The 2014 Dodge Durango: What the critics say

Car and Driver

The Durango isn’t a giant among SUVs, but it’s “no shrinking violet.” Bigger than a Ford Explorer but smaller than a Chevy Tahoe, it’s been stylish and aggressive-looking since its 2011 makeover. And in its newest guise, this stylish, capable family hauler “cops even more attitude than before.” Note the lower grill, “squintier” headlights, and “hard-to-ignore” racetrack-style 192-LED tail lamp.

Autoweek

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“The big news,” though, has to be the transmission introduced for 2014. “In a word, the new eight-speed is excellent.” When paired with the base-level, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, it gives the Durango a tow rating of 6,200 pounds, providing all the power that most boat or camper owners will ever need. Wed to the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, the new gearbox is even more impressive—“assertive when it needs to be and smooth when it isn’t being assertive.”

The Boston Globe

Indeed, the 2014 is “like an entirely new vehicle.” That’s especially true inside, where the steering wheel, center stack, and center console all get a more refined look, and the rear passengers get two seat-back-mounted entertainment screens. Throw in Chrysler’s user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system, and the Durango becomes a “do-anything” vehicle and “the most compelling SUV in its class.”