I own a 2014 Durango. V6 8sp. The 8sp was new for 14. Have 67k miles on it. 20mpg with alot of city driving.
In 14 we drove everything including the 4 runner and highlander. IMO, the 4runner is "tougher" looking, but Toyota is just so far behind the times on interior, engines, and tech. What Toyota is great at is good solid comfortable boring vehicles. Only a few 4runners had the 3rd row(which was a must for us), and that 3rd row was completely unusable. Way way to small.
We then checked the Highlander. And on paper, I figured this it what we would buy. Going off the toyota "reputation"it should last for many trouble free years. But what we found was another boring Toyota, again IMO. Front row was very comfy, second row had more room than any 3 row SUV. The 3rd row was again utterly useless. I couldnt sit back there for 15 mins. Other than the 3rd row, and being boring, I still figured we would buy one. But dealer didnt want to "deal" so we went and tried a Durango.
The Durango was best bang for buck. Good comfy leather seats, good room in all 3 rows, I am fine in 3rd room for a few hours. IMO, it looks like a muscle car SUV. Not off road tough like the 4runner, but not boring or bland like every other SUV/CUV. For the amount of options you got for the $$$ it was better than all the rest. The 3.6 models all have 6200lbs towing with tow package. The 5.7 Hemi all have 7400lbs with tow package. I have only towed approx 3000lbs a few times. It does fine. But I also always have a 4dr pickup so we use the pickup. Like most, I always hear how Dodge reliability is not good. So I got the Maxcare lifetime warranty. I havent used it at all yet. IMO, the 3.6 and the 5.7 are both very underappreciated engines. Both get good mpg for what they are in( we have many hemi's in my family and they all get just as good mpg as Ford and GM trucks), and you dont see many issues with them like other manu's. Timing chains arent a problem, no DI issues, no major oil burning issues, etc. Look at other brands, compare their main problems vs Dodge main problems, and its clear, Dodge engines and transmissions are NOT any worse, and infact probably BETTER than many other brands, specially domestic brands.
BTW I own all 3 domestic brands, including a 18 3.5 Ecoboost. The last thing I am is brand loyal. I just tell it like it is.
Anyway, I have no idea if the Durango is right for you, the best thing you can do is drive it. But IMO, its one of the better vehicles in its class.
BTW all other brand and models we drove were not even close to the Highlander or Durango. Though we are most likely going to pull the trigger on a 4dr Wrangler Rubicon soon because my wife wants a toy. After driving a few, I wouldnt want to take it on an across the country road trip unless Im doing it off road.
