What Is The Best Dodge Durango To Buy?
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The Dodge Durango has been a family favorite SUV for well over 20 years.
It has seen three generations and multiple redesigns over its lifespan.
With so many years to choose from and an extensive variety of packages, it can be difficult to decide which Dodge Durango to buy.
What Is The Best Dodge Durango To Buy?
The R/T Plus package is the best model of Dodge Durango to buy. It has impressive power and also maximizes the high tech and comfort features. When buying used, the 2015 or 2018 models will be best because they mark significant updates in the third generation of Dodge Durangos.
While the R/T Plus is the absolute best money can buy, different packages may be better for different lifestyles.
If you are looking to save money by buying used, there are a few key patterns to look out for.
Dodge Durango R/T Plus
The newest Dodge Durangos (2022) come with seven different package options.
Prices range from $35,475 MSRP with the SXT up to $66,670 with the SRT 392.
No matter what model you buy, the Durango is a high-power vehicle, but there is certainly room to upgrade horsepower and torque as the price tag goes up.
You will also see extra convenient features added to the more expensive packages.
The best model of 2022 Dodge Durango is the R/T plus.
It is on the pricier side, but it offers plenty of power for almost any driver, and it comes with all the comfort and safety features that you want and needs out of a brand new car.
The MSRP for the 2022 Dodge Durango R/T Plus is $52,620.
You can choose All-Wheel Drive or Four-Wheel Drive with a 5.7L V8 engine.
With this engine, Dodge promises a max output of 360 HP and 390 Lb-Ft of torque which allows for a generous maximum towing capacity of 8,900.
You can get a higher towing load with a more expensive model, but nearly 9,000 pounds should be sufficient for most people.
Every 2022 Dodge Durango includes a touchscreen, but the R/T Plus has an extra-large 10.1-inch touchscreen.
The tech system supports connection with Android or Apple products, and there is even a built-in wireless charging pad.
The audio system has 19 premium speakers to create an incredible listening experience.
One of the most important reasons to pay a little extra for a better model is the additional safety features.
Driving a big car requires a lot of attention and responsibility, especially if you are towing something or using it as a family vehicle.
The R/T Plus will monitor your blind spot, your position within the lane markings, and your following distance.
If needed, it will alert you to any unexpected issues and take action to avoid collisions.
It also has adaptive cruise control that makes long-distance traveling so much easier.
To add luxury to your travel experience, all three rows of seats are trimmed in Napa leather.
The front seats have both heating and ventilation, and the front control panel is wrapped.
This model also includes a powered sunroof.
The R/T Plus balances the importance of high power and extreme safety with the convenience of high-tech features and enough luxury to make driving an easy and enjoyable experience.
Other Dodge Durango models
In order of increasing price, the 2022 Dodge Durango model options are the SXT, GT, GT Plus, R/T, Citadel, R/T Plus, and the SRT 392.
Generally, this is the order of increasing power and improved features too.
If you are buying based on your power needs, the first three models have a 3.6L V6 engine, either 293 or 295 HP, and a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds.
The R/T Plus shares the same engine as the R/T and the Citadel.
The R/T also shares power states, but the Citadel is slightly weaker with 295 HP and 6,200-pound max towing capacity.
The SRT 395 is only worth the extra money if you need the extra power that it offers.
It has the largest engine and can produce 475 HP.
If safety is your main concern, several models come with the same safety package as the R/T Plus.
The GT Plus, Citadel, and SRT 392 will also have a comprehensive safety monitoring system.
The R/T Plus does have the best speaker system, but the only other major difference in dashboard tech is the size of the touch screen.
The screen on the three cheapest models is only 8.4 inches.
2015 Dodge Durango
Buying used is a great way to save a lot of money, and it also opens up a lot of options for what year to buy.
Generally, the older a car is the cheaper it will be.
But there’s also a reason people don’t purchase the oldest car possible.
You want to balance price with the features you want and the reliability you need.
It will usually be your best choice to buy the year after a major update.
That way, you are getting the oldest and cheapest year that still includes the major update.
It can be risky to buy the first year of an update because there are often small issues that need to be worked.
Purchasing the year after an update strikes the perfect balance.
The 2014 Dodge Durango featured an engine update with brand new 8-speed transmission.
It also included updated styling that gave the SUV a more modern look.
Giving Dodge a year to work out any complaints about the new engine and styling is recommended
This will be an affordable option for most families, while still being new enough to have the updates.
The MSRP on a 2015 Dodge Durango ranges from $30,495 to $43,895.
2018 Dodge Durango
If you want the convenience of modern technology and can afford to buy a little newer, the 2018 model is a great option.
This is the year that started integrating smartphone connections, both Apple and Android users.
As a result of the connectivity, the tech features in 2018 are greatly improved when compared to previous years.
This year also introduced a new SRT version with 475 HP.
Since the main improvements were technology-based rather than in the engine, you don’t need to worry about waiting a year for Dodge to work out the kinks.
The 2018 Dodge Durango is still very affordable, especially if purchasing one of the cheaper packages.
The MSRP runs from $29,995 to $62,995.