2017 Dodge Durango in Cornelius, NC - $14,500

Billed by the automaker as the "Dodge Charger of the Full-size SUV Segment", Dodge introduced the new Durango SRT SUV at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show back in February. The Durango SRT is set apart by new exterior performance features that include a wide body exterior design and functional SRT hood with a center air inlet duct flanked by heat extractors, as well as a new front fascia and lower valence to house new cold-air duct and LED fog lamps.

The large Dodge SUV is powered by a 6.4L HEMI V-8 engine and bolted to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. The automatic transmission has been specifically calibrated to optimize shift points and deliver maximum torque to all four wheels. A new SRT seven-mode drive system gives the driver the ability to precisely adjust drive settings to maximize performance or comfort. The new Sport Mode reduces shift times by up to 50 percent versus Auto Mode and delivers up to 65 percent of the 392 HEMI engine’s torque to the rear wheels. A new Track Mode delivers maximum performance track driving with 160-millisecond shifts and up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels for the most pronounced rear-wheel-drive experience.

As a result of all of the calibrated hardware, the Durango SRT boasts a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)–certified quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds and is capable of zero-to-sixty acceleration in 4.4 seconds.

As a novel bonus and a nod to the performance potential, all customers who buy a new Durango SRT will receive one full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

“The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America. “This is what you get, when you take everything great about the Durango and combine it with the performance of the Charger SRT: a 12-second quarter mile, toy-hauling, three-row muscle car.”

Control hardware consists of a short- and long-arm (SLA) independent front suspension with coil springs, specially tuned Bilstein adaptive damping suspension (ADS), upper- and lower-control arms (“A” arms) and a stabilizer bar. Additional changes include 3 percent stiffer front springs, 16 percent stiffer rear springs and an 18 percent stiffer rear sway bar to provide drivers with outstanding high-speed cornering capability.

In the rear, a specially tuned multi-link suspension design has coil spring, Bilstein ADS, aluminum lower control arm, independent upper links (tension and camber), plus a separate toe link, and a stabilizer bar.

Inside the refreshed passenger cabin, new appointments include a hand-wrapped dashboard with live silver accent stitch, SRT flat-bottom performance steering wheel with standard paddle shift, heated and ventilated front and heated second-row captain’s chairs with embossed SRT logos. Nappa leather with suede inserts and silver-stitched SRT logos are standard. Demonic Red Laguna leather interior with embossed SRT logos is optional.

Other luxurious touches brought to Durango for the first time in the SRT model include new Light Black Chrome center stack, HVAC, full console and door handle bezels along with two choices of decorative bezels. Standard finish is Matte Reverse Chain, and for the first time on Durango a true carbon-fiber instrument panel and door bezels will be offered (late availability). Premium velour bound floor mats with embroidered SRT logo are standard. Adding to the impact of the hand-wrapped instrument panel, the headliner and A pillars are available in Dynamica suede.

A newly designed 7-inch, thin-film transistor (TFT) customizable digital instrument gauge cluster with 180-mph speedometer allows drivers to select from a multitude of layouts and information. The class-exclusive Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen media center houses the new SRT Performance Pages along with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD radio, downloadable apps and 5-year trial of SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic. The standard BeatsAudio premium sound system features nine speakers, subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier.

Dimensions & Specifications
Wheelbase: 119.8; overall length: 201.2; width: 85.5; height: 71.9

Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8 – 475 hp at 6000 rpm and 470 lbs-ft of torque at 4300 rpm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Cargo capacity: 84.5 cubic feet
Payload capacity: 1,350 pounds
Towing capacity: 8,600 pounds