Drive Notes: 2024 Dodge Durango Alchemi
Today I have a 2024 Dodge Durango Alchemi (we're not going to follow Dodge's capitalization on this one, we typically don't follow the OEMs' style, though there are exceptions) parked in my garage.
It's one of only 1,000 that will be/have been built.
This is the first in a series of "Last Call" models Dodge/Stellantis is producing to mark the end of the Hemi's run. This one has a 6.4-liter V8 underhood making 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Alchemis are marked by honeycombed stripes with yellow accents, yellow calipers for the Brembo brakes, 20-inch black wheels, special interior stitching, and a leather/suede steering wheel. Four paint colors are available to chose from -- this one is Destroyer Gray.
The base here would be the SRT 392 at $74,995, with $14,800 in options, plus paint and destination, bringing the price to $91,785.
Let's get to the pros and cons, shall we?
Pros
- It will surprise no one that the engine is a "pro". There's tons of power on tap for passing, merging, or just having fun when you get a wild hare. Oh, and it sounds good, too.
- The Brembos are stout and smooth.
- SRT tuning makes the lumbering Durango handle a bit better than it should, especially in Sport mode.
- I like how Stellantis sets up all its performance or off-road vehicles with unique screens accessible via UConnect.
- Interior controls are easy to use and there are plenty of knobs and buttons. It's old-school in a good way.
- It's roomy.
- In general, the Durango works well as a people/stuff mover.
- UConnect remains awesome.
- The third row can, barely, accommodate larger adults.
Cons
- The ride is, unsurprisingly, on the stiff side.
- Fuel gets sucked down at a prodigious rate, though four-cylinder mode helps when highway cruising.
- Access to the third row is tricky for an adult.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay disconnected twice. Oddly it was in the same part of town.
- The Alchemi is more of an appearance package than outright performance package, but then again, starting from SRT roots is a good place to begin.
I found myself mostly liking the Alchemi, but more for what it does as a large SUV than for performance fun. Sure, the V8 sounds awesome and the power is more than appreciated. But in living with the vehicle for a few days now -- and putting in some serious freeway time -- I've been appreciating what it does as a people mover and luggage hauler even more than I appreciate the power punch.
If you like owning a limited-production vehicle with special graphics, this is for you. Otherwise you'd be just as happy with an SRT Durango -- or maybe just any Durango.
[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
More by Tim Healey
Comments
Join the conversation