What Is Dodge’s Best Midsize SUV?

All about the 2022 Dodge Durango—Dodge’s answer to the midsize SUV segment.
Written by Thidas Senanayaka
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Compared to competitors, Dodge’s SUV line-up isn’t as comprehensive, but it still has some good things to offer. The 2022 Dodge Durango is a 3-row midsize with a good reputation for performance and practicality. 
The midsize SUV is almost famously known as the vehicle family you get when you’re part of a growing family and can’t do with a small sedan or compact, but can’t handle the thought of a minivan either. The 3-row Durango is Dodge’s answer to this dilemma and comes with both the space and a little bit of the muscle that Dodge is known for. 
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Does Dodge have a midsize SUV?

Yes! The Dodge lineup in the midsize SUV is quite straightforward—they have one 3-row midsize SUV and that is the 2022 Dodge Durango. While it has a good offering of sedans that pack quite a bit of muscle, its SUV line leaves much to be desired, with the Durango last being redesigned in 2011. 
Since there isn’t much choice in the category, we’ll look at the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat as well. While it is a year older than the 2022 model, it is essentially a muscle car with three rows of seating that sometimes outshines its newer counterpart and it wasn’t continued in 2022. 

What makes a midsize SUV?

Put simply, a midsize SUV is a healthy compromise between a compact SUV and a full-size, standard SUV. These have risen in popularity in recent years, being perfect for everyone from off-roading adventurers to growing families due to their spacious interior and focus on performance. 

Is the Dodge Hornet a midsize SUV? 

The Dodge Hornet isn’t technically a midsize SUV. It’s considered more of a crossover—the difference is the chassis that the vehicle is built on. The traditional SUV uses a heavier truck chassis while the crossover is lighter and built on a car platform. An SUV’s frame and body are built separately while a crossover’s body and frame are built in a single unit. 
MORE: Dodge Ram 2500 towing capacity

2021 vs. 2022: which is the better mid-size Dodge SUV?

Now that you know the basics, let’s take a quick look at what both vehicles have to offer. Remember—the 2021 Durango Hellcat variant was discontinued in 2022. This is an intriguing choice to make with a lot of nuances. 

2022 Dodge Durango

MSRP range: $37,760 to $68,960
MPG: 13-19 city/19-26 hwy
Seating for: 7 passengers
The 2022 Durango is a good mix of capability and style. With powerful engines driving all of its trim levels while maintaining a spacious interior for all your practical needs, Dodge has infused this vehicle with its signature muscle while maintaining family-friendliness. 
You have a choice between a V6 or one of two V8 engines with rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive if you prefer it. There are five trim levels to know of: SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel, and SRT 392. 
The SXT, GT, and Citadel are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that can fetch up to 295 horsepower. Dodge replaces the V6 with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that can go up to 360 horsepower in the R/T trim—though it’s also available on the Citadel as well. And finally, the SRT (the spiritual heir to the discontinued Hellcat line) is outfitted with a 6.4-liter V8 that can reach up to 475 horsepower.
That is a lot of power that you can enjoy in a mid-size SUV. Along with giving you the option of enjoying stellar towing capacity, the most powerful engine can get your 5,500-pound Durango from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds quite effortlessly. 
The Durango also has a good record with strong braking performance, smooth transmission shifts, and decent steering and handling, especially when considering the size of the vehicle. It’s been rated a cool 81/00 by JD Power for reliability and ranked #5 in upper midsize SUVs, which should put you at ease when it comes to longevity and safety concerns.
This SUV excels when it comes to storage. With all the seats folded, there are 84.5 cubic feet of space that you can make use of, with no shortage of cubbies and cup holders for all passengers. It has an excellent 8,700-pound tow rating as well.
Other features of the 2022 Durango are:
  • LED headlights and foglights
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
  • 8.4-inch touchscreen display
  • Six-speaker audio system with satellite radio
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Blind-sport monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Heated mirrors
Weaknesses include: 
  • Poor fuel economy especially with the V8s (only 15 mpg in combined driving)
  • Lack of the latest advanced driver safety features
  • Compared to other midsize SUVs, it is much bulkier when driving.

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

MSRP range: $80,995
MPG: 12-19 city/17-26 hwy
Seating for: Up to 7 passengers
Simply put, the Dodge Durango Hellcat is a muscle car in an SUV’s body. Capable of delivering stunning performance, the Hellcat is a boon for those looking for power and only power in their daily drivers. 
This is an older version of the Durango that was discontinued in 2022, with a trim that emphasized performance alongside functionality. The SRT Hellcat sports a monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that fetches up to 710 horsepower. This, along with the standard perks of all-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels. 
That kind of power can get you from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Keep in mind that this midsize SUV weighs 5,567 pounds and is as quick as high-output sports coupes like the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and goes toe to toe with the acceleration time of a BMW X5 M. If that’s not enough for you, it can also tow up to 8,700 lbs. JD Power puts it at 81/100 for reliability and ranks it #2 in upper midsize SUVs.
Spacing is this Durango’s strength as well. With the third row of seats folded, there are 43.3 cubic feet of space for you to play around in. The number jumps to 84.5 cubic feet with all the seats folded—and don’t forget the excess space that an 8,700-pound tow rating will get you. 
Highlights include: 
  • LED headlights and foglights
  • Three-zone automatic climate control
  • 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
  • Sports seats with upgraded leather
  • Bembo brakes and adaptive suspension 
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
  • 8.4-inch touchscreen display.
Weaknesses include:
  • Even worse fuel economy than the 2022 model at a combined 14 mpg
  • Very expensive starting price
  • Lack of advanced driver safety features

2022 Dodge Durango vs. 2021 Dodge Durango comparison

2022 Dodge Durango
2021 Dodge Durango
Starting MSRP
$37,760
$80,995
Seating capacity
Seven
Seven
Fuel economy
15 combined mpg
14 combined mpg
Base engine
3.6-liter V6 (295 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque)
6.2-liter V8 (710 hp, 645 lb-ft of torque)
Total cargo volume
84.5 cubic feet
84.5 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity
8,700 lbs
8,700 lbs
Reliability scores
81/100 (J.D. Power)
81/100 (J.D. Power)

The bottom line

The consensus on the Dodge Durango is this: if you’re looking for luxury, comfort, and pure quality, you’re better off looking at a competing product. If you’re looking at Dodge, chances are you’re instead looking for a taste of the performance the company is known for along with the functionality of a mid-size SUV. 
If you prioritize performance and nothing more, the Hellcat is the obvious choice. If you’re looking for the option with the best value, chances are you don’t need 710 horses to get you places. The 2022 Dodge Durango is definitely a more value-friendly option if you’re content with a small taste of muscle to supplement the performance of an above-average SUV. 
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Best midsize SUV competitors

The Durango is not without competition. Here are a few that try to match up with Dodge’s midsize line:
  • 2022
    Kia Telluride
    ($45,190 starting MSRP): Ranked 1 out of 13 in midsize 3-rows by Edmunds, the Telluride is known for its upscale cabin, impressive technology, and generous spacing.
  • 2022
    Honda Pilot
    ($47,170 starting MSRP): A versatile and roomy interior, smooth ride, and much better fuel efficiency than its rivals make the Pilot a much more compelling choice.
  • 2022
    Hyundai Palisade
    ($48,990 starting MSRP): Well-rated for comfort, fuel efficiency, and value; Hyundai’s worthy answer to Dodge.
MORE: Why you should consider an SUV over a sedan

How to save on Dodge insurance

Since the 2022 Durango is much newer, you can expect insurance costs to be higher as well. Annually, the 2022
Dodge Durango’s car insurance costs
will be roughly $700 more than its 2021 counterpart. While this may be one more reason to go with the Hellcat, it is also a good reason to look to save up on your insurance costs if you do choose the 2022 model.
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