Eric's Autos: 2025 Dodge Durango

You have probably heard that Dodge has stopped selling V8-powered Chargers and Challengers. And you may know that Ram 1500 trucks (and Jeeps) are no longer available with V8s either.

But there is one new Dodge vehicle still available with the V8s -- plural -- you can no longer get in other Dodge (or Jeep/Ram) vehicles.

It's the 2025 Durango.

Last of the Mohicans.

What It Is

The Durango is a slightly larger-than-midsize, three-row SUV based on the no-longer-made Dakota pickup.

It's a little larger than a Ford Explorer -- but not as large as a Chevy Tahoe.

It's also a kind of living fossil in that it has not changed much since the 2011 model year -- which is a happy thing, if you're someone who prefers SUVs as they were made 14 years ago, before turbocharged fours replaced standard V6s (and turbocharged, hybridized V6s replaced big V8s).

It's available with either a full-time all-wheel-drive system or a four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case (and Low range gearing) or just rear-wheel drive.

Prices start at $41,995 for the base GT trim, which is RWD and comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 (no turbo). A full-time AWD system is available as a standalone option.

So equipped, the GT stickers for $43,995.

The R/T -- which stickers for $54,495 to start -- comes standard with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and either the full-time AWD system or a 4WD system that incudes a two-speed transfer case and 2.72 low-range gearing.

Also available is the Hellcat iteration -- which comes standard with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. As this is the final iteration of the Hellcat, Dodge is offering it in three different trims -- Silver Bullet, Hammerhead and Brass Monkey.

All three carry the same MSRP: $113,325.

What's New for 2025

The three Hellcat trims are new for what will likely be the last year you'll be able to buy the 6.2-liter supercharged V8.

Or any V8.

What's Good

-- The only SUV its size that offers a standard third row, a standard V6 -- and two optional V8s.

-- Does not come standard with the array of "driver assistance technology" -- such as Lane Keep Assist -- that is generally standard equipment in newer-design SUVs such as the Explorer (which is not available with a V8) and the Jeep Grand Cherokee (which only has two rows of seats and is also no longer available with a V8).

-- Stout (8,700 pounds) max towing capacity.

What's Not So Good

-- Big jump in price ($12,500) to get a V8 rather than the standard V6.

-- Hellcats with the supercharged V8 are exotically priced.

-- Probably your last chance to buy a Durango with a V6 -- let alone a V8.

Under the Hood

The Durango's standard engine is the 3.6-liter V6 that used to be commonly found in numerous Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram truck vehicles. It is now found in just a few of them, such as the Durango's cousin, the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The V6 makes 295 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic and your pick of rear-drive (standard) or (optionally) full-time AWD system that automatically routes power to the pair of axles -- front or rear -- that have the most traction. Unlike most crossover-type AWD systems, the Durango's usually sends most of the engine's power to the rear rather than the front wheels.

Equipped with this engine, the Durango can pull up to 6,200 pounds.

If you want a V8, you have your pick of two.

The first is the 5.7-liter V8 that was recently available in many Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram truck models that is now available only in the Durango. It has been replaced -- in those other models -- by an inline six that's turbocharged, which is fine if that's what you're wanting. But if you'd prefer a V8, the Durango's still available with one.

This one makes 360 horsepower and is also paired with the eight-speed automatic and comes standard with the AWD system -- but you can select a heavier-duty 4WD system with Low range gearing that provides extra leverage for slogging through deep, unplowed snow and mud.

The R/T comes standard with a 7,200-pound max tow rating that can be increased to 8,700 pounds -- class highest -- by opting for the Tow & Go package.

There's one more V8 still available. It is the supercharged 6.2-liter version of the Hemi that was until recently available in Hellcat versions of the Dodge Charger and Challenger as well as the Trackhawk versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, among others. It is now available exclusively -- and finally -- in the Hellcat version of the Durango.

This engine makes 710 horsepower -- enough to launch this midsize SUV to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and through the quarter-mile in the high 11-second range.

On the Road

The Durango is a kind of Goldilocks SUV in that it isn't as big as a full-size SUV like a Chevy Tahoe or a Ford Expedition but is bigger than midsize SUVs such as the Ford Explorer.

It feels almost full-size (and almost is) but isn't so big that it's hard to fit in a typical garage or in between two other parked vehicles at the supermarket.

But what really sets it apart is the six it comes standard with -- and the V8s it can be optioned with. One more thing to like about the Hellcat'd Durango -- and all the other Durangos too -- is that none of them try to parent your driving unless you freely want them to, by choosing to pay extra for "driver assistance technology," such as the obnoxious Lane Keep Assist that is essentially unavoidable in pretty much everything else.

Here, it's optional, which means you can skip it -- and just drive this Dodge without an electronic nanny countermanding your driving.

At the Curb

As mentioned earlier, the Durango is unusual in that it is larger than other SUVs such as the Explorer and is the only SUV its size that offers a standard third row. Depending on your preferences -- captain's chairs or second-row bench -- this Dodge can seat six or seven people.

There are a number of crossovers this size -- such as the Kia Telluride -- that come standard with three rows (and a V6), but they are lighter-duty vehicles that do not offer V8s or real 4WD (with a two-speed transfer case and Low range gearing). Not that there is anything wrong with crossovers -- but the relevant point is that they're not SUVs and not made to pull an 8,700-pound trailer and aren't able to do burnouts.

So if you're wanting an SUV, the fact that a crossover has a third row is as irrelevant as the merits of lean chicken breasts are to the guy who wants a New York strip steak.

The Rest

This is it, folks.

Your last chance to buy a new Dodge with a Hemi V8 rather than a turbo-hybrid six (or a battery and electric motors). It is much like the scene circa 1974 -- half a century ago -- when the last of the V8 Challengers rolled off the line.

The Bottom Line

What was it that poem said about gathering ye rosebuds while ye may?

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Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.