many of the things that SUV buyers want. Durango can carry seven people very comfortably, rack up the vacation miles in quiet punctuated only by the half-kilowatt stereo, and is full of the conveniences you never thought of before and now can't do without. That it drives so nicely and is downright fun with the addictive note of the V8 is the frosting on the cake. Click here to learn more about the 2012 Dodge Durango.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com