The previous generation of the Dodge Durango was, frankly, a bit of a bus. Sure, it offered a lot of car for not a lot of money, but what you got was a large, basic and not particularly well put together truck. Cart springs and a solid axle made for a bouncy ride, and though the engines were large they had to work hard hauling all that weight around.
Which is why the new version is such a refreshing change. It is a completely new design, and though the face is familiar, the styling is much more coherent and sophisticated. Underneath, it's more of the same. Construction is now unibody (in which the frame and body are a single unit, which makes for a lighter vehicle overall), and there is a healthy dash of Mercedes engineering holding it all together. How so? The 2011 Durango is closely related to the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, itself based on the platform developed for the current generation of Mercedes ML SUVs.
The result is a much more refined and modern take on the SUV formula. It's significantly longer than the Grand Cherokee, in order to accommodate a third row of seats.
Bright new look
The redesigned exterior is much sleeker than the old truck, and carries some new brightwork, though the Dodge crosshair grille is still there. Our test car rode on handsome polished alloy five-spoke wheels, and was finished in a wonderfully rich shade of metallic raspberry (officially ‘Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat'), which really glowed in the UAE sun.
Inside, the changes are equally dramatic. The new cockpit layout brings real visual impact. Gone are the outdated, hard-edge plastics, instead you are greeted with a tightly fitted, attractive cabin with big red-needled gauges, simple climate-control knobs, and restrained touches of bright and soft metallic trim. The centre console is dominated by a large sat-nav display screen flanked by a pair of chrome-rimmed airvents, and even the cupholders below have blue lighting to define them. All very modern and high-tech, and a million miles from what went before.
Under the hood
Engine choice is between the brilliant new Pentastar 3.6-litre V-6 or the old favourite HEMI 5.7-litre V-8, here producing 360 horsepower (268 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (520 Nm) at 4,250 rpm. The V8 now features a fuel saver mode, and VVT (variable valve timing) for improved engine performance.
Power goes to all four wheels through a five-speed automatic gearbox, and thanks to the all-new independent suspension and hefty control arms, it is a pleasure to drive.
Front suspension now comprises a short/long arm arrangement, and like the multi-link rear suspension, features a fully isolated cradle for improved on-road handling and comfort. There's none of the bounce and vagueness of the old truck, now the Durango is much more car-like in its responses. Steering is electro-hydraulically assisted, and delightfully accurate for something so large - you really can place it with precision, and there's some real feedback to keep you informed of what's going on. Though we didn't have the opportunity to drive it in anything more than city sandlots, the amount of feel available suggests it would be equally at home in the deeper stuff.
This poise and handling prowess is a direct result of the new unibody structure. This is built with a selection of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels to improve driving dynamics by integrating the suspension with the body - reducing flex when compared with the previous body-on-frame design. Dodge says that 52 per cent of the Durango's structure is made from these advanced steels.
Apparently, more than 5,500 welds and more than 4,100mm of arc welding give the Durango torsional stiffness levels greater than that of the Mercedes-Benz GL. The new structure has also allowed for much more precise panel gaps and shutlines, and contributes significantly to the much quieter interior. During our test, absolutely nothing squeaked, rattled or groaned, such is the integrity of the new body.
Inside, the Durango is very comfortable and refined, especially for a vehicle without a luxury badge. The driving position is excellent, with a nice, upright vantage point, and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The second row boasts adult-size space and comfort, but the third row is, as in most vehicles, a bit of a scramble to get into. Once there, it is fine for kids, and it could even be pressed into duty for small adults.
Keeping gadget geeks happy
You get plenty of kit, even on the base model. Our CrewLux spec boasted an impressive list of toys and gadgets including remote start, keyless entry, a power liftgate, reversing camera and Bluetooth connectivity.
Safety is a big issue with Chrysler these days, and our Durango was no exception - our car boasted no fewer than 45 safety and security features, including a standard-fit electronic stability control (ESC) that delivers three security features designed to improve overall vehicle stability both on- and off-road.
These are electronic roll mitigation (ERM) which reacts and applies brakes during extreme situations, hill-start assist (HSA) and standard trailer-sway control (TSC) that work together to enhance off-road and towing capabilities.
Overall, the new 2011 Durango was a real surprise. Having driven various versions of the previous generation, I was impressed by both the extent and success of the updates.
Today's Durango is a great example of modern carmaking expertise - a polished design, well built, generously equipped and engaging to drive. It boasts the sort of quality and refinement you would expect of a car bearing a prestige badge such as a three-pointed star; the fact that you can still buy one for the sort of price you would expect to pay for a Dodge is perhaps its greatest achievement of all.
Specifications:
- Four-door unibody SUV, 4WD, 5-speed auto, 7 seats
- Engine: V8, 5.7litres HEMI with cylinder de-activation
- Power360 hp (268 kW) at 5,150 rpm
- Torque: 390 lb.-ft. (520 Nm) at 4,250 rpm
- Weight: 2,418 kg
