[redriderbob]

 

[suzq044]

Notice how the Ecoboost didn't keep up with the EPA figures and most all the others did better than.

I have wondered how the Durango would do in off pavement situations. Now an off road version...just shy of a grand cherokee trailhawk...that would be nice.

And a Ram SUV...well, just imagine.

.. won't have to imagine for long. Wagoneers are coming. Lol

 

[jimboy]

Just think what this test would show with a Chrysler (Aspen/T&C) built on DT. I still feel there should be a Chrysler version of this platform since it is, supposedly, the mainstream Brand to compete with Ford and Chevrolet and Toyota, and Nissan. Or has SM changed his mind, again? Leave Jeep to fight R/R and Porsche/Audi, and keep the Durango for Dodge.

 

[73chargerse]

I too would like to see a true BOF SUV from Dodge/Chrysler as I've found myself pining for a Suburban lately. (please help me) Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Hemi Durango, but I'd also like to be able to take whatever rig I've got off into the stick to go hunting with the old man. I just don't see the Durango being that great in some of the areas I'm thinking of. I guess I need to read the article when I get my issue.

 

[GasAxe]

I would absolutely not take my Durango anywhere off road except for well graded dirt roads. Way to much low slung plastic to smash.

 

[DarkSky]

I would absolutely not take my Durango anywhere off road except for well graded dirt roads. Way to much low slung plastic to smash.

Agreed. My mom had a 2014 Durango Rallye and parked next to my Charger it didn't seem to have much additional clearance in the front. The black plastic below the front fascia is very low and looks brittle.

 

[MoparMantis]

Agreed. My mom had a 2014 Durango Rallye and parked next to my Charger it didn't seem to have much additional clearance in the front. The black plastic below the front fascia is very low and looks brittle.

I took our Durango off road once. Most rate the trail between easy and moderate. Handled like a champ. Certainly was a memorable trip, the wife was 7 months pregnant with our second munchkin. I still catch a little grief for that (maybe deservedly). I went down the trail as a kid. Didn't seem a rough then.
Another pertinent note, it was a 2000 Durango. Probably none of the 2000 Durango has trickled down to 2018.

 

[DarkSky]

I took our Durango off road once. Most rate the trail between easy and moderate. Handled like a champ. Certainly was a memorable trip, the wife was 7 months pregnant with our second munchkin. I still catch a little grief for that (maybe deservedly). I went down the trail as a kid. Didn't seem a rough then.
Another pertinent note, it was a 2000 Durango. Probably none of the 2000 Durango has trickled down to 2018.

There's quite a large difference in ground clearance and the approach angle.

 

[MoparMantis]

There's quite a large difference in ground clearance and the approach angle.

Yeah. Our other ride is a 12 2500 crew long box. I could probably take it on the same trail but it would be tougher. We could end up scraping in a few places because of the wheelbase even though it has better ground clearance. That ride would be awful in a 2500.
The older Durango was a pretty good vehicle, and I still think the 5.9 was an underrated motor. It'll go toe to toe performance wise with our pickup. The pickup probably has a slight edge, but that's because I've added a few performance goodies to it. The Durango gets slightly better mileage. Good enough off road capability for my needs.

The new Durango would blow the doors off ours performance wise. The new one gets better mileage also. Not sure about comfort. Ours isnt to bad, but I havent sat in a new one.

The new Durango certainly gets my attention. But I'm holding out for the Wagoneer. Still excited to see what they come up with. The Durango punched above it's weight in this review. The new Ram seems great. I'm thinking the Jeep will be the best of both worlds in many ways. Good job to the Durango team.

 

[valiant67]

There's quite a large difference in ground clearance and the approach angle.

Yep, I had a 2002 Durango R/T and a 2017 Durango R/T at the same time. No comparison, the 2002 was much more ready to go off road.

 

[freshforged]

Yes. I don't really think it should be competing in this class. It's more of a Traverse/Explorer/Pathfinder competitor but I can't complain that we still got second place!

Yup--this is where the new Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer will slot into place.

 

[DarkSky]

Yep, I had a 2002 Durango R/T and a 2007 Durango R/T at the same time. No comparison, the 2002 was much more ready to go off road.

Looking at the two pictures though, there's actually a surprising amount of resemblance between the original and the current-gen Durango.

 

[suzq044]

Haven't sat in an older Durango, but was it like the XJ Cherokee, where you had your legs forward in a more car-like sitting position?

The reason I ask, is because I think that's where a lot of the ground clearance disappeared/came from. Upright sitting that seems to be preferred these days, means taller, lower body. So does modern aero/mpg/nvh requirements.

 

[JKU12]

I too would like to see a true BOF SUV from Dodge/Chrysler as I've found myself pining for a Suburban lately. (please help me) Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Hemi Durango, but I'd also like to be able to take whatever rig I've got off into the stick to go hunting with the old man. I just don't see the Durango being that great in some of the areas I'm thinking of. I guess I need to read the article when I get my issue.

Suburban and Durango are probably a wash when it comes to "off road". If you're truly looking for something that can tackle more challenging things, then I would go with something else.

 

[73chargerse]

Suburban and Durango are probably a wash when it comes to "off road". If you're truly looking for something that can tackle more challenging things, then I would go with something else.

No, I think the Suburban would have a distinct ground clearance advantage which is the main issue with what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about hitting the trails like you would in a Wrangler. I'm talking about some "roads" back home that barely meet the definition of such where you'd likely prefer to have a half-ton pickup over a uni-body CUV or car. Yeah, pickup would be ideal, but I'm still thinking of hauling the kids as well.

EDIT - I also wouldn't go with any Burb newer than '14 if this was to actually happen.

 

[patfromigh]

We have Ford Transit Connects at my work. The boss thought I will the optional ECOBOOST motors since they are lower displacement, make like 15 more horsepower and they get better fuel economy. Fuel economy is about the same and you have to run them on Premium gas. LOL. Not as efficient as they are advertised.

The EcoBoost was quietly removed from the TC. No explanation given. There is an updated 2019 Transit Connect being shown in Chicago. I could say more about it, but that's another thread.

 

[Zagnut27]

Yup--this is where the new Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer will slot into place.

Wait...I thought Grand Commander was going to be the new Wagoneer. At least that’s what a lot of the car mags have been saying. (Ducks & runs out of room before RRB can slap him).

 

[wtxiceman]

Wait...I thought Grand Commander was going to be the new Wagoneer. At least that’s what a lot of the car mags have been saying. (Ducks & runs out of room before RRB can slap him).

He will just throw a fish at you

 

[Zagnut27]

Just read the review in its entirety. Durango is an older model (that’s been updated) but I don’t think they mentioned that like they kept doing for the Toyota. It’s a tribute to how good Durango is, and how competitive it remains. I was surprised when they mentioned that it didn’t have USB ports for the third row...I thought they had them in the YouTube review I saw...not a huge deal to me either way. They seemed to like the V8, so the more I keep hearing that, the more I’m leaning towards a V8 myself. And I like how they mentioned that, although being smaller than the other vehicles, it’s interior space was “middle of the pack”.

A very compelling vehicle. I can’t wait to start shopping.

 

[JKU12]

No, I think the Suburban would have a distinct ground clearance advantage which is the main issue with what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about hitting the trails like you would in a Wrangler. I'm talking about some "roads" back home that barely meet the definition of such where you'd likely prefer to have a half-ton pickup over a uni-body CUV or car. Yeah, pickup would be ideal, but I'm still thinking of hauling the kids as well.

EDIT - I also wouldn't go with any Burb newer than '14 if this was to actually happen.

2018 Suburban ground clearance = 7.9 in
2018 Durango ground clearance = 8.1 in

hmmmm, so much for having a "distinct ground clearance advantage".

Now, you are correct, a 2013 Suburban will get you 9.1 in. Better, but still not a huge advantage if a newer Durango is what you want over a used Suburban.