Dodge Durango Interior Review – Sharp and Sporty
The Durango is a popular car and for good reason. It’s stylish, sporty, and comfortable as well as the Dodge Durango interior being just as nice as the outside. There are plenty of features to keep you entertained on long trips. Plus, the seats are comfortable and offer lots of support. If you’re looking for a great SUV that has a sharp and sporty interior, the Dodge Durango is definitely worth considering.
The new Dodge Durango isn’t class-leading in passenger or cargo space, but it offers a better cabin than ever before. The Durango is worth a place on your shortlist with seating for up to seven in three rows, loads of tech features from the middle of the range, and a great infotainment setup.
Still part of the third-generation introduced way back in 2011, the Durango has received some much-needed updates for 2021. Are these enhancements enough to keep it relevant, though, or are you better off looking elsewhere for a family SUV? Read on to find out.
Dodge Durango Interior Review
Although the Durango classifies as a midsize SUV, the family carrier is more than adequate at providing space for the larger family. And, with updates for 2021, the Dodge Durango interior has received some TLC and is better than ever.
Offering loads of impressive features to ensure comfort and convenience, the Dodge Durango works well if you have a small or medium-sized family. The interior is spacious and has various seating options, including a third row.
Interior Dimensions and Space
In order to seat up to seven people, the Dodge Durango interior dimensions need to be conducive to space and comfort. As such, headroom and legroom up front are ample, with 39.9 inches and 40.3 inches available, respectively.
The second row offers relatively roomy accommodations, too, and you can switch out the second-row bench for captain’s chairs. While it reduces maximum seating capacity to six, it is much more comfortable for the middle row.
As is the case in most three-row midsize SUVs, the back seats are pretty tight when optioned on and should generally only be used for children. Extended trips for adults will undoubtedly result in complaints if you stick them back there.
If you need to use child car seats, the Durango comes with a complete set of LATCH connectors for both outboard seats in the second row and tether anchors in the center of the second row and the rear seat. The IIHS doesn’t rate these as particularly easy to use, however.
Cargo Space and In-Cabin Storage
Admittedly not the Durango’s strongest suit, cargo space is average for the segment. Behind the third row, you have access to 17.2 cubic feet, while folding that down opens up 43.3 cubes. Maximum space comes in at 85.1 cubic feet, which is practical but not class-leading. Still, it’s better than a sedan.
To keep your phone, keys, wallet, and other knick-knacks safe, there are a few nooks and crannies around the cabin that are pretty useful. Up front, there’s an improved storage bin in the center console, a lockable glovebox, large door pockets, and a tray ahead of the shifter.
Fitting the captain’s chairs adds another armrest with a storage cubby and cupholders for the second row.
Dodge Durango Interior – Seating and Upholstery
The Dodge Durango interior feels decidedly sporty and has a much nicer overall look than it has in the past. This year, the refreshed interior offers more soft-touch surfaces, with high-traffic areas covered in hard-wearing materials to ensure longevity.
Naturally, base models feel less plush than those higher up in the range. The entry-spec trims have standard cloth seats while moving up through the trim levels equips leather and suede bucket seats and more power adjustments for the driver and front passenger.
Nappa leather is standard on Citadel models. Near the top of the lineup in SRT derivatives, high-performance leather with heated and ventilated seats makes an appearance, as does a heated steering wheel. You also get heating for the second row of seats and memory for the driver’s seat at the top-end of the range.
Tech And Audio
When it comes to Dodge Durango interior accessories, there’s loads of value to be had. Naturally, the best of what Dodge has to offer comes up in the more expensive trim levels, but that doesn’t mean the lower-end models don’t have something to offer.
The standard sound system at the entry point to the range is a six-speaker Alpine unit that plays your favorite tunes for you. The infotainment system runs off an 8.4-inch touchscreen display which operates the updated Uconnect 4 system for the new year.
You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto right off the bat, as is SiriusXM. From the R/T trim, you also get standard navigation, an HD radio, a 506-watt amplifier, and three additional speakers, including a subwoofer. A larger 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot are standard.
The Citadel and SRT models feature the upgraded Uconnect 5 software and a disassociated touchscreen display, which is the best the automaker has to offer.
Comfort And Convenience
The Dodge Durango interior keeps things temperate to ensure all passengers are comfortable. Tri-zone automatic air conditioning is standard, with vents in the rear, too. There’s also air filtering capability across the range for those living in dusty areas or suffering from allergies.
The cabin has power accessories for all windows, and illuminated cupholders make it easy to find where to stash your beverage in low-light conditions. You also have access to a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet in the front and a 12-volt socket in the rear.
Mid-range models also have a universal garage door opener, but you do get an automatic dimming rearview mirror as standard. A power sunroof is also available and adds a nice airy feeling to the cabin. Lastly, wireless charging is the easiest way to keep your cellphone going on top-end models.
Overall Impressions
The Dodge Durango isn’t the most modern SUV on the market, but there’s lots of value. Getting in and out isn’t a problem either, as the doors open wide. The second row tumbles forward for easy access to the third row. As such, this is an ideal family vehicle that will safely house between five and seven occupants in comfort.
The final key point that adds to the Dodge Durango interior appeal is that visibility is excellent, despite thick pillars making it a little tricky. The standard rearview camera helps to mitigate this, and the broad range of adjustment on the front seats means most drivers will be able to get comfortable.
Our Verdict on the Dodge Durango Interior
Compared to the 2020 Dodge Durango interior, there’s loads of improvement worth mentioning. The whole approach of the cockpit is more driver-centric, with key touchpoints angled towards the driver. This helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road and makes it feel much more contemporary.
The fully refreshed infotainment system that is said to be five times faster than the previous model year goes a long way to making the 2021 Dodge Durango interior feel like a tech-savvy place to be. What previously could’ve been considered a dated cabin now feels like a premium space, which is nicer to spend time in than ever before.
Although we feel the Durango isn’t the freshest SUV in the segment, it has its charms. The interior is good rather than excellent, so if you’re looking for a reason to buy one, start with what’s under the hood, which is where its natural allure lies.
