Ace of Base: 2018 Dodge Durango SXT 4×2

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

In Monday’s QOTD (which garnered more comments than any other post in recent memory – for this, we thank you) I opined that a base Durango would be my selection given a sudden bank error of $34,000 in my favor and a command to buy something that’ll last me the next 10 years. I also enjoyed some of your selections, by the way.

Digging into the Durango’s build-and-price tool, I found more to like than expected. No, it’s not the best of its range (that honor is reserved for the gonzo 475 hp SRT version) but it certainly makes a case for itself compared to non-‘roided out Durango SUVs.

By the way, did you know the Chevy S-10 used to have a Durango trim level? This brain remembers the word splashed along the S-10 flanks in a fantastic font, shown below in all its ‘90s glory.

The modern Dodge Durango is one of the better-looking large SUVs out there, with the traditional gunsight grille and an appropriate selection of colors beyond the greyscale. Power is made by the proven Pentastar V6, cranking out as near as makes no difference 300 horsepower while hooked to an eight-speed automatic. This allows a towing capacity of 6,200 lbs, a figure that eclipses a Ram pickup equipped with the same engine and economy-minded rear end gears. One should pick up the $995 towing package if they plan to do heavy hauling.

Uconnect remains one of the better infotainment systems around, with a logical layout and rapid responses. FCA sees fit to endow the base Durango with a 7-inch unit, to which I say: why not simply install the 8.4-inch screen? I’m sure some bean counter in a stuffy, windowless conference room has a deck of PowerPoint slides to explain why. Nevertheless, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on board.

Push button start, leather-wrapped wheel, and fog lamps are all evidence that the Ace of Base shopper can benefit from economies of scale. These items are generally reserved for higher-spec machinery, after all. Switch blanks inside a car are one thing. But sad black plastic covers the holes where fog lights are supposed to be? That’s advertising to the world you’re a cheapskate. Not kosher at all.

Base Durango machines have seating for five, binning the third-row and leaving real-world space for all of life’s flotsam and jetsam. A trio of vividly-named colors, something that’s become a hallmark at Dodge, are offered gratis in addition to the boring greyscale. Blu By You, Redline, and Octane Red Pearl are all nods’n’winks to folks who remember when the company slathered their hot rods with eye-popping paint.

Why select the Durango over its Grand Cherokee cousin? The GC also looks the part, and may even hang onto a few more dollars of value thanks to the residual glow from the Jeep brand, but I think the Dodge packages its interior better, particularly ahead of the gear lever. That’s one of the t-handle units, not a rotary dial.

It’s no 425 hp SRT, but a $29,995 Durango SXT puts forth enough kit and color to make the Ace of Base grade.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Not every base model has aced it. The ones that have? They help make the automotive landscape a lot better. Any others you can think of, B&B? Let us know in the comments. Naturally, feel free to eviscerate our selections.

The model above is shown with American options and is priced in Freedom Dollars. As always, your dealer may sell for less.

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Kevin512 Kevin512 on Jun 13, 2018

    I purchased a 2014 Durango SXT+ AWD (added popular equipment group, and towing package) in 2014 for $32,xxx. What a great value. I was worried about the reliability of a Dodge, but it has been rock solid. My only "repair" has been one $5 turn signal bulb after four years and 79K miles. Still has original brake pads. My only complaint about the vehicle was the terrible OEM tires (Kumho Solus), but that was easy to fix. The other vehicles that I considered were the Explorer, Pilot, & Highlander, but the Durango was easily my favorite and also the least expensive.

    • See 7 previous
    • Arach Arach on Jun 14, 2018

      @DeadWeight Safer? The Santa Fe is an IIHS Top Safety Pick + and is considered one of the safest cars on the road. The Durango gets low marks for both headlights and the small-overlap front and isn't recommended. Hyundai definitely wins the safety rating. I couldn't even find something called "NIHS". 20% off sticker? lol... maybe I need to look around more. I like the durango because its so much cheaper, but the Santa Fe is safer, and more reliable based on all the researdch I've done.

  • Arach Arach on Jun 14, 2018

    Since this is and old post, I'm subscribing and hoping @ddr777 can get back to me. Side note, I don't know what DDR777 stands for, but I can't help but think you are claiming to be the Dance Dance Revolution God... haha. I'm sure there's no way thats possible.

  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
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