Test Drive: 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat in Destroyer Grey

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

Class: Massive SUV

Miles pushed: 151

Gas used: 14.5 gallons

Actual-world gasoline financial system: 10.4

CG Report Card


Room and Consolation	B+
Energy and Efficiency	A+
Match and End	B+
Gas Financial system	D-
Worth	C-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup.

Large & Tall Consolation

Large Man	A
Tall Man	A

Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	710-hp 6.2-liter
Engine Sort	Supercharged V8
Transmission	8-speed computerized
Drive Wheels	AWD

Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway

EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 12/17/13 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)

Gas kind: Premium fuel required

Base worth: $80,995 (not together with $1495 vacation spot cost)

Choices on check car: Expertise Group ($2395), Premium Inside Group ($2495) low-gloss Gunmetal twin stripes by Mopar ($1195), Pirelli P-Zero 3-season tires ($595), Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection ($495)

Value as examined: $89,665

Fast Hits

The nice: World-beating acceleration for a big 3-row SUV; spectacular stopping energy and crisp dealing with for the dimensions

The great: Snug, spacious inside; muscle-machine seems and perspective

The not so good: Horrible gasoline financial system; efficiency suspension makes for a uneven experience; macho exhaust notice can develop tiresome on lengthy drives; regardless of good updates for 2021, primary Durango design is exhibiting its age

Extra Durango worth and availability info

John Biel

The Dodge Division of the final decade has demonstrated repeatedly that it lives by this straightforward rule: When unsure, throw extra horsepower at it. Something with an engine bay giant sufficient to accommodate a Hemi V8—and by technique of elimination that’s now every little thing within the model’s lineup—is a candidate to get the supercharged Hellcat model of that engine. That’s why the world of 2021 has a 710-horsepower sport-utility car.

The uber-performance SRT Hellcat mannequin debuts for 2021 as the brand new prime canine of the Durango lineup.

The brand new Durango SRT Hellcat builds on different muscled-up fashions Dodge has devised for its giant crossover SUV, then blows the highest off of them with its outrageous specs. Not the least of those particulars is its worth. The beginning tab, with supply, is $82,490 however the one which Client Information editors examined reached $89,665 with a few choice packages and a trio of stand-alone extras. Within the realm of 3-row SUVs, that’s the type of cash that conjures up ideas of premium-brand German automobiles.

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A redesigned, Dodge-Challenger-inspired dashboard is a focus of the ’21 Durango’s revamped inside. Dodge’s new Uconnect 5 infotainment system (with a ten.2-inch touchscreen) is a welcome improve over the 2020 mannequin.

Judging by just a few cursory figures—once more, certainly one of them being worth—the Durango Hellcat is a relative funds bomb. Excessive-performance V8 SUVs just like the Mercedes AMG GLE 63 S and BMW X5 M begin at greater than $100,000, however their respective horsepower peaks are 603 and—with elective Competitors package deal—617. Examine manufacturer-provided instances and the Dodge is quickest to 60 mph from a standstill. It has an extended 119.8-inch wheelbase and a 200.8-inch general size that’s 5.8 inches higher than both the GLE or X5. With all seats up, Durango’s 17.2 cubic ft of cargo capability tremendously lags the 2 German fashions, however that’s misleading as a result of whereas their primary designs have room for a 3rd row, the additional seats aren’t accessible within the efficiency jobs. With second- and third-row seats down, the 85.1 cubic ft of house within the Durango is probably the most by far.

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The Durango SRT fashions’ instrument panel has appropriately racy-looking graphics, together with a configurable heart gauge that may be toggled by way of a number of completely different readouts–together with (gulp) common and instantaneous gasoline financial system. The middle console is redesigned for ’21, and features a charging ports, a wi-fi charging pad, and a small storage tray. Distinctive solid carbon-fiber trim (seen right here subsequent to the cupholders) provides to the high-performance vibe.

Possessed of 710 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 640 lb-ft of torque at 4300 rpm, Dodge says the Durango Hellcat will cost from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and run the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds regardless of a listed curb weight of 5710 kilos. The 6.2-liter powerplant fires up with a roar by way of the efficiency exhaust system, then settles right into a menacing rumble that gives a bass line to the supercharger’s music. There’s no ready for response—the Hellcat accelerates enthusiastically with each little little bit of pedal journey, and your proper foot doesn’t even must be all the way in which to the ground earlier than you notice you’ve acquired a tiger by the tail. The 8-speed computerized transmission (with steering-wheel paddle shifters) gives fast, constructive downshifts for never-a-question-about-it passing.

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The entrance bucket seats are properly bolstered–sufficient to be supportive in aggressive cornering, however not so confining as to be uncomfortable on lengthy journeys. There’s good house for grownup passengers within the Durango’s second row.

Just like the 475-horsepower Durango SRT 392 that previously topped the efficiency pecking order (however stays accessible), the Hellcat comes solely with all-wheel drive. Traction is maximized by an digital limited-slip rear axle and launch management. Steering and a suspension with adaptive dampers are tuned to the Hellcat’s explicit capabilities. Journey is undeniably agency however not punishing, with a watch towards delivering higher dealing with than a large-ish SUV in all probability ought to have the ability to have. There’s good weight and precision to the steering, and Brembo 4-wheel disc brakes present the type of stopping energy one thing this massive and quick requires.

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The third-row seats are greatest suited to small passengers. There’s sufficient house behind the third-row seats–17.2 cubic ft–for a good-sized grocery run or a pile of the children’ sports activities gear.

In case you’re questioning what you would possibly do with all that energy at your disposal, the reply is you might tow one thing. The Durango Hellcat is rated to drag 8700 kilos. Is that the load of a small gasoline tanker? It wouldn’t harm, as a result of the EPA tasks that the Hellcat will make simply 12 mpg in metropolis driving, 17 mpg on the freeway, and 13 mixed. This reviewer recorded 12.2 mpg after driving 65 miles with 40 % city-type operation.

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Like its Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat counterparts, the Durango Hellcat packs a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8. Right here, it’s rated a 710 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Huge 20 x 10-inch wheels are normal.

Hellcat appearances aren’t far faraway from these of the SRT 392 that sells for $18,000 much less. They share a hood with a useful scoop, body-color wheel-lip moldings and rocker-panel aero extensions, and vivid dual-exhaust suggestions. Alloy wheels are 20 inches in diameter and 10 inches large. Nevertheless, the Hellcat has its personal wheel design, entrance splitter, and rear valance panel—and Hellcat head logos seem on the grille, energy liftgate, and entrance fenders.

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The Durango Hellcat seems comparable Durango SRT 392 (which has “solely” 475 horsepower), however these snarling-cat front-fender badges are a tip-off.

The identical diploma of similarity carries over into the inside. In each, upholstery is black suede with Nappa-leather trim and silver accent stitching; entrance sport seats have expanded facet bolstering; captain’s chairs populate the second row; and drivers grip a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Hellcat does have its personal emblem embroidered within the seat backs.

New to the standard-equipment checklist is the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, conspicuous by its 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Hellcat has the model with navigation. Audio inputs are straightforward to make on the display however profit from exterior tuning and quantity knobs. Twin-zone local weather management has a handy dial for setting fan pace, however quite a few buttons for different duties, together with repetitive-push “arrows” for temperature choice.

With a platform and dimensions basically the identical since 2011, there isn’t a lot to say about Durango room and luxury that we haven’t already mentioned in recent times. The BMW and Mercedes-Benz SUVs we talked about earlier than have comparable inside measurements regardless of their smaller footprints, and even greatest the Durango in shoulder room. However passengers within the Dodge gained’t discover themselves missing for headroom within the entrance two rows. The third row has sufficient legroom and seat peak for adults, however not as a lot headroom as in different seating rows. There are a number of useful storage items for private gadgets, and cup holders all through. The cargo bay has a good-sized bin below the ground. Tech updates by way of the years have introduced issues like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone functionality, wi-fi charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and entrance and rear parking help to the Durango, and so they’re normal on the Hellcat. Nevertheless, different now-common driving aids like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts come at additional value.

It’s arduous to say that the Durango completely wanted 700-plus horsepower. However being a modern-day Dodge, it’s simply as arduous to say that it might have prevented it.

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If the 475-hp Durango SRT 392 wasn’t rad sufficient for you, how in regards to the 710-hp Durango SRT Hellcat? You’ll pay considerably extra on the dealership and on the fuel station, after all, however the Hellcat delivers boffo acceleration, all-American muscle-car perspective, 8700-pound towing capability, and room for the entire household and their stuff.

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