Why the Dodge Durango is the Perfect Road Trip Vehicle
If your family spends a lot of time road tripping, you know how important it is to choose the right vehicle. The wrong car can turn a fun family vacation into a grating, uncomfortable experience. If you are looking for the perfect car to take on a road trip with your camper, look no further than the Dodge Durango. With superior towing capabilities, significant cargo space, excellent entertainment options, and a quiet and comfortable interior, the Durango is the ideal match for your next road trip.
Towing and Payload Capacity
One of the most impressive and outstanding features of the Dodge Durango is its towing capacity. Models with the 6.4L HEMI V-8 boast a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. However, even less powerful models can still tow up to 6,200 pounds. Compared to other midsized SUVs, the Durango has one of the most powerful towing capacities. In fact, this midsize SUV can compete with the towing capacity of many full-size SUVs.
Why does this make the Durango perfect for road trips? For travelers hoping to tow an RV, boat, or trailer during their trip, but who don’t necessarily want the hassle of a truck or full-size SUV with an equivalent towing capacity, the Durango fills the gap. Unlike a pickup truck, the Durango can comfortably seat large families or groups hoping to travel together without sacrificing towing capacity.
In exchange for high towing capacity, the Durango sacrifices a bit in terms of fuel efficiency, but it still has a decent fuel efficiency rating of 8.1 out of 10 from US News. This tradeoff is ideal for those whose road trip goals include both towing a travel trailer and traveling comfortably with their whole family.
The Durango also has a payload capacity of 1,220 to 1,590 pounds depending on the model. For those not necessarily interested in towing but who do want to bring tents, bikes, or other outdoor equipment, there is plenty of capacity for everything you need for the perfect trip.
Cargo and Space
Another way the Dodge Durango ensures you can pack everything you need is through its large and flexible cargo capacity. The first and second row of seats have plenty of legroom (38 to 40 inches) while the optional third has the perfect amount of room for children or smaller adults (33 inches). With up to seven total seats, families can travel together without feeling cramped for hours on end.
Additionally, the second and third rows of seats fold down for more cargo space that can hold camping equipment, luggage, or anything else you may need for the perfect road trip. With 17.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row to 85.1 cubic feet of space when all rear seats are folded down, the Durango has a relatively large amount of cargo space for a midsized SUV. Its cargo space flexibility ensures that you can choose the unique seat to cargo space ratio that serves you best.
Entertainment Systems
No road trip is complete without entertainment! When you’re on the road for such a long time, being able to listen to your favorite music, audiobooks, or radio stations separates an unbearably long trip from one that passes in the blink of an eye. Since 2018, all Durangos come standard with the Uconnect Radio system. According to Car and Driver, the 2024 Durango’s Uconnect radio system is “one of the best infotainment systems on the market.” CarPlay and Android Auto are available in many models as well. With this excellent system at your fingertips, you and your family can fine tune your entertainment to whatever your trip calls for, whether that’s singing your hearts out or thoughtful discussion prompted by your favorite podcast.
Comfort
No one likes feeling sore after spending hours in an uncomfortable car or dealing with their ears still ringing from the roar of the highway. That’s why it’s important that the suspension and bump absorption on the Durango have excellent reviews, with reviewers praising its ability to “keep the ride smooth over imperfect roads.” Although this might seem like a minor point, being jostled for hours on end on a long road trip can add up and turn what is supposed to be a fun experience into a miserable one. It can’t be overstated how much of a difference good suspension makes for passengers during long trips.
The interior of the Durango also absorbs sound well, even at high speeds. It is considered better than average for a midsized SUV in this area despite its powerful engine. A quiet interior may not be the first thought of many when considering which cars would make for a good road trip, but again, many little aspects add up to create the difference between a mediocre trip and one that the whole family can look back on fondly. Instead of arriving with soreness and ringing ears, you can arrive ready to take on your next adventure after having spent a pleasant trip resting or connecting with those you love.
Safety Features
One final important consideration for road trip cars is safety features. The Durango’s standard features include blind spot detection and trailer sway damping, which is especially important for those towing campers. Available features include adaptive cruise control, blind spot with trailer detection, and lane departure warning, all of which are incredibly helpful on lengthy trips where it may be easy for lapses in focus to occur. With these features, you can rest easy knowing that should you make a mistake, there is a safety net protecting you and your travel companions.
For added peace of mind, a Dodge Extended Warranty gives you relief against covered mechanical or electrical breakdowns and can include roadside assistance if needed. In case the worst happens during your road trip, you can rest assured that you will receive all the assistance you need without the worry associated with expensive repairs.
Conclusion
The Dodge Durango is the perfect road trip vehicle for families looking to camp across the country. By combining power and comfort, the Durango guarantees that you never have to choose between a vehicle with the power to tow your camper or a vehicle in which your family will find comfortable enough to spend hours on end.
