2021 DODGE DURANGO SRT HELLCAT 

Dodge has really carved out a niche for itself by offering affordable performance, and the 710hp Hellcat version of the Durango seems the perfect halo vehicle for these times.

By Isaac Bouchard

It was already a roomy crossover with seating for seven, one that rides and handles well, has an easy-to-fathom infotainment system and plenty of luxury and practicality baked in. And in 475hp, “392” form, it was a balanced, superb-sounding machine. To take it to the next level, SRT began by stuffing their signature Hellcat 6.4-liter, supercharged Hemi into the nose. Getting a cohesive package required beefing up the brakes with massive, 6-piston, 15.75in Brembos, honing the adjustable suspension to contain this kind of grunt (yet still sooth passengers) and making sure the steering was as good as could be. Mission accomplished, I’d say. The Durango Hellcat offers the performance of the top Euro superSUVs, yet costs 50 percent less. Its 3.6sec dash to 60 and 12sec quarter mile give its owner bragging rights, but it’s the refinement (aside from ever present supercharger wine) and large, practical interior that will keep him or her happy, long term. 

Dodge updated the interior on all Durangos, too, adding in their latest UConnect5 software running through a 10.1in screen, embedded in a stitched, soft-touch dash that makes the Durango almost feel worthy of its price. About the only sour note is the trim material, which looks—and is—obviously silk-screened plastic. Seating in all rows is roomy and more comfortable than many erstwhile competitors, and this SRT will ably tow up to 8,700 pounds. That brings us to an interesting conundrum. Just who are the rivals to a Dodge that costs almost a hundred-large? For that kind of coin, you could get a BMW X7 or Mercedes GLS (albeit the lower end models) or a Cadillac Escalade. None of these have the kind of performance the Durango Hellcat offers; to get that you need something like an AMG GLS63, which is another $60,000. It’s that value that led the original production run to sell out in mere minutes.  

While the Dodge name certainly doesn’t stand on equal footing with BMW or Benz, SRT engenders respect among car enthusiasts. Speaking as the former lucky owner of a BMW X5M, I wouldn’t feel in any way shortchanged by having a Durango Hellcat in my garage. 

EPA 12/17/13 

0-60 3.6sec  

Price $93,240  

Stars 4.5  

Here is what Dodge has to say. 

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Contact Isaac Bouchard for help saving time, money and hassle when buying or leasing one at [email protected]

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