2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Plus

　　

2023 Dodge Durango Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　, rating written byReese CountsAssociate Manager, Vehicle Testing and Operations

　　Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at zzdcar and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.

　　Dodge was one of the earliest automakers to see the potential of SUVs as family vehicles when the Durango debuted in the late 1990s. Now late in its third generation, the 2023 Dodge Durango competes for your attention among a much greater swath of models, as nearly every automaker has a three-row SUV in its lineup.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Plus 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$332/mo  for Durango SRT Hellcat Plus

　　Durango SRT Hellcat Plus

　　SRT Hellcat Plus 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) (Most Popular) - $97,740 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　There are some high points for the Durango. It has a bolder personality than the average family hauler, and that goes a long way toward making a practical vehicle feel less like an appliance. And when equipped with an available V8 engine — a big contributor to that personality — the Durango is capable of towing small to midsize trailers with ease. But it's also true that this generation Durango has been around for a long time, and its fuel economy and overall design are now behind the times.

　　For 2023, the Durango will once again be offered in SRT Hellcat guise, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 under the hood pumping out 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Durango SRT Hellcat debuted in 2021 and was supposed to only be around as a one-year model, but it has been revived to once again blow the top off the Durango's performance ceiling.

　　Rumors have it that a redesigned Durango is in the works, though it's unclear at this point when it will arrive. In the meantime, the 2023 Durango faces off against all-stars such as the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade and Volkswagen Atlas. Read zzdcar' Expert Rating below for our test team's take on what to expect when buying a Durango.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Durango drive? The Durango SRT, which is what we tested, is a testament to Dodge's commitment to performance. The engine is powerful, accelerating this 5,500-pound behemoth effortlessly to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Yet the Durango is also well mannered in everyday driving. Braking performance is strong and smooth.

　　The transmission's shifts are also buttery smooth and don't feel the least bit abrupt in stop-and-go traffic. Steering and handling are decent for a vehicle of this size and weight, but it does have its limits. Performance and everyday usability are rarely so even.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Durango? The seats in the Durango for all positions are roomy and comfortable. The first and second rows offer a good amount of legroom, while the third row can easily hold larger kids. The climate control works well with adequate airflow for all three rows.

　　The Durango SRT's ride, on the other hand, leaves a bit to be desired. While tolerable, it's not going to lull you to sleep on road trips. Road noise is omnipresent and so is the engine but that could be a welcome thing. The exhaust note is intoxicating.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below