REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Just plain common sense

The Dodge Durango is a sport utility that promises to offer more than the competition can deliver, and nothing less. More room, more power, a great towing capacity - all the attributes American buyers go for. It’s a compact SUV that behaves like a full-size model.To fool smaller counterparts and get bigger ones worrying, the Durango has a third, optional bench seat to accommodate a total of eight passengers. Only children will find the seat roomy enough, though to its credit it can be tucked away under the floor if needed, as is also the case with the Honda Odyssey. With a completely flat floor, you have a maximum of usable space for cargo. The Chrysler order book lists several configurations for the buyer to choose from, for example the choice between a full-size front bench seat or bucket seats. The instrument panel is an old friend, exactly the same one you’ll find in the Dakota truck.The Durango’s designers readily admit that they used the Dakota as their inspiration. As a result, it has the same high-performance engines, namely one of the two V8s (4.7L and 5.9L). Power is sent to the four drive wheels (the rear- wheel drive is only available in the united States) by a four-speed automatic transmission, which proved to be flawless. Incidentally, the 5.9-liter engine is relatively voracious but is very efficient when towing.

On the road, the Durango is astonishingly smooth. Despite its pickup truck origins, this sport utility handles surprisingly well and hugs the road reliably given the vehicle’s fairly high center of gravity. Only one flaw to report: a steering system that’s imprecise at center.

Roomier and more powerful than the compact sport utility vehicles currently on the market, but every bit as practical and more importantly not as bulky as the category’s giants (read: Explorer, Tahoe and company), the Durango is a common- sense choice.

PROS
New quieter, more efficient V8
Surprisingly good handling
Multiple configurations

CONS
Uncomfortable third seat
Gas-guzzling engines
Noisy original tires

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * *
Passenger: no data