2012 Dodge Durango Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Dodge Durango overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Durango, and includes Dodge Durango safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Dodge Durango is a three-row SUV that’s based on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It competes against models like the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander.

One year after a redesigned Dodge Durango arrived in showrooms, the SUV sees few changes. The model lineup is revised, now including SXT, Crew, R/T and Citadel models. Durangos with the V6 engine and AWD get better highway fuel economy this year, and the available Hemi V8 engine is paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. All but the SXT can be outfitted with new second-row captain’s chairs, and real-time weather reports are added to the available Sirius Travel Link service. Finally, new colors include Deep Molten Red, Canyon Brown, and True Blue.

Four different versions of the 2012 Dodge Durango are available. The SXT model is the least expensive, but that doesn’t mean it is poorly equipped. It comes with the basics you would expect to find, plus triple-zone automatic climate control, a stereo with an auxiliary audio input jack and satellite radio, LED overhead lighting, and a removable and rechargeable flashlight. The exterior is dressed up with 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, automatic headlights, and dark tinted glass, and every Durango includes heated side mirrors and a fold-flat front passenger’s seat.

Among the Durango SXT’s numerous upgrades are Uconnect Voice Command technology with a USB port and Bluetooth streaming audio, a Garmin navigation system, and a hard-drive touchscreen entertainment system with a USB port. A power sunroof is also available, along with a power driver’s seat, second-row captain’s chairs, ParkSense parking sensors, and a ParkView reversing camera. A full-time all-wheel-drive system is optional, along with skid plates and trailer towing equipment.

The Durango Crew model is equipped with many of these upgrades and more. Standard features include a power liftgate, power front seats with power lumbar adjustments, keyless entry and push-button ignition, remote engine starting, ParkSense, ParkView, a hard-drive touchscreen entertainment system, and an Infinity premium sound system. Wait, that’s not all. The Crew model also offers a standard roof rack, cargo compartment cover, memory system for the driver’s settings, a HomeLink universal remote, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a security alarm. Additional features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 115-volt power outlet, and side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators and auto-dimming glass on the driver’s side.

Options for the Durango Crew include leather, heated front and rear seats, rear seat entertainment with Sirius Backseat TV service, Uconnect Phone hands-free calling and music streaming, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and GPS navigation with Sirius Travel Link service. The Durango Crew can be equipped with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, an active on-demand all-wheel-drive system, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, as well as rain-sensing wipers, SmartBeam auto-dimming headlights, and a Blind-spot Monitor with Rear Cross-path Detection.

The Durango R/T intends to bring attitude to the lineup, but it’s mostly cosmetic. Sure, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is standard equipment, but the only other notable hardware upgrade is a sport-tuned suspension. Otherwise, what constitutes the R/T model is looks: 20-inch Satin Carbon wheels, unique front styling with HID SmartBeam headlights, extra body-color trim, dual exhaust outlets, and vinyl-bolstered seats with suede inserts. Options are similar to the Crew model, though the R/T is also offered with an Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning system.

The most luxurious Durango is the Citadel, which comes loaded with almost everything. In addition to HID SmartBeam headlights, exteriors are dipped in extra chrome trim, including the 20-inch aluminum wheels. A power sunroof is also standard, along with heated and ventilated Nappa leather front seats, heated second-row seats, an eight-way power front passenger’s seat, and a perforated leather-wrapped, power tilt-and-telescopic heated steering wheel. Navigation, Uconnect Phone with Bluetooth streaming music capability, real-time traffic and weather reports, and rain-sensing wipers are included on the Citadel model, along with Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection.

Since everything is pretty much standard on the Citadel, it comes as no surprise to learn that options are limited to a Hemi V8 engine, all-wheel drive, trailer towing equipment, skid plates, second-row captain’s chairs, and a rear seat entertainment system with Sirius Backseat TV.

All Durangos except the R/T model come standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine making 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. A five-speed automatic gets power to the ground through the rear or all four wheels, and the EPA says that fuel economy ratings are 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway even with AWD.

A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a Fuel Saver mode is standard on the Durango R/T and optional on Crew and Citadel models. It makes 360 horsepower at 5,150 rpm and 390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm, and is connected to a new-for-2012 six-speed automatic transmission with full manual gear-change control. With rear-wheel drive, the Durango V8 is rated 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. All-wheel-drive models are expected to return 13-city/20-highway.

Two AWD systems are available on the 2012 Durango. A full-time AWD setup is offered with the V6 engine, while V8 models are optionally equipped with an on-demand AWD system.

Dodge lists six airbags, traction and stability control, hill start assist, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with ready alert braking, and trailer sway control as the Durango’s standard safety features. Options include ParkSense parking sensors, a ParkView reversing camera, and Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-path Detection. This latter feature helps identify hidden vehicles in the Durango’s blind spots, and can also determine whether traffic is approaching from the sides when reversing from a blind parking spot or driveway.

The Durango can also be equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning. Using a radar unit mounted at the front of the SUV, adaptive cruise control can automatically maintain safe following distances and speeds with traffic ahead, and can also determine if the Durango’s close rate on slowing or stopped traffic is too rapid, and emits a warning that a collision is about to occur.

In the event the Durango is involved in a collision, know that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Durango a Top Safety Pick rating for 2012, according to Dodge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not tested the Durango’s crashworthiness as this review is written.

Similarly, Consumer Reports offers no reliability predictions for the Durango as the data for this review is compiled. However, J.D. Power and Associates found that owners rate their Durangos among the best in this vehicle class for initial quality. J.D. Power is hedging its bets when making reliability predictions, however, giving the Durango an average rating.

When used as a five-passenger SUV, the built-in-Detroit 2012 Dodge Durango offers 47.7 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat. When the third-row is in use, space drops to 17.7 cubes, barely more than a typical midsize sedan. Maximize cargo-toting capability, and the Durango can swallow 84.5 cu-ft of stuff. Plus, every model includes a handy fold-flat front passenger’s seat.

Towing is one area where the Durango does better than your typical crossover SUV. With the standard V6, maximum tow capability is 6,200 pounds. Add the Hemi V8 engine, and you’ll be able to tug an extra 1,200 lbs. for a total of 7,400.

Forget about what you think you know about the Dodge Durango, because the latest edition of this family-size SUV is definitely worthy of consideration. Based on the same stout and sophisticated platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the three-row Durango provides a deft blend of traditional SUV towing and hauling capability combined with crossover SUV ride and handling. Plus, it looks good on the outside and is outfitted with quality materials on the inside.

Yeah, we know. That doesn’t sound like a Dodge Durango at all.

Vehix evaluated a Durango Citadel with rear-wheel drive and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. We spent a week covering hundreds of miles with the family aboard, driving it on our standard test loop near Los Angeles, and performing daily commutes and errands. At the end of our time with the Durango, we had trouble identifying any flaws, unless you count our 18.4-mpg fuel economy average as problematic.

Our complaints are limited to rear doors that are rather long and which make loading children difficult in tight parking spaces. We also found that the tailgate needs to rise a little higher when opened to its maximum height; taller people are likely to hit their heads on the corners if they’re not careful.

Otherwise, the Durango is one of those vehicles that we suspect will be passed up in favor of other models from other brands with a better reputation. That’s unfortunate, because the Durango is spacious, comfortable, and upscale, equipped with impressive front seat legroom and a surprisingly accommodating third-row seat. Cargo space is generous, too.

Better yet, the Durango drives exceptionally well, and unless you’re planning to tow a trailer, the V6 engine is likely to satisfy all requirements. From the ride quality to its handling capability, and from steering to braking, the Durango is a competent and confidence-inspiring SUV without any of the slop common to the class.

Though all the data still isn’t in yet, we’re confident that the Dodge Durango is worthy of recommendation. You’ll trade some fuel economy for extra off-roading, towing, and hauling capability, but by all existing indications the handsome Durango is safe and constructed with care.

By Christian Wardlaw