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Driven: 2016 Dodge Durango R/T

SUVs, by their very nature, are droll vehicles. A modern substitution for station- or estate wagons, and a more aesthetically appealing alternative to the minivan, they are sometimes available in high-zoot, high-performance variants. The 2016 Dodge Durango R/T is an example of one of FCA’s best. When you tack on the added aggression that comes from the Blacktop trim package, the R/T becomes the Dodge Charger of SUVs.
2016 Dodge Durango R/T 43 photos
Photo: Mark Elias
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Is that enough to keep the Challenger or Charger parked in the garage the next time there is a road trip planned? Read on.

What’s it got?

The 2016 Dodge Durango R/T is a seven-passenger, four-door, unibodied SUV, powered by a 5.7-liter “yeah-it’s-got-a-hemi” V8 engine. Built on the same platform as FCA’s Jeep Grand Cherokee, it achieves 360-horsepower at 5,150 rpm, and 390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. Power gets to the wheels via an eight-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission with manual control via steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers.

The Durango rides on a suspension comprised of short steel upper- and long aluminum lower-control arms with coil springs, gas-charged twin-tube coil-over shock absorbers, and a stabilizer bar in front, while at the rear, a multi-link kit with coil springs, and twin tube shocks, which include a load leveling arrangement for towing. Steering is through an electrically power-assisted rack and pinion setup.

While our Durango R/T was outfitted with the high-tone Hemi engine, Durango buyers can stick with the standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Both engines can be equipped with available all-wheel-drive, and a single- (V6) or two-speed (V8) electronic transfer case.

From the standpoint of creature comforts, this R/T has it all. As part of that package, the Durango includes 20-inch wheels, perforated and ventilated “radar red” Nappa leather seats in front, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping functions, a power eight-way front passenger seat, rain sensitive windshield wipers, 8.4-inch premium touchscreen radio with navigation, a cargo net, cargo compartment cover and SmartBeam HID headlights.

The Uconnect system has been upgraded to include a new drag and drop menu bar that allows users to customize buttons for rapid recall on the home screen. It also includes Apple’s Siri Eyes Free, Do Not Disturb, and SiriusXM Tune Start, which allows listeners a rapid reverse to the beginning of a song, even if they were previously listening to a different channel.

2016 Dodge Durango R/T
Photo: Mark Elias
Our R/T was finished off with the Blacktop package; we rode on 20-inch x 8-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, which incidentally go a long way in hiding that menacing brake dust that seems to get over everything on modern cars. Add to that, glossy Durango badging, a gloss black grille and gloss black exterior mirrors.

But wait, there’s more. (We never get tired of that phrase.) Our tester was optioned with a rear DVD Entertainment center featuring a Blu-Ray compatible dual-screen video system with fold-up display screens located just behind the front headrests, with A/V and HDMI inputs as well as wireless Uconnect headphones. They were matched up with second-row fold and tumble captain’s chairs, which made the Durango into what was essentially a mobile screening room, perfect for some Hollywood Macher.

But in case you thought FCA threw caution to the winds, this R/T included the Technology Group’s safety features like Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop, Advanced Brake Assist and Blind Spot warning with Cross Traffic Alerts.

In addition to the R/T, the Durango is available in three other trim levels including base SXT, Limited, and Citadel. While these versions add spice and style to the Durango, it still must compete with such SUV stalwarts as the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Infiniti QX60 and Mazda CX9.

Insides count, but looks do, too

Now into its third generation, the Durango has graduated from the gawky looking adolescent to the full-blown beauty queen. The looks remind us of the resultant love child of a Ram Truck and a Porsche Cayenne. And in our book, that’s a good thing.

The blacked-out grille lends an extra air of aggression and authority to its leading edge, following over sexy hips to a well-rounded butt with full-width light bars. Similar in concept, if not exact looks, it does appear like an immediate relative to the Dodge Charger.

Inside, the Durango R/T is better, and more refined, than we remember.
A new, quieter ride is first noticed, followed by the growl of the 360- horses-if you so desire. In the mood for a different audio track? Turn on the Beats audio system to take advantage of the latest in high dB playback.

2016 Dodge Durango R/T
Photo: Mark Elias
The front seats are both sporty and accommodating for long hauls and are nearly matched in comfort by the second-row fold and tumble captain’s chairs. Surprisingly, three adults could occupy the third-row seating.

An under-the-armrest DVD player does manage to suck up most of that cubbyhole’s storage space, but it’s a small price to pay for long-haul peace of mind during family excursions. In case the kids are of the gaming variety, audio/video inputs are located in the seat backs so the ride-alongs in the way back can take advantage of the headrest-mounted display monitors. A pass-through aisle allows kids to head to the third row without having to fold a seat forward. Overall, the Durango is a stellar road tripper, whether in base or, as in our case, the Blacktop Edition.

A Wi-Fi hotspot is also on board as part of the Uconnect system, but we weren’t too impressed with the connection process or the signal (or lack thereof) that was attempting to reach our smartphone. Possibly caused by glitches or poor signal strength of the wireless carriers in our service area, we ended up disabling the service at the first hint of annoyance.

Free wheeling

The 2016 Dodge Durango R/T is a rocket as far as SUVs go. While not exactly the SRT8 Style Durango, it is similar to the Cherokee SRT8, but to our eyes, more badass than a Jeep. This is an aggressive, mean, look with blacked-out grille, black wheels, black trim, black accents and black badging. It is an SUV though, so don’t expect a corner cutter like the Challenger or a Mustang GT, but if the R/T were scoring points based on looks alone, it would it would be tracking near the front of the pack.

The Hemi underhood sports a brilliant growl, eventually giving way, through its Fuel Saver Technology, to fuel-sipping by deactivating four of the cylinders for steady, and economical highway driving. Just remember, though, when the system is deactivated to run as a full-time V8, that it does toss its gasoline back the way a sailor does a shot while on shore leave.

Kicking the R/T into sport mode probably doesn’t help either, but a push on the console-mounted button firms up the steering, activates the sports suspension and holds the throttle just a touch longer. So yes, that’s fun.

2016 Dodge Durango R/T
Photo: Mark Elias
Old and new technologies coexist inside the cabin. Still outfitted with the “push to activate and push to release” old-school parking brake, it makes a nod to contemporary styling with a rotary gear selector knob in place of the column- or console-mounted shift lever. Paddle shift levers on the steering wheel take over from there for a more engaging drive.

While the seats are gorgeously resplendent in red, they still have no massage functions, damn it. The Uconnect system is the next best thing to Apple’s CarPlay, and we are happy with it. As part of the Technology Group package, our Durango included Full Speed Forward Collision Warning plus Adaptive Cruise Control with stop. What that mouthful means is that the vehicle’s cruise control adapts a following distance via radar and controls inside that let you find your comfort zone. In the case of a sudden stop, the system will immediately sense it and slow the vehicle or stop it. Your mileage may vary, but the laws of physics won’t.

The Wrap Up

Possessing the same bones as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, we somehow think the Dodge Durango is the better of the two. But thinking how it’s bundled with better looks, similar power and pricing that’s right, the Durango R/T can hold its own against anyone else in the segment.
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