2023 Dodge Durango SRT 392
Overview
By giving it the SRT 392 treatment, Dodge builds on the Durango’s main appeal—the allure of American muscle—by stuffing a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 under hood. The 392-cubic-inch pushrod engine, which is what this model’s name is derived from, offers up 475 horsepower, 470 pound-feet of torque, and a rumbling V-8 accompaniment. Coupled with a ZF 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive the powertrain can propel the nearly-5500-pound SUV to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. But the Durango SRT 392 is more than just a musclebound dragster; it can seat up to seven passengers and can tow up to 8700 pounds. If that weren’t enough capability already, this beefed-up model also features standard Brembo brakes and electronically adjustable adaptive dampers—all the hardware needed to get you to the grocery store and back in record time. If you want even more horsepower in your Durango, there’s the borderline-insane 710-hp Durango SRT Hellcat. But if you don’t need pavement frying power in your SUV, there’s a host of other compelling choices in this huge class, including greats like Kia Telluride, Hyundai Pallisade, and Mazda CX-9.
What’s New for 2023?
The Durango SRT 392 goes mostly unchanged for the 2023 model year save for four new exterior color options—Frostbite, Night Moves, Red Oxide, and Triple Nickel—which brings the total number of available hues up to nine. Notably, this year’s price hike pushes the 6.4-liter V-8-powered SUV over the $70,000 mark.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Standard features on the SRT 392 include navigation, heated and ventilated front seats covered in leather and microsuede, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and three-zone automatic climate control. Not many options are available, though buyers can opt for a Lighweight Performance Package which deletes the third row and replaces the second-row captain’s chairs with a 60/40 folding seat. A trailering package is also available, and equips the SUV with a trailer brake controller, a Class IV receiver hitch, and a wiring harness (7- and 4-pin).
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Durango SRT’s 6.4-liter V-8 gives it far more gusto than most people need in a three-row SUV. But we’re not most people, and if you’re reading this, you probably aren’t, either. The Durango SRT lays down its power in a smooth linear fashion. It is brutally quick, too, and sounds oh so glorious under heavy throttle. Come to think of it, the Durango SRT’s V-8 sounds throaty and thunderous even at half-throttle, which is good, because full-throttle situations on public roads lead quickly to “Sorry, officer” speeds. At the test track, the Durango SRT managed a blistering 4.1-second run to 60 mph, From behind the wheel, it’s easy to feel like a racing champion, even with the whole family onboard. No wonder, it defeated an Acura MDX Type S in a recent comparison test. The SRT’s steering is sharp and communicative, and the stiff suspension does a commendable job of disguising the Durango’s weight and high center of gravity. Over rough stretches of road, the ride is far from pillow soft, a trade-off for the performance-focused setup; the most aggressive Track mode feels downright punishing on all but the smoothest surfaces. But at least the Durango SRT can tow 8700 pounds.
More on the Durango SRT 392 SUV
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Sipping fuel is anything but the Durango SRT’s forte, and the 6.4-liter V-8’s 475 ponies are as thirsty in the Durango as they are in the Grand Cherokee SRT. The EPA estimates it’ll earn 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. We wish we could say the SRT brute-utes redeemed themselves in our real-world testing, but that’s not the case: They both delivered 18 mpg in our hands. For more information about the Durango’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The SRT is as roomy and family friendly as the normal Durango but features standard leather sport seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters. Both first- and second-row occupants get heated seats; the fronts are vented, too. It’s not the most voluminous SUV out there, but the Durango SRT accommodated a significant number of carry-on cases in our testing (26 with the back rows folded) and provided adequate in-cabin cubby space. This grocery getter will get the job done easily and in record time.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Displayed on a 10.1-inch touchscreen sitting prominently on the Durango SRT’s dashboard is Dodge’s version of the Fiat Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system. The software responds crisply to inputs and is very user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and navigation are standard here, and drivers also benefit from real-time traffic and weather updates courtesy of SiriusXM Travel Link. What sets the SRT’s system apart from those of lesser Durango models is the Performance Pages menu. This set of features allows users to monitor all sorts of car-geek data, such as horsepower, cornering g-force, and even acceleration-time stats. Think you can beat our 4.7-second 60-mph blast? Turn on the timer from the appropriate tab in the Performance Pages, set your launch control, and find out.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A handful of driver-assistance features are offered, but few are standard equipment. For more information about the Durango’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard rear automated emergency braking Standard automatic high-beam headlamps Available automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Dodge offers a wholly average warranty package for the Durango SRT, and none of its policies stand out as exceptional. However, buyers can purchase an extended warranty through their local Dodge dealership and can even select one that provides lifetime coverage for the Durango SRT. Be aware that such a warranty applies only to the first owner, however, and cannot be transferred to subsequent owners.
Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Dodge Durango SRT 392
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$74,250 (base price: $64,490)
ENGINE TYPE
pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection
Displacement
391 in3, 6410 cm3
Power
475 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
470 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero, 295/45R-20 (110Y)
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.8 in
Length: 200.8 in
Width: 76.4 in
Height: 72.1 in
Passenger volume: 141 ft3
Cargo volume: 17 ft3
Curb weight: 5457 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.1 sec
100 mph: 11.0 sec
130 mph: 22.1 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.0 sec
1/4 mile: 12.7 sec @ 106 mph
Top speed (C/D est): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 323 ft
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 13 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 17 mpg
Highway range: 410 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 15/13/19 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
