2021 Dodge Durango

With the addition of the most powerful SUV trim on the market and the highest tow rating in its class, the 2021 Dodge Durango offers comfort, style, and safety. As a powerful midsize SUV, the Durango earns its moniker "for muscle car people with families." Use this guide to learn what you can expect with this burly vehicle.

Power for the 2021 Durango comes from four engine options. Also, rear-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmission are standard, but you can opt for all-wheel drive. The standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine produces 293 horsepower with the single exhaust and 295 with the dual exhaust. It is rated at 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim comes with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine that puts out 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The other Hemi V-8 engine is a 6.4-liter one that is good for 475 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The most impressive option is reserved for the SRT Hellcat trim. This supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine was originally found on two of Dodge's other vehicles: the Challenger and Charger. You get a massive 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque with this engine, making this engine the most powerful in any SUV.

The Durango attains average fuel economy numbers compared to others in its class. With the standard engine and rear-wheel drive, expect to get 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel drive lowers those numbers by 1 mpg. The 5.7-liter V-8 achieves 14 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, and the 6.4-liter Hemi gets 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Boasting the highest towing capacity in its class, the Durango also has a better maximum towing capacity compared to all compact pickup trucks and many full-size ones. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 8,700 pounds.

All 2021 Durango trims except the base one seat seven people due to three rows of seats including two rows of bench seats. Opting for second-row captain's chairs reduces that number to six passengers. The base trim seats five people across two rows of seats. An addition for 2021 is a larger touch-screen display. The previous standard 7-inch and optional 8.4-inch displays are replaced with a standard 8.4-inch and optional 10.1-inch touch-screen display. With either option, you receive an intuitive Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a straightforward menu. It comes standard with voice recognition, satellite radio, four USB ports, and Bluetooth. You also gain access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Available upgrades include Amazon Alexa connectivity, HD radio, navigation, extra USB ports, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging.

Although the Durango only comes standard with a rearview camera, it has an abundance of available safety features. Some of these notable ones include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic high-beam headlights.