RPM News Weekly

By Peter Ciani, RPM News Weekly Co-Founder ~

There are several definitions for the term ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ to be found online. Merriam-Webster defines the SUV as, “A rugged automotive vehicle similar to the station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis.” Whereas, Oxford Dictionary simply says, “A high-performance four-wheel-drive vehicle.”

The category Sport Utility Vehicle kind of says it all, Sport = fun, Utility = usefulness, and Vehicle = well…vehicle.

So, when you Google-search the term Sport Utility Vehicle the very first picture that comes up shouldn’t be a Honda CR-V (really, Google?) it should be RPM News Weekly’s test car this week, the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT.

Why? Simply put, it’s got plenty of utility and a hell of a lot of sport.

While the Merriam-Webster definition is probably more accurate, we’ll stick with the Oxford definition for the sake of this article. Somewhat because ‘high-performance four-wheel-drive vehicle’ sounds cooler, but mostly because it also best defines the Durango SRT.

With that in mind, let’s break down the two sides of the Durango SRT’s split personality.

The Sport:

First the sport side of the Durango SRT – the real reason you are reading this:

As the 392 badge on the fender indicates, the Durango SRT comes equipped with a 392-cubic-inch HEMI V-8, producing 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine comes paired with an eight-speed TorqueFlight Automatic and SRT performance-tuned all-wheel-drive.

The Durango SRT also includes a performance-tuned suspension with Bilstein adaptive damping. What this combination delivers is Dodge Challenger-like performance in a 3-row family wagon, which really shouldn’t maneuver as well as it does.

Sure, you’re not going to outmaneuver the average sports car driver on a track day, but it still makes for some fun moments on the highway on-ramps. In truth, that’s what most of us will use it for anyway. And after all, it is taller and a bit heavier than the Challenger and the Charger. Still, you can definitely feel the Dodge SRT performance DNA.

In straight-line performance, zero to 60 in the Durango SRT takes 4.4 seconds, covering the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds as certified by the National Hot Rod Association. By comparison, the 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack widebody runs zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds with a quarter-mile of 12.4 seconds and that car is over 1000-pounds lighter than the Durango SRT.

Stopping power comes from Brembo six-piston calipers with 15-inch vented rotors in the front, and Brembo four-piston calipers with 13.78-inch rotors in the rear. 

The Durango SRT-specific all-wheel-drive transfer case can adjust the torque split automatically, sending more power to the rear wheels depending on the driving situation. Track Mode sends 70% of the power to the rear wheels while the Sport mode adjusts the balance to 65% rear and 35% front. Snow and Tow mode evenly balance the torque split at 50/50. 

Side note, I did get a chance to try the snow mode in light, but really slick snow and ice. It tempted me to find an empty parking lot to play around in, but I found that the back end of our test car wanted to break loose a bit under acceleration, which isn’t too much of a surprise, though I’m not sure if it was the Durango or the tires. I’m leaning more toward the tires and would love to test drive it again with a dedicated winter tire.

Inside, SRT models include Performance Nappa leather/suede black seats and a leather-wrapped center console armrest. Our 2020 test model was equipped with the optional SRT interior package ($2,495) that adds real carbon-fiber interior accents, a Dinamica soft-touch headliner, and a premium wrapped instrument panel. 

The Utility:

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Well yeah, it moves quickly and corners well, but what about the Utility side of the equation? 

To start, at its core, the Durango SRT is a three-row SUV that can comfortable carry up to six passengers. Second-row Fold-and-Tumble captain’s chairs come standard on the Durango SRT and can be upgraded with an optional rear center console. 

If you are wanting to lighten things up, or are simply looking for an excuse to carry less people around, the no-cost-option ‘Lightweight Performance Package’ replaces the second row captain’s chairs with a 60/40 split fold bench seat and deletes the third row all together.

Passenger capacity is reduced to five, but in return, you get a handy storage area and the ability to tell that one extra person, “Sorry, there’s no room for you in my car”.

The Durango SRT offers just over 85 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which surprisingly is a bit less space than the 87.8 cubic feet of the Ford Explorer. But then again, the Explorer can’t do four-wheel burnouts, so I guess we must make sacrifices where necessary. 

Despite its performance focus, the Durango SRT doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of towing, maxing out at 8,700 pounds. That is 300 pounds more towing capacity than the larger Chevrolet Tahoe.

BTW, if you like putting cargo on the roof, then you’ll have to opt for the optional black roof rails with integrated crossbars. Personally, I think it looks cleaner without the roof rails. 

The Looks:

Speaking of looks, as with its dual personalities, the Durango SRT also pulls off two looks at once. 

Upfront you have the “yes, I’m related to the Charger” front end styling that also includes a performance-style hood featuring a center air intake flanked by functional heat extractors. For 2021, all Durango models get revised front end styling that includes standard LED headlights and LED fog lights that are mounted higher in the bumper for a more aggressive appearance. SXT and Citadel models adopt a grille style similar to the SRT.

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Outback, there’s really not much to differentiate the SRT from the other trims in the Durango line-up. All models include a rear spoiler and Dodge’s signature LED lighting with red accenting.

While the Durango SRT’s styling will definitely stand out to most automotive fans, to the average joe it may be somewhat invisible when ordered in a more muted color and without the aforementioned roof rails. In other words, if you’d like to remain under the (police) radar go with a color like Granite (grey), or Reactor Blue Pearl, like our test model. Skip the Red, or In-Violet – a color that for some reason reminds me of the Chrysler Cirrus / Dodge Intrepid era.

But Wait, There’s Less!

Okay, so you’re sold on the 2021 Durango SRT, but your wife laughs at you when you tell her that it starts at $69,995. Then what? When it comes to Dodge, of course there are alternatives. For some of us (most of us) more budget-minded folks, this is where the Durango R/T comes in. 

With the Durango R/T you get all of the looks and a lot of the same standard features as the Durango SRT for about $18K less. 

Like the SRT, the R/T features the same hood and front facia and when optioned with similar wheels the two are nearly identical, as evident in the photos below. One is an R/T the other an SRT, spot the differences?

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Unfortunately, what you don’t get in the R/T is that 392 Hemi along with the specially tuned driveline. The R/T gets the tried-and-true 5.7-liter Hemi which produces 360-horsepower and 390-pound feet of torque. Sure, it’s not 475-horsepower, but it’s no slouch either, and considering there’s so much aftermarket support for the 5.7, you’re really only a supercharger kit away from matching, or even besting the 392’s power.

I’m guessing most people won’t go to that extreme. In fact, all you really need for the R/T to be the hero of your child’s school pick up line is a decent aftermarket exhaust and some 392 badges from Amazon.

 Towing capacity remains the same as the SRT. Plus, the R/T also comes with a lowered, performance suspension, but you lose the SRT’s active dampers.

On the practical side, the R/T comes with standard seating for seven passengers. This is something that even the SRT version can’t do. 

But Wait, There IS More (Coming)!

Let’s just say you don’t want to drive a 5.7L equipped Durango R/T with added 392 badges and an aftermarket exhaust. Or, maybe even the 392 Hemi isn’t good enough for you. Perhaps you daily drive a Challenger SRT Demon already, so your bar is already set pretty high.

Well, you’re in luck, too, buddy, because just like you some insane engineers at Dodge also decided that a ‘regular’ SRT Durango wasn’t good enough. 

But, how do you make the ultimate Sport + Utility Vehicle better? 

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Along with the slight exterior and interior update, the 2021 Dodge Durango introduces a new, limited-production Durango SRT Hellcat model, complete with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8.

Besides the engine upgrade, the Durango SRT Hellcat also gets a more aggressive front facia, functional SRT hood scoop, and a wide-body appearance. The SRT Hellcat also ditches the LED fog lights to make room for more airflow.

Dodge is calling the Durango SRT Hellcat the most powerful SUV ever, and with the Supercharged 6.2-Liter delivering 710-horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, I guess you can’t argue.

Official specs for the Durango SRT: Zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds; quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds with a top speed of 180 mph.

As an added bonus, people who purchase the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat will receive a full day of professional instruction at The Bondurant High-Performance Driving School in Arizona.

Performance driving school for your family SUV. Why? It’s the brotherhood of muscle…that’s why.