SUVs and trucks rule the world these days, as more and more people flock to the utilitarian vehicles and move away from the traditional sedans and coupes – so much so that automakers are cancelling sedans and coupes from future product plans.
With so much emphasis on SUVs these days, it was only a matter of time before a car company introduced an ultra high-performance version to replace good old sports cars. Welcome to the new generation of sports vehicles: the Dodge Durango SRT.
As far as a three-row SUV goes, the 2019 Dodge Durango SRT blows the competition out of the water with regards to performance and capability. The SRT comes equipped with a HEMI V-8 engine that is best in class and won’t leave you wanting more. While the 2019 model remains mostly the same as last year, there are new brakes and some minor features that have been added for style.
The SRT is unlike any other SUVs in the market – at least in this price range – as it delivers jaw dropping performance and acceleration only matched by SUVs costing twice its price. At close to $70,000, the Durango SRT is priced much higher than typical SUVs, but think of it as a bargain priced Range Rover SVR or Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
Design & Features
Mean and cool, the SRT looks like an SUV version of a Dodge Viper from decades ago. This vehicle means business and you know this isn’t a normal SUV the minute you see it in your rear view mirror (before it passes you!). The exterior of the Durango SRT is imposing from any angle, with a muscular wide-body and functional performance hood, though it should be noted that the basic body style of the Durango hasn’t changed since 2011.
A few minor changes round out the SRT for 2019, and include optional red seat belts, new wheel designs in either Matte Vapor or Burnished Bronze, and many other little highlights. With three rows, the Dodge Durango can be configured in up to 50 ways. There is a spacious 2,406 litres of cargo capacity available for all of your stuff.
Technology has been updated for the 2019 SRT and drivers now have the option to enjoy their driving experience with a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system. The Uconnect system has many features including “Voice Text Reply” in which the vehicle will read out incoming texts, and you can reply with any of 18 preset responses.
There is an option for rear entertainment including two nine-inch screens that allow passengers to view Blu-ray or DVD movies as well as connect HDMI or RCA cables to their gaming consoles. If this option is selected, it comes with wireless headphones and a wireless remote as well and costs a cool $2,150.
Performance
The Dodge Durango SRT packs a punch under the hood with a 6.4-litre HEMI V-8 engine, providing an impressive 475 horsepower and 470 foot-pounds of torque. This means that it can blast from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.4 seconds. The SRT will give you 12.2 litres/100 kilometres of fuel efficiency on the highway, and a disappointing 18.3 l/100 km in the city.
But the numbers don’t do justice – you have to drive this beast to feel the heat and intensity. This vehicle plants you to your seats like an aircraft taking off, and doesn’t let go until you ease up on the gas pedal. Unlike the turbocharged and supercharged engines of the modern SUVs, the SRT doesn’t rely on any bolted on equipment to produce this immense power and torque. You just never get tired of stepping on the gas of the SRT – driving this vehicle is addictive, to say the least, though the ride can be rough at times.
The handling is predictable, the vehicle tracks straight as an arrow, and the cornering is excellent considering its hefty size and weight. The SRT feels very different from vehicles like the BMW X5M, Mercedes AMG, or even Porsche Cayenne Turbo – these vehicles offer more luxury features and upscale design but feel “light” and maybe even underwhelming when compared directly to the V-8 SRT.
The SRT also overshadows many other SUVs with a great towing capacity, able to tow an incredible 3,946 kilograms (8,700 pounds). As it is a heavy vehicle itself, AWD helps to balance the weight distribution and complement its world-class suspension.
This year the SRT comes equipped with light, high-performance Brembo brakes with two-piece rotors. The eight-speed automatic transmission comes with an Eco mode and allows for efficient, speedy acceleration. Dual exhaust with five-inch outlets are paired with everything else to take the SRT’s performance ability to the next level.
Even though there are more than 60 standard and available features for the Dodge Durango, it’s unfortunate that key safety features such as collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning are optional (as part of a $1,450 technology package).
Summary
Dodge refers to the Durango SRT as “the six-seat SUV with street cred.” This bold claim is due to the fact that the SRT is the fastest, most powerful and most capable SUV on the market today.
With very few competitors in the market at this price range, the SRT stands alone as a unique ultra performance SUV. And while the $69,845 base price is high, it seems like a bargain when compared to SUVs with similar performance, namely cars like the BMW X5M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and Range Rover SVR – there are really no domestic or Asian competitors with similar performance. But act quickly, because with the current trend of introducing more and more hybrids and electric cars, it’s only a matter of time before a SUV with a 6.4-litre V-8 engine is wiped from the face of this earth.
editor@automotivepress.com
