The 2019 Dodge Durango delivers muscle car ability and texture in a big, three-row SUV. Available with rear- or all-wheel drive, the Dodge Durango competes with the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. With seating for up to seven, the Durango has a conventional 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine. Two optional V-8 engines are offered: a 360-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 and a 475-hp, 6.4-liter V-8 which goes from the SRT version. All engines utilize an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 2019 Dodge Durango’s principles — such as extraordinary towing ability, available V8 engines, and adult-size seating in the row — are crucial to the enduring appeal. On the other hand, as one of the oldest vehicles in its class, the Durango is also among the heaviest — by a whole lot. That weight does affect maneuverability, real-world fuel range, and acceleration with the V6 engine.’

Seating options are aplenty in the 2019 Dodge Durango, from a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs to an available third row. Dodge’s easy-to-use and responsive Uconnect multimedia program includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard, but a bigger 8.4-inch display is optional. The available V-8 engines do provide more towing capacity (8,700 lbs.), but you should not eliminate the base V-6 because it can tow up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning cost additional.

See my review of the 2020 Durango

2019 Dodge Durango – What’s New

For 2019 the available Trailer Tow Package now includes an integrated trailer brake. The base model SXT spec can have optional leather seats, while the sporty GT spec currently shares its front-end layout and LED foglamps with the R/T and SRT models. The GT may also have an available performance hood having an air inlet and heat extractors. A 19-seaker Harman Kardon premium sound system is now available for Citadel, R/T and SRT trims.

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2019 Dodge Durango Configurations

The 2019 Dodge Durango is a three-row SUV that comes in five trim levels: SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T and SRT. All Durango versions except that the SRT are all rear-wheel-drive but can be optioned with AWD. The SRT is only available with all-wheel-drive. A seven-passenger seating configuration is standard from the SXT, the GT and the R/T, whilst second-row captain’s seats (reducing capacity to six) comes standard on the Citadel and the SRT and optional on others.

SXT

The base model 2019 Dodge Durango SXT comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 motor (295 hp, 260 pound-feet of torque) paired to an eight-speed automated transmission. Standard features include 18-inch metal wheels and tires, a load-leveling rear suspension, fog lights, heated mirrors, a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entrance, three-zone automatic climate control, a 60/40-split folding and reclining second-row chair plus a 50/50-split folding third-row chair with power-folding headrests (or rather, an choice to eliminate the third-row chair ), fabric upholstery plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Technology features include Bluetooth, two USB interfaces, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android automobile smartphone integration, and also a six-speaker sound platform.

GT

The 2019 Dodge Durango GT includes 20-inch wheels and tires, an automatic liftgate, rear parking sensors, remote ignition, an eight-way electric driver’s seat, a 115-volt socket, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and satellite radio. For 2019 the GT shares the LED fog lights and aggressive front fascia on the R/T, together with a hood that is much like the one on the SRT.

Citadel

Choosing the 2019 Dodge Durango Citadel provides you with xenon headlights, power-folding mirrors, automatic high beam headlights, automatic wipers, upgraded brakes, front parking sensors, roof-rail crossbars, a sunroof, vinyl and leather upholstery, heated front- plus second-row chairs, a six-way passenger seat, a power-adjustable steering wheel with heating, and driver-seat memory configurations, an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface plus a navigation system, plus a nine-speaker Alpine sound system with a subwoofer and HD radio.

An optional Anodized Platinum appearance package adds upgraded leather upholstery with silver accent stitching and unique interior configuration. There is also an optional 825-watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, which is also available as an option on the R/T along with the SRT.

R/T

The 2019 Dodge Durango R/T moves into high-performance realms with the 5.7-liter V8 engine (360 hp, 390 lb-ft) as standard, an updated steering system, upgraded brakes, a lowered ride height, a performance hood design, LED fog lights, leather and simulated-suede upholstery, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. The Citadel’s standard roof rails and sunroof are optional. The 5.7-liter V8 is also optional for the Citadel.

Some of the higher trims’ standard attributes are also provided on lower models as features. A Technology Group package for the Citadel and the R/T adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, a forward-collision warning system with automatic braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist. You can also add leather upholstery and ventilated seats to the R/T and the Citadel.

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SRT

Lastly, the 2019 Dodge Durango SRT spec level tops it off with a 6.4-liter V8 engine (475 hp, 470 lb-ft), performance-tuned steering, an adaptive high-performance suspension, electronically controlled limited-slip differential, update Brembo brakes, SRT Performance Pages (various changeable performance parameters), auto-leveling headlights, updated leather and simulated-suede upholstery, and power ventilated front seats.

SRT specific options include a sunroof, full leather upholstery, the rear entertainment system, the SRT Interior Appearance Group (which includes carbon-fiber accents and a soft-touch headliner), the Technology Group and the Lightweight Performance package, which eliminates the third-row seats.

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Other 2019 Dodge Durango Options

Optional on the GT and the R/T is a Brass Monkey appearance package that adds a gloss-black grille, black headlight bezels, 20-inch bronze-painted wheels and tires, and additional body-colored spec.

An optional Blacktop appearance package (also for the GT and the R/T) is comparable and matches the Durango with 20-inch black-painted wheels and tires along with many different black-out exterior spec products. Other features include black running boards and bright pedals (Mopar Running Board package); a second-row console with an armrest and storage (includes an in-console 12-volt capability socket and a USB charge port); a dual-screen rear entertainment system (with Kinect grip); and a trailer-tow package, which currently includes trailer brake controller.

Available add-ons on each Durango include a blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning system and a CD player.

2019 Dodge Durango Exterior Colors:

In-Violet

Octane Red

Redline Red

Reactor Blue

Destroyer Gray

F8 Green, Granite

Billet, DB Black

White Knuckle

Vice White

Safety Features

A rearview camera is the sole standard security feature in the 2019 Durango. Front and rear parking sensors are available. None of the higher trims add any more standard security features beyond that. However, there’s a package that includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Most rivals outfit a few of their trims with these as standard, as opposed to keeping them discretionary throughout the lineup.

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Final Thoughts

The 2019 Dodge Durango has powerful engines and above-average cargo and passenger room. Together with the easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment system, the 2019 Dodge DUrango is an OK midsize SUV. Many rivals have better interiors, more passenger space, and better agility however. You also need to take into consideration that the Durango’s abysmal predicted reliability score and have a look at a few of the other versions in this competitive category.

Using its rear-drive platform, bold truck-inspired styling, high performance V-8 engine offers and towing capacity, the Durango does not follow the normal three-row SUV template. If that is what you need, no other mainstream big SUV matches it.