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Dodge trucks have spent a lot of energy building a tough image. Now some of that toughness is leaking over onto the SUV side of the equation with the refreshed 2007 Dodge Durango Limited 4x4 HEMI. And it's not all bluster, either -- this Durango is one tough customer. The 2007 Dodge Durango Limited 4x4 HEMI carries a base price of $36,375 ($40,210 as tested) with a 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty, an unlimited mileage powertrain warranty for the original owner, and an EPA estimate of 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway.


Let's drive.

First Glance

Larger Exterior Photos: FrontRear

Durango has hanging around since 1998. The second generation Durango hit the road in 2004, and Dodge has given the current model a mild facelift for 2007. From the front, you might think you're looking at a Dodge Ram 2500 or 5500, so beefy and muscular is the new fascia. The big signature chrome crosshair grille is decorated with a big ram's head logo, in case you missed any of the other chrome Dodge logos around the vehicle. Big rectangular headlight housings enclose round reflectors. Massive front fenders rise up beside the big sculpted hood, and bulge up over the wheel wells. My test vehicle wore 18" chrome clad aluminum wheels -- it looks like there would be plenty of room for a nice set of 22s, though.

Big rear fenders bulge out from the body as well. With no apparent interest in aerodynamics, Durango's sides rise flat and straight, meeting the tailgate in near right angles. Detailed rectangular taillights are arrayed vertically at the low corners, with dual round bulges.

The big flat tailgate is crowed with a smallish rectangular window -- a little smaller than I would like for a good view out, but not pillbox small, anyway.

Overall, Durango is macho. There's no better word. Not over the top, cartoonish macho like Nitro or H3, but a more mature, truck-driving macho. If H3 smokes a cheroot, Durango probably chews Skoal. That kind of macho.

Continued below. . .

In the Driver's Seat

Larger Interior Photo

Inside, things are not quite so rough and tough. In fact, it's downright comfortable. The Limited level of trim comes with a great level of standard equipment, including heated, leather-trimmed power front seats, power windows and door locks, dual zone air conditioning, rear a/c with heat control, and Sirius satellite radio with one year service included. My test vehicle was equipped with optional ($700) second row bucket seats with optional heat ($250) -- taking the comfort over toughness theme even further.

It's a pretty healthy climb up into Durango's front cabin, but once you're in the driver's seat, it's pretty easy to find a comfortable driving position. I would have liked telescopic adjustment on the steering wheel in addition to tilt, but the power adjustment on the driver's seat makes up for it.

Dodge kept the dashboard simple, with a clean, simple center stack and an uncluttered instrument panel with three round analog gauges with easy-to-read black-on-white numerals. The big expanse of flat dash is a little disappointing, with slightly substandard material selection and just adequate fit and finish. Durango could use an upgrade in this area.

On the Road

There's no need for an upgrade under the hood -- not if you've chosen a Durango with a HEMI, anyway. There are several engine choices for Durango, from a 3.7 liter V6 (210 hp/235 lb-ft of torque) to a 4.7 liter V8 (235 hp/300 lb-ft of torque) to the only real choice, a 5.7 liter HEMI V8 that pounds out 335 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive will be hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission with any of the engines. My test vehicle came with the HEMI (a $1,190 option) and four-wheel drive. With a base curb weight of over 5100 lbs, Durango makes good use of every one of those HEMI-powered ponies. The roar of the HEMI is music to my ears, and Dodge has wisely allowed a moderate amount of engine noise to creep into the cabin. Multi-Displacement technology allows the V8 to operate on four cylinders in low-demand situations, like cruising on the highway, conserving fuel without sacrificing performance. You'll never notice the system in operation until you go to fill the 27-gallon fuel tank a little less frequently.

Taking the whole family on a road trip is really possible in Durango. With a genuinely comfortable third row in place, there's still 20.1 cubic feet of luggage space. Fold down the third row, and you've got 68.4 cubic feet of cargo room. Fold down the second row, and you can carry an elephant calf -- if that calf will fit into 102.4 cubic feet of space and weighs no more than 1500 lbs or so.

Journey's End

$40,000 is a lot of money, no matter how you slice it. If I was in the market for a Dodge Durango, I might choose to save some money by choosing one of the lower trim levels. SXT models start at just $27,150, and even the special Night Runner trim level starts at $32,905. Since I don't go off-road very often, I'd probably select a rear-wheel drive model, and be very selective about my options. I'd buy blankets for rear seat passengers, and skip the rear seat heaters, for instance. Anything to save the $1,190 I'd need for my HEMI.

If you are considering a Dodge Durango, there are several other worthy SUVs to look at. You might want to drive the slightly less tough-looking but mechanically identical Chrysler Aspen, for instance. I would also look at the Chevrolet Suburban and the Ford Expedition, both excellent American alternatives. Toyota's Sequoia and Nissan's Armada are worthy Japanese competitors, sized for the American appetite.

If you need a big, tough-looking SUV, Durango may be the vehicle to fit the bill. Do like I did, and make sure that you're as tough-looking as your SUV. Grow some stubble, buy some plaid, spit out that bubblegum and get some chaw. Hang around at truck stops and buy some Merle Haggard CDs. Okay, maybe you don't have to take it that far. But you will be driving a tough-looking SUV.



Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.