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So how did the Durango fare off-road?
We took it out to our test area to have a go at the dirt
and rocks. We had recently had quite a bit of rain so we
were careful not to get into more than we thought the truck
could handle. The entrance to the test area has a gully
that must first be traversed. We immediately learned the
limits of the 25.1 degree departure angle, as we dragged
the hitch over the edge of the road. After realigning ourselves,
we entered the trailhead and stuck the truck in 2 Lo. With
our 265/70R16 All Terrains on 16x8" wheels, we headed
for the muddy hill ahead. It didn't take long before we
had met our match. With no limited slip in this truck, we
were not going to get far in this Alabama muck. Having nobody
else with us to help out, we felt it wise to turn back and
head for our second test area.
The goal of this area was simply see
if the Durango could climb a long and steep hill. The Durango
comes standard with 3.55 gears with a 3.92 optional ratio.
With the 3.55 gears, and the 2.72 low range, even without
a limited slip, our confidence was high that the Durango
was built to handle real trails after looking underneath
the truck and seeing the massive corporate 9.25" rear
axle, which is standard in the V8 4x4 models.
Though the previous trail was completely
slathered in mud, this hill was much drier. My hopes high,
I headed for the hill up to what is affectionately called
"The Rock." The Durango did, in fact, climb the
hill, however, once we reached a step near the top, the
independent front end's lack of flex and lack of a locking
rear once again showed us the limits of this truck, so we
called it a day.
It never ceases to amaze us that the
car manufacturers can build 4x4 trucks with heavy duty components
for off-road use and not include the $251 limited slip in
the package. When spending $33,000 for a Durango, the extra
couple of bucks a month can make the difference between
a truck that can hit some dirt trails around the ranch or
to the fishing hole and a truck that can really go wherever
you want to go. In addition, in snowy areas of the country,
the limited slip can mean either staying home or heading
out for groceries. If you plan on buying a Durango don't
leave this option off your list.
The interior of the Durango is all
Dodge. Even without seeing a logo, you can tell a Dodge
when you're in it. The dash trim and knobs come close to
being nice without ever quite getting there. This is one
area where we wish the Durango wasn't so trucky and wish
Dodge would spend a little more time and attention. However,
6-way power seats were fully adjustable and the leather
was of good quality look and feel. In addition, the 4 speaker
stereo system did a great job of providing the soundtrack
while in the urban jungle (an available 8 speaker Infiniti
system is available).
As for creature comforts, Durangos
come with dual-zone heating and air standard. Though this
is a nice feature, we have yet to drive a vehicle where
both front passengers were ever really happy. The rear passengers
also get their own HVAC controls. But once you get the temperature
right, you have plenty of places to store those very important
beverages. The front passengers get 3 cup holders, two of
which are adjustable, while the third is a fixed-size, gigantic
one. The rear passengers also have their share of holder,
which include two additional spots in the fold-down center
arm rest, while the third row also got their own sets.
What sets this eight-seater apart from
much of its competition is the utility part of Sport Utility
Vehicle. While some SUVs try to make themselves out to be
great people and cargo haulers, the Durango truly fits the
bill. The seats fold down in a unique manner that requires
little effort once you figure out how to do it. The back
seats and stadium-style third row seats fold down almost
entirely flat, revealing perhaps the most cavernous cargo
area we've seen to date, providing 88 cubic feet of storage
area. In fact, there is even a rear hideaway storage compartment
in the rear to stow even more of your extra goodies.
Dodge has worked hard over the last
decade or so to establish themselves as a the most genuine
truck brand. When the new-style Rams appeared on the scene,
they caused a whole new trend in the truck market with their
big-rig style crosshair front grills and larger-than-life
features. That full-size truck styling then cascaded through
the line into the Dakotas and the Durangos.
Not only has Dodge stayed true to themselves
by building a genuine SUV in Durango, but they have created
a bold, sporty vehicle with real truck underpinnings. Bravo
Dodge!
For
more information on Dodge trucks, visit www.dodge.com
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