When one sets out to choose an SUV, the options are endless. From rugged exteriors to spacious interiors, this car segment houses a lot of choices. Among them, the Dodge Durango is a prominent name. The SUV first appeared in the market in 1998 and since then, it has performed well against some well-known contenders.
Moving forward, here is the Dodge Durango history, explaining its journey over the years.
History and Timeline of Dodge Durango
The history of Dodge depicts the brand’s consistency in pushing the automotive boundaries. The Durango remained a promising addition to the brand’s many chapters of innovation. Moreover, the model falls midway between the full-size and mid-size SUVs.
Let’s learn the history of the Dodge Durango SUV.
Dodge Durango First Generation (1997-2003)
Dodge rolled out the Durango as a replacement for its Ramcharger. The first Dodge Durango came into the market in the 1998 model year as a four-door SUV. Its dimensions were noticeably larger than the well-known SUVs, such as the Ford Explorer and Chevy Blazer.
The exterior of the Durango took inspiration from the Dakota pickup truck. That said, it featured lowered car fenders, a rectangular-shaped ‘cross-hair’ front grille slashed in a cross and horizontal headlamps. The overall shape of the car was much rounder and smaller.
As for the interior, it offered an additional third seat, offering capacity for up to eight passengers. The cabin also came with an analogue tachometer and a simple layout.
The Dodge Durango old models were available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. Speaking of the powertrains, at first, Dodge launched a 3.9-litre Magnum V6 engine.
It was also the time when the brand introduced a supercharged 5.9-litre V8 engine for the Durango’s Shelby SP-360 edition. It generated up to 360 horsepower. Later on, the Durango became available with a 4.7-litre Magnum V8 engine. Dodge then decided to only keep the V8 engines for this SUV. In 2000, Dodge also launched the R/T version of the Durango.
Dodge Durango Second Generation (2004-2009)
The second generation of the Dodge Durango history came with many changes. It was available in five grade levels. They included SE, SXT, Adventurer, SLT and Limited. In terms of the exterior, the hood was restyled and the front car grille appeared wider.
The Durango interior also underwent a facelift. It now featured air-conditioning, a central locking system and a six-disc CD player. It was available with MP3 connectivity. In addition, the SUV still offered third-row seating.
Dodge added a few basic safety features in the second-generation Durango. These included a tyre pressure-monitoring system, airbags, electronic stability control, a single-touch turn signal plus rear park assist.
This chapter in the history of Dodge Durango also witnessed hemi engines. The available powertrains included:
- A 3.7-litre V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It generated up to 213 horsepower.
- A 4.7-litre V8 engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, delivering 238 horsepower.
- A 5.7-litre V8 mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. It produced up to 349 horsepower.
The 3.7-litre and 4.7-litre engine options were available as a rear-wheel drive. On the other hand, the 5.7-litre came with an all-wheel drive system.
Dodge Durango Third Generation (2011-Present)
The production of Durango ceased after the 2009 model year. However, in the 2011 model year, things picked up pace and the SUV was back in the game.
For the latest and current generation of the Durango, Dodge put its best foot forward to redesign the model. The third generation entered the market with nearly a dozen car trim levels, including SR/T and R/T grades.
The exterior was made more muscular with unibody panels, wide rear fenders and LED daytime running lights. Depending on the trim level, Dodge offered aggressive styling elements. Despite these changes, the Durango appeared as a family-friendly SUV.
Inside, the Durango still offered a seating capacity of seven passengers. However, many significant changes were made to the cabin. For instance, it now had an instrument TFT display and a coloured infotainment display. The centre stack also featured a backup camera. Varying with the grade levels, the car upholstery was available in fabric or leather options.
The engine options for the third-generation Durango included:
- A 3.6-litre V6 engine produces outputs of 290 to 295 horsepower.
- A 5.7-litre V8 engine generates up to 360 horsepower.
Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Besides, they were available as an RWD or AWD system.
Dodge Durango Third Generation Facelift (2021)
2021 brought another Durango facelift with new engine options. The SUV now became available with Dodge Hellcat modifications (RT and SRT versions).
The current Durango comes with LED/ high-beam headlights and daylight running lamps. It features 20-inch aluminium wheels plus a racetrack taillamp that adds to its appearance. The SUV has a towing capacity of 3,266 kg.
Meanwhile, the interior boasts a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with Uconnect. Passengers can travel comfortably, making use of the split-folding third row. In addition, the Durango has a storage space of almost 85.1 cubic feet.
The latest models of the Dodge Durango history are available with the following powertrains:
- Supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 engine
- 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine
- 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine
- 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine
FAQs
When did Dodge introduce the Durango?
The history of Dodge Durango began in the 1998 model year. To this day, the SUV is a top choice for a family-friendly vehicle.
What does SRT stand for Dodge?
SRT, or Street and Racing Technology, is Dodge’s performance division. Popular SRT models include the Challenger SRT Hellcat, Charger SRT Hellcat and Durango SRT.
Who is Dodge owned by?
Dodge is among the top car brands owned by Stellantis.
This brings us to the end of Dodge Durango history. It is a well-rounded SUV that is apt for families and adventure enthusiasts. If you want to avail this model, here are used Dodge Durango cars for sale in the UAE that you can consider. Also, for other cars by the brand, sift through these used Dodge cars to buy in the UAE.
Stay connected with dubizzle’s autos blog for more on car histories, interesting facts and news.
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