With a handsome, chiseled exterior, upscale interior and a slick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, the 2015 Dodge Durango has a lot of curb appeal. It offers a sleek coke-bottle shape, an aggressive-looking cross-hair grille, racetrack LED taillights, a 4-wheel independent suspension and unitized body construction. It’s built off a stretched version of the highly regarded Jeep Grand Cherokee platform. Inside is a twist-knob automatic-transmission shifter, a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster and a center stack arrayed with either a 5- or 8.4-in touchscreen infotainment system. The Durango offers 3-row seating with 28 different configurations, 84.5 cu ft. of cargo space and up to 7,400 pounds of towing capacity with the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8.
New to the Durango for 2015 is a premium 10-speaker Beats by Dre audio system. Availability of the optional Blacktop package with its sinister blackout grille, black 20-in alloy wheels and monochromatic trim is extended to the SXT, R/T and Limited trims. Standard safety fare includes dual-front, front-seat side and overhead airbags and a driver’s-knee airbag with forward collision warning, a blind spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert available as options.
The 2015 Dodge Durango is a good choice for buyers who desire a used SUV that has full-size capabilities but a sportier, more engaging driving experience.
What We Like
Muscular styling; improved fuel economy; seamless 4-wheel-drive (4WD) operation; upscale interior materials; engaging ride and handling; available HEMI V8; Uconnect infotainment
What We Don’t
Twist-knob shifter takes some getting used to; high cargo lift-over height; R/T model ride quality can be choppy
Fuel Economy & Engine Specs
The 2015 Durango has two available engines. The SXT, Rallye, Limited and Citadel trims come with a Pentastar 3.6-liter dual-overhead-camshaft V6 that makes 290 horsepower (295 hp in the Rallye, Citadel and Blacktop package versions) and 260 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded fuel. Some V6 models have flex-fuel capability and can run clean-burning E85. Rear-wheel-drive models have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while 4WDs get a 17 mpg city/24 mpg hwy rating. An 8-speed automatic transmission with a rotary-dial shifter and steering-wheel paddles is standard. The optional full-time 4WD system with the V6 engine uses a single-speed transfer case.
Standard on the Durango R/T and optional on Limited and Citadel models, the 5.7-liter overhead-valve HEMI V8 produces a robust 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It runs on regular unleaded gas, but midgrade is recommended for the best performance. A fuel-saver mode shuts down four cylinders when the vehicle is cruising with a light load. Both rear-wheel-drive and 4WD models are EPA-rated at 14 mpg city/22 mpg hwy. V8 Durangos also are equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission with a rotary-dial shifter and steering-wheel paddles. The optional full-time 4WD with the HEMI V8 uses a 2-speed transfer case with neutral and low-range.
Standard Features & Options
The 2015 Dodge Durango comes in SXT, Rallye, Limited, R/T and Citadel trims.
Typical SXT equipment includes automatic tri-zone air conditioning, rear air conditioning, 7-passenger seating, cloth seats, cruise control, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel with auxiliary voice recognition, phone and audio controls, remote keyless entry, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with an MP3 decoder, a 5-in touchscreen, SiriusXM radio, automatic headlamps, deep-tint glass, fog lamps, 18-in alloy wheels, stability and traction control, trailer-sway control, hill-start assist, anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes, power door locks, power windows and power heated mirrors.
Moving up to Rallye adds body-color sport exterior trim, LED daytime running lights, 20-in alloy wheels, a black headliner, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats with lumbar adjustment, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and dual exhaust.
Upgrading to the Limited trim gains leather seats, remote starting, a power front passenger seat, heated second-row seats, an auto-dimming mirror, a 115-volt power outlet, 18-in polished alloy wheels, a garage-door opener, bright roof rails with integrated crossbars, rear park assist with a camera, push-button starting and a premium DVD audio system with an 8.4-in touchscreen, Uconnect voice command and Bluetooth audio streaming.
The Citadel trim is the most luxurious, featuring rain-sensing wipers, high-intensity auto-dimming headlamps, 20-in chrome wheels, a chrome grille, perforated Nappa leather seats, heated front- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a power tilt-telescopic steering column, a perforated-leather-wrapped steering wheel and SiriusXM Traffic and navigation. Adaptive cruise control, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-path detection and forward collision control are Citadel options.
Selecting the R/T trim adds the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a body-color grille surround, red interior accent stitching, a lowered sport suspension and black 20-in alloy wheels.
Popular options such as trailer towing, a rear DVD entertainment system, tubular side steps, second-row captain’s chairs and more are available.
Pricing
Although the Durango doesn’t have the interior space of a Grand Caravan, it’s still a versatile and capable large SUV. Its muscular good looks and carlike ride and handling give it curb appeal that competitors sometimes lack. Expect sporty rear-wheel-drive Durangos to maintain their value in the Southeast and the Southwest, while all-wheel-drive models will command higher prices in the snowy Northeast and Upper Midwest.
To research the cost of a 2015 Durango, check out the used-car values at KBB.com. You can also search the Autotrader Classifieds to see what’s for sale in your area.
Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued the following recalls for the 2015 Durango:
Radio software vulnerability may allow hackers to remotely control some vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Defective rear suspension lower control arms may fracture, affecting ride height, reducing steering and braking capabilities and increasing the risk of a crash.
A cracked left front brake caliper may increase stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall repairs are required by law even if the vehicle is out of warranty. Your dealer can check to see if the repairs were performed, and if not, they’ll fix the car at no charge to you.
Safety Ratings & Warranties
The NHTSA rated the 2015 Durango at four stars overall, with four stars for frontal impacts, five stars for side impacts, four stars for 2-wheel-drive rollover protection and three stars for 4WD rollover protection.
The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2015 Durango a Marginal rating for small-overlap front impacts and a Good rating for moderate-overlap front impacts, side impacts, roof strength, head restraints and seats.
Dodge covered the 2015 Durango with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, along with a 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and roadside-assistance coverage, as well as a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion-perforation warranty.
Dodge certified pre-owned (CPO) cars cannot have more than 75,000 miles on the odometer and must be 5 years old or less. Every CPO Durango undergoes a 125-point inspection. Those that pass receive a 3-month/3,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty starting at the car’s original date of sale. A Carfax report, 24-hour roadside assistance, car-rental allowance and a 3-month trial of SiriusXM radio are also included.
Other Cars to Consider
2015 Ford Explorer — This car-based 3-row crossover comes with a 240-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo, a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 or a 365-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. All versions offer good headroom and cargo space, as well as the innovative 4WD Terrain Management System as an option, but second-row legroom is tight, and thick front roof pillars impede outward visibility.
2015 Toyota 4Runner — Updated for 2014 with new sheet metal, an instrument panel and the Entune touchscreen audio system, the old-school 4Runner offers legendary durability and off-road capability but high step-in height, a sparse selection of amenities inside and a stiff, trucklike ride. For 2015, a new off-road-oriented TRD Pro series is available.
Autotrader’s Advice
Smaller and more stylish than the full-size-truck-based Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs, yet more muscular and expressive than front-drive-car-based crossovers such as the Ford Explorer and the Chevrolet Traverse, the Durango is unique in the market. We like the Limited trim, which has many features that buyers are looking for and can be configured with either the 290-hp 3.6-liter V6 or 360-hp HEMI V8. And the Rallye offers the R/T’s monochromatic exterior trim and black aluminum wheels with the more fuel-efficient V6. If you tow, the HEMI is a good choice, but the V6 offers considerably better fuel economy. Look for a certified pre-owned Durango if possible, and always get a vehicle-history report. Make sure the Durango you’re looking at has had all applicable recalls performed.
