2015 Dodge Durango Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Those looking for a tough, good-looking and value-laden full-size crossover could do a lot worse than the 2015 Dodge Durango. This hefty...

Those looking for a tough, good-looking and value-laden full-size crossover could do a lot worse than the 2015 Dodge Durango. This hefty 5-door people-hauler comes standard with 7-passenger capacity in 3 rows of seating, a pair of powertrain choices and the athletic profile for which Dodge has become legendary. It also packs some surprisingly spiffy moves that have traditionally stymied rivals, while a decidedly roomy cabin, complete with adult-friendly third-row seats, returns complemented by 84.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the second- and third-row seatbacks down.

Again for 2015, the Durango is offered in essentially 4 trims, the base SXT, the up-featured Limited, the sporty R/T (Road/Track) and the posh-packing Citadel. There’s also a Special Services trim that remains dedicated to law-enforcement agencies but is available with all of the mechanical offerings and at least a few of the convenience features of the civilian-oriented trims.

In any case, a few upgrades for 2015 include, besides the ebony-heavy Blacktop appearance package that was introduced late in the 2014 model year, an available Beats by Dr. Dre premium audio system and newly available red leather upholstery that can adorn the R/T trim.

Once again for the upcoming year, all Durango offerings except the R/T boast a 3.6-liter V6 powerplant that mates with a shiftable 8-speed automatic transmission for 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque when carrying the standard exhaust. Add the available dual exhaust system and this same mill adds an extra 5 hp, though torque remains the same. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is again standard for all Durango variants, but full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) remains an option. Towing with the V6-equipped Durango, meantime, is maxed out at 6,200 pounds with the optional Towing Package installed. EPA-estimated mileage in RWD versions returns at 18 mpg city/25 highway, while AWD-packing V6 trims are rated at 17/24. Oh, and the V6 returns capable of burning E85 ethanol fuel.

Standard in the R/T, meanwhile, is a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that remains optional for the Limited and Citadel trims. This potent mill is again partnered with the ubiquitous 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission to the tune of 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, good enough for 7,400 pounds of towing capacity with the optional towing rig installed. Additionally, V8-toting Durango versions remain eligible for an optional upgraded 4-wheel-drive (4WD) configuration that sports a 2-speed transfer case. EPA-estimated mileage for the V8, by the way, runs 14/23 in RWD trims and 14/22 in 4WD versions.

Depending on the trim selected, look for the 2015 Durango lineup to carry 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside, with cloth or leather upholstery, a fold-flat front passenger seat, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats and memory for driver's settings. All trims pack cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, Bluetooth hands-free calling and tri-zone climate control, with higher trims additionally boasting remote engine start, heated second-row seats, a power sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel and, in the Citadel, standard GPS navigation. Furthermore, in keeping with its track-oriented lineage, the 2015 Durango R/T features, besides the available and new-for-2015 red leather upholstery, a standard hunkered-down sport-tuned suspension and a Rallye Appearance Package.

Entertainment setups in all Durango trims, meantime, include a single-CD player bolstered by 6 speakers, an SD memory-card slot and auxiliary audio input. The base SXT sports basic Uconnect with a 5.8-inch infotainment touchscreen display, while higher trims tote upgraded Uconnect with an 8.4-inch screen, as well as satellite radio, 3G WiFi capability, streaming Internet radio and text-to-speech messaging via Bluetooth.

As is traditional, lower Durango variants remain eligible for many of the bells and whistles that come standard on higher trims as options, while all editions remain in the running for the available second-row captain’s chairs (which reduce seating capacity to 6 passengers), not to mention the already-mentioned towing package. Additionally, all 2015 Durango iterations except the SXT can be fitted with optional rear-seat BluRay entertainment, while all but the R/T can be delivered with available skid plates.

Meanwhile, a Technology Package, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward collision alerts and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts remains available to the R/T and Citadel trims, as does the new 10-speaker Beats by Dr. Dre premium audio system.

Finally, standard safety equipment aboard all 2015 Durango variations includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), 3-row head airbags, front fog/driving lights, new-for-2015 LED headlights, a post-collision safety system and brake drying. The Limited and higher trims, meantime, add standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, LED running lights and a remote antitheft alarm.