Dodge And Chrysler, Two Fantastic SUVs

Copyright (c) 2012 Peer Merx

The 2012 Dodge Durango is a clear winner when it comes to the SUV market in that it clearly has something for everyone without eschewing what it is that makes an SUV unique. Sharing its running gear and platform technology with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Detroit-built Durango has the following merits that earn it a place as the Best SUV 2012 has to offer: ample ability & performance, reliability, stunningly excellent looks, utility, safety, and a fantastic value.

In the ability department, the Durango’s Pentastar V6 displaces 3.6L, however the advanced engine produces 290 horsepower at 6400 RPM and a potent 260 lb-feet of torque at a lowly 4800 RPM. It is worth noting that the torque and horsepower curves still provide a fantastic deal of potency at the sub-2000 RPM range that is critical for towing.

In circumstance, Chrysler claims that 90% of maximum torque is available all the path from 1600 RPM up to the 6400 RPM peak. Those consumers that are serious about ability and towing will desire to capture a gaze at the revamped 5.7L V8 Hemi that produces a thunderous 360 horsepower at only 5150 RPM and a tree-trunk yanking 390 lb-feet of torque at a generously low 4250 RPM.

Dodge has never been known for reliability, however the entire Chrysler family has been making enormous strides in this area in order to shore up a serious deficiency. While the verdict is outside on the overall reliability of the fresh Dodge Durango for a hardly any more years, the fit and end speak volumes of the progress the entire Dodge family has made.

Add to this the proven track record of its simple to abuse platform mate, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it seems like a safe bet to declare the Dodge Durango a massive leap forward in terms of build quality and design. It may not yet be ready to challenge the Toyotas and Hondas of the earth, however the fresh Dodge has a abundance going for it.

One of the things that the fresh Durango has going for it is a fantastic looking body. Gone are the mini-semi looking headlight flares that never quite captured the ponderous gaze of the RAM front end. In its place is a very elegant and clean design that still manages to pack in a reasonable amount of that Dodge attitude that the brand is so fond of marketing.

The excellent looks carry over into the inside of the vehicle where soft touch materials are available much on the lowly Express trim level all the path up to the aptly named Citadel.

Never before has a 3-row SUV looked or felt this comfortable at this value mark, or been packaged so tightly. Competitors such as those from Detroit rival Chevrolet manage to bracket the Dodge Durango, such as the larger however less comfortable Tahoe, or the less capable however more comfortable Traverse crossover.

This brings up an brilliant mark about the Duragno: it never sacrifices its truck-based SUV utility to save a penny or a pound. Much the V6-equiped models can town a very generous 6200 lbs while the Hemi-powered Durangos can tow 7400 lbs. Compare this to the Ford Explorer’s 5000lb, and the Durango seems as might as it looks.

Only a very well equipped Tahoe can tow more, however the value per additional towable pound is outrageous and the difference is a mere 1100 pounds and the circumstance that the Durango is downright nimble compared to the ponderous Tahoe, and only those that have the extra money to burn would much consider the Tahoe seriously.

Additional utility comes in the form of the storage options which comprehend a sub-deck storage bin and an ample 85 cubit feet with both sets of rear seats folded down. Dodge claims that this is enough to room to stuff a 6-foot couch into the rear of a 2012 Durango, and that claim seems like it would hold aqua upon visual inspection of the cavernous rear cargo bay.

Much with all three rows of seats up, the sub-deck storage and rear storage room are sufficient for shopping or much for an outside of town getaway with a hardly any large pieces of luggage. Creature comforts such as cup holders, storage bins, a ability rear litigate with remote control, and more are all available as well.

Bundle all this up in a vehicle with a solid frame, over a dozen airbags, electronic stability, four-wheel anti-lock breaks, and a bevy of high-tech accident avoidance features, and it is dense to tell if ability, looks, utility, or safety are the prime focus of the engineers that made the fresh Durango.

One body is clear: the best SUV 2012 has to offer is a fantastic value. Starting wit the RWD Express that comes in at just under the $30,000 mark all the path up to a loaded Citadel that starts at just over the $42,000 mark, it is dense to argue that you do not get more than you pay for with the fresh Duragno.

Dodge has something to prove, and it is doing it in the corporation’s typical bold fashion by offering an incredible deal on a vehicle destined to become legendary. It is also worth noting that the Hemi V8 is not all about ability, however it can really be quite fuel efficient when cruising on level ground thanks to Chrysler’s cylinder deactivation technology, and that helps increase mileage to 14/20, while the V6 still manages 16/23. Try getting that with a fully-equipped Tahoe!

Peer Marx is an author on various blogs about SUVs and cars. He is expert in large suvs such as best suvs of 2012 and 6 passenger suvs. Read more from him on http://www.bestsuv2012.com