The Dodge Durango is old, very old. The 2022 Durango has launched and it still rides on the 3rd generation guise that was introduced in 2011. That's over a decade old, and in the world of automobiles, it's never a good sign. It is an indication of either dwindling interest from customers or the automaker slowly giving up on the car.
But thankfully, Dodge hasn't been careless here and has packed the 2022 Durango with quite a few refreshing updates. The 2021 MY saw major exterior and interiors upgrades, along with new technology features. Dodge has made amendments again for 2022 but in terms of more standard safety and comfort features. The 2022 Durango continues to be gravely undercut by the likes of Hyundai Palisade, its twin - Kia Telluride, and Honda Passport.
But it remains a unicorn in the 3-row SUV segment, as it is both a comfortable and sensible SUV; and a brawny muscle car. The Durango continues to be known for its muscular stance and cozy cabin layout. With the standard-row seats for 2022, the versatility level has also been bumped up considerably. After 2022, things are also looking kind of brim for this muscle SUV as the Durango's end is near.
The 2022 Dodge Durango comes standard with 3-row seating, a faster Uconnect 5 interface; more standard comfort and safety features.
What Is New For The 2022 Dodge Durango?
Safety features have been given a bump for the 2022 Durango with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection coming in as standard. More standard comfort features have also come along in various degrees across the trim levels. The popular dark-themed Blacktop Packages now also come with the performance hood from the discontinued SRT Hellcat, and all-season performance tires.
Comes In 5 Trim Levels: SRT Hellcat Is Dead
The 2022 Dodge Durango comes in 5 trims - SXT, GT, Citadel, R/Y, and SRT 392. The SRT Hellcat Durango that lit the performance SUV space on fire has sadly been discontinued. This was expected as Dodge had already conveyed on its limited production numbers. So, now it is the SRT 392 that gets the tag of the fastest, most powerful 3-Row SUV of America.
2022 Durango Comes In 3 Engine Options
The award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that is the heart of various cars under the Stellantis group, continues to be the base engine for the 2022 Durango with 293 HP (for single exhaust SXT trim)/ 295 HP (for dual-exhaust GT and Citadel trims), and 260 lb-ft of torque. Next up is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that pumps out 360 HP and 390 lb-ft of torque.
This is standard on the R/T trim and optional on the Citadel. And for those who are addicted to power, the 6.4-liter SRT HEMI V8 steals the show with 475 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque. All these engines are coupled to an 8-Speed TorqueFltie automatic transmission and have AWD as standard.
2022 Dodge Durango Towing Capacity Still Impresses
The 2022 Durango continues its feat of pulling the world behind it. Thanks to the beefed-up R/T Tow N' Go package, the 2022 Durango provides the best-in-class towing capacity with 8,700 pounds. This figure is retained in the SRT 392 trim that packs the most powerful engine of this lot. As for the lower trims equipped with the humbler Pentastar V6, the towing capacity is maxed out at 6,200 pounds which is still very impressive.
2022 Durango Interior: Standard 3-Rows And Uconnect 5
The cabin gets no major overhaul in the 2022 Durango. But Dodge has dialed-up on the comfort and technology features here. All trims are now standard with 3-row seating with either a 7-seater or 6-seater configuration. Citadel and SRT 392 trims come with standard 2nd-row captain seats. The base trims (SXT and GT) now come standard with a power driver seat.
The Plus models of GT and R/T trims pack standard memory systems, cargo scuff plates, leather seats with suede inserts; and first and second-row heated seats. The other major update is on the technology front as the 2022 Durango now runs the much-improved Uconnect 5 interface. The base trims (SXT and GT) pack a standard 8.4-inch touchscreen which gets bumped up to 10.1-inch for the other trims.
Dodge indicates on the Uconnect 5 being five-time faster than the last generation. The software experience is much more intuitive and filled with easter eggs. The SRT 392 trims get a unique SRT "smoke show" start-up animation. Improved SRT Performance Pages are offered in the R/T and SRT 392 trims only.
2022 Durango Exterior: Down From 11 To 4 Colors
The exterior remains mostly unchanged with the only new addition being bright roof rails for all trim levels. Dodge has stacked up the popular Blacktop Package with a performance hood on the GT, and performance all-season tires on the GT and R/T trims.
There has been a downgrade here in terms of exterior color options. The 2022 Durango now offers just 4 choices - DB Black, Destroyer Grey, Octane Red, and White Knuckle. It used to be 11 options last year! Well, Stellantis had to make a harsh choice here.
More Standard Safety Features, Finally
Safety has been a weak link for Durango. But that has changed drastically for 2022 with more standard safety features on the table. Apart from the newly added Blind-spot Monitoring and Read Cross Path detection, other standard features include full-length 3-row side curtains, standard trailer-sway control, and Uconnect Access with '911' call and roadside assistance.
The Plus Group (GT and R/T) also packs new standard features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Advanced Brake Assist, and Lane Departure Warning Plus. Available features include Active Braking, Advanced Brake Assist, and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist.
Sources: Media.stellantisnorthamerica.com, Moparinsiders.com, Dodge.com